'The Office': James Spader officially hired as new CEO

Meet the new boss, very much not the same as the old boss.

James Spader, who guest-starred on "The Office" season finale in May, will become a full-time member of the cast in the fall, NBC says. As reported earlier, his character, Robert California, will be the new CEO of Dunder Mifflin's parent company Sabre.

"James will reprise his role as ... this uber-salesman that has a power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior," executive producer/cast member Paul Lieberstein says. "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 has won three Emmys for his work on "The Practice" and "Boston Legal," and while the latter series had a large comedic element, "The Office" will be his first regular role in a comedy series.

With Spader as the new CEO, the job of Scranton branch manager remains open. "The Office" reportedly still has an option of Catherine Tate, who also guested on the Season 7 finale, but is also considering promoting an established character.

What do you think of the casting of Spader? Is he a good fit for "The Office"?