Kelly Kapoor hasn't packed up her boxes on "The Office" yet.
Mindy Kaling will be returning to "The Office" for Season 9, she revealed at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Monday.
"I got so attached to that character, even though I only got maybe one line per episode," Kaling told the audience with a laugh. "It'll be nice to see what happens with Kelly."
Although it looked like Kaling would be leaving "The Office" entirely due to her new Fox comedy, "The Mindy Project," Kaling will return for the Season 9 premiere of "The Office" and probably for another episode. Earlier on Monday, Vulture reported that Kaling's Kelly Kapoor would be in at least two "Office" episodes. The capacity of her appearances is unclear as of now.
Kaling is not the first "Office" star to leave the show as a regular. Most recently, it was reported that B.J. Novak is leaving "The Office" as a regular, but will make recurring appearances and will possibly write and direct episodes. James Spader is also leaving the NBC comedy after one full season. Paul Lieberstein ("The Office" showrunner, who plays Toby) is is departing to focus on Dwight's spin-off, although he is expected to occasionally return to play Toby, according to EW.
Before its renewal, there were talks of a "Office" reboot with new characters. With all the casting shake-ups, it seems "The Office's" familiar faces Ed Helms, Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski are set to return for Season 9.
