NBC confirmed Monday that James Spader will not return for more “The Office” next season.
After stealing the show in last season’s star-studded finale as the enigmatic Robert California, Spader joined the show as a regular for its current eighth season. He was only contracted for fifteen episodes, and per his own decision, he will not extend his deal to cover next season.
Though Spader has shown glimpses of brilliance in his role and delivered a few strong monologues, his character never seemed to find a comfort zone within the show’s long-standing dynamic. The past few episodes, which have not featured Spader, have represented the best creative stretch of an uneven eighth season.