THE OFFICE Star and Producer Paul Lieberstein to Exit Show

As first reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Paul Lieberstein, executive producer, writer and co-star of the NBC comedy series THE OFFICE will leave his position in order to focus on an upcoming NBC Rainn Wilson spinoff. The actor, who currently serves as head writer and producer of the show, stars as 'Toby', head of Human Resources at the show's fictional Dunder Mifflin Corporation. 

The potential spinoff would feature Rainn Wilson's character, Dwight Schrute, as a farmer outside of Scranton, PA. Previous episodes of the hit NBC comedy have depicted Schrute's family background as beet farmers who manage a bed & breakfast in the outskirts of the city.

NBC is planning a pilot episode of the proposed series which would air later this season. If it proves successful, it would become a midseason replacement for the network in 2013. Wilson would appear in his role on THE OFFICE for the fall season, before transferring over to his new series later in the year. Lieberstein would serve as showrunner of the new series but may also remain involved in the behind-the-scenes activity of The Office. 

The NBC comedy may also be losing another of its stars, Mindy Kaling, who was recently given the greenlight from FOX for a comedy pilot of her own. If the network decides to turn her project into a series, Kaling would leave her post at NBC. 

However, The Office stars John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer are currently negotiating deals to stay with the NBC sitcom through its upcoming ninth season. Earlier this month, Helms told the Reporter, "Well I think obviously Steve [Carell] left last year and it just opened up all kinds of possibilities and opportunities not just for myself but the whole cast. I think any time the boat is rocked, it's a good thing and an exciting thing and an opportunity."

Photo credit: Chris Haston/NBC