Why did James Spader leave The Office after a single season? James Spader came in as Robert California to fill the void left by the exit of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott at the end of season 7; however, the actor himself left after season 8. Airing from 2005-2013, the beloved mockumentary lasted for nine seasons. It is an adaptation of the BBC series of the same name. Dunder-Mifflin’s regional manager Michael Scott was at the heart of The Office for seven years, but Carell was ready to move on before the series concluded, so Michael moved to Colorado to be with the love of his life, Holly.
It seemed as though Spader’s eccentric new chief executive, Robert California, was meant as a sort of replacement. Though not all viewers felt that he truly fit in, many were still surprised to see the veteran actor leave The Office after a single season.
THR reported that according to showrunner, Paul Lieberstein - who fans know better as Toby - Spader’s exit wasn’t exactly a surprise. He explained Robert California helped in “the transition to the post-Michael Scott years.” Apparently, from the time negotiations began, there wasn’t much talk of plans for California beyond season 8. In fact, Spader originally signed on for just two scenes in the season 7 finale. However, the “life and intrigue” that the actor brought to the series is what made Lieberstein want to keep him around. Even still, Spader never wanted his arc to last more than a year.
Although James Spader's Robert California was a fun character, there’s no denying The Office was a somewhat different show after Carell’s exit. Many fans stuck with the series until the final episode, though there were plenty of viewers who felt that it should’ve ended with Carell’s departure. Though it took some serious convincing to bring him back, Carell did return briefly for the series finale.
The Office may have ended its run six years ago, but it still remains the most popular show on Netflix. Despite this, the series will be leaving the streaming service after 2020 to stream exclusively on NBCUniversal’s own platform. The show retains a passionate fanbase, due in large part to its rewatchability. However, its immense popularity must mean the show is still attracting new viewers as well and with nine seasons to binge, there are plenty of episodes to keep people watching. The Office had the perfect mixture of heart and humor. It will always be a classic not just for that reason, but because everyone can relate to workplace struggles.