Great minds want to know: What will happen on The Office now that Michael Scott is no longer in charge?
Vulture met up with Producer Paul Lieberstein (who also plays Toby Flenderson) at the TV Critics Association press tour earlier this week and got the scoop on the arrival of James Spader on the set and all things Dunder-Mifflin.
Here are a few of the revelations:
When will we know who Michael Scott’s replacement is?
We’re not playing out the cliffhanger beyond the cold open. Then we’re done, and it’s a new dynamic.
On how many episodes James Spader will star in:
Paul Lieberstein: “He’ll be in at least fifteen episodes. I love what he’s doing to the cast and our characters. He’s kind of scaring them. He’s bringing out a new side of them and pushing them in ways we haven’t seen in eight years.”
On Pam’s second pregnancy:
Paul Lieberstein: “He’ll be in at least fifteen episodes. I love what he’s doing to the cast and our characters. He’s kind of scaring them. He’s bringing out a new side of them and pushing them in ways we haven’t seen in eight years.”
On Pam’s second pregnancy:
She will be six months along at start of season. As for her marriage to Jim, Lieberstein hints at some trouble in paradise: “It’s not serious trouble. But they have to go through things; all relationships do. It’s really hard with two kids. Jim’s going to maybe not want to go home so early.”
When will we know who Michael Scott’s replacement is?
We’re not playing out the cliffhanger beyond the cold open. Then we’re done, and it’s a new dynamic.