Television July 06, 2011
James Spader Is 'The Office' Bound
Actor James Spader has officially joined the cast of "The Office," to play the CEO of Sabre -- parent company of Dunder Mifflin, NBC announced Wednesday.
The former "Boston Legal" star made an indelible impression in "The Office" finale last season, guest-starring as a potential replacement for the departing Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell. Watch the episode!
Producer Paul Lieberstein, who plays HR rep Toby Flenderson on the sitcom, said in a statement, "James will reprise his role as Robert California, an uber-salesman who has the power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior."
Lieberstein added, "He'll have been hired over the summer as the new manager, but within hours, got himself promoted. Within days, he took over the company. James has an energy that is completely his own, and 'The Office' has no tools for dealing with this guy. We're thrilled he's joining our cast."
Spader, 51, will replace actress Kathy Bates, who played the stubborn Jo Bennett, freeing up the actress to concentrate on her starring role on the NBC legal show, "Harry's Law."
No word yet on who will replace Carell full-time, but from those who made appearances in the finale, include Ray Romano, British comic Catherine Tate, Will Arnett and Ricky Gervais -- who created the original UK version of the comedy on the BBC.
