A well-known actor’s name has surfaced for a key role on NBC’s “The Office,” reports EW.com’s Inside TV blog. Talks are focused on the job of company CEO–not on the job of Dunder Mifflin manager previously held by Steve Carell.

The show’s producers are reportedly negotiating with three-time Emmy winner James Spader to replace Kathy Bates, who may exit the show to focus on the second season of "Harry’s Law.” Bates has performed on "The Office" as a guest star, although Spader would appear weekly on the show, the story notes.

Spader established a solid film career, including roles in features such as “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” “Less Than Zero” and “Wall Street,” before becoming a TV fixture in ABC’s “Boston Legal”–a role that has won him three Emmys for lead actor in a drama.

The “Office” deal isn’t done and scripts haven’t yet been written for the show’s eighth season, which begins production in a month, the article adds. The plan is for Spader’s character, called "Robert California," to accept the job as Dunder Mufflin’s Scranton manager, but then to decide he needs a bigger job and talk the company into naming him its new CEO, the story says.

It’s still unknown who will take on the role of manager, the piece adds.