James Spader is talking about season 8 of The Office and what you can expect from his character. Check out the spoilery details about Robert California and the season 8 premiere! [SPOILERS AHEAD]

Spader on Robert California:

“He’s a sort of strange guy, and his enigmatic qualities are a good thing. Everybody is trying to get to know who he is and what his juxtaposition is to the rest of the office. The characters are and the writers and cast members as well. And I’m hoping that’s going to be the fun of the season.”

“Robert California is there much more. He doesn’t have an office, really. He catches a desk where he can. Already we’ve also gone out on locations…This is entirely different from [The Practice and its spin-off, Boston Legal]. That was a hour-long show that when I joined, it was a tiny office with four people. This is an office with 18 people and is a half-hour show. I’m really learning who this character is in snippets.”

“They didn’t just want to bring in a new Michael Scott. There’s not an attempt to fill those shoes. That is something that I think they’re allowing a certain amount of flexibility on, not unlike the end of last season. The show is very balanced right now and they want to utilize the ensemble cast.”

If that’s not all, here are the spoilerific details about what happens on the season 8 premiere episode:

“Spader’s persuasive and mysterious character Robert California is appointed CEO of Dunder Mifflin and, during a visit to the Scranton branch, accidentally leaves behind a piece of paper. There’s a line down the middle of it, with the names of every Scranton staffer either on one side of the line or the other. Employees go into a frenzy trying to figure out: What does this mean?”