James Spader Joins 'The Office,' but Not Replacing Steve Carell

Though the Dunder Mifflin manager position is still open on The Office after Steve Carell’s departure, James Spader is joining the show as a new CEO. NBC confirmed Wednesday that Spader will reprise his role as Robert California, who will replace Kathy Bates' Jo Bennett as the CEO of Sabre, Dunder Mifflin’s parent 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,” one of the series’ executive producers told Entertainment Weekly.