Though reports have surfaced numerous times over the past few weeks as we approach the series finale of The Office, just today former star Steve Carell explained in his own words why he won’t return.

Fans had hoped Carell would make a cameo to say goodbye to the series that he had helped turn into a huge success for NBC. Over the past few years since his departure, the show has had several high and low points.

“I just didn’t think it was right for the character, because that character had had an arc within the story and kind of grew and sort of evolved past the idea of the documentary,” Carell said to Access Hollywood at Sundance. “I’m really good friends with everybody on the cast and with [executive producer] Greg Daniels and I want to go back [to the set] to say, ‘Hi,’ certainly, before it all ends, but I just thought, in terms of the character, it didn’t make sense.”

Most agree that a return wouldn’t fit well into the show unless, of course, it was a very small cameo. Hypable commenter Kevin said in our previous story that his character could be seen taking a phone call from someone within Dunder Mifflin who was seeking advice.

NBC’s Entertainment President suggested that Carell would not return in an interview earlier this month. Iron Man director Jon Favreau will direct the show’s finale. Edit: He will direct one of the final episodes – it is not known if he’s directing the finale exactly.

The question was posed to Carell as he promoted his new film The Way Way Back.