Exclusive: New 'Office' romance for Michael

You didn’t expect him to wait around for Holly forever, did you?

Later this season, The Office will introduce a significant new love interest for Steve Carell’s romantically-challenged alter ego.

“Michael is going to meet someone,” reveals Office showrunner-slash-star Paul Lieberstein. “It’s one of these set-ups where a bunch of people go out and you don’t know you’re being set up.”

When Michael discovers what’s going on, “he kind of flips out and goes into ‘date mode,'” says Lieberstein. “And it goes in a weird direction from there.”

Casting for the key role will begin in a few weeks and the character will likely debut in March or April.

Getting back to the Holly question, might we see Amy Ryan return as Michael’s soul mate in the near future? “Not this season,” says Lieberstein, “but I’d love to see her back.”

Do you think it’s time for Michael to move on (his fling with Pam’s mom notwithstanding)? Got any casting tips for Lieberstein? Head to the comments!

PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Lubin/NBC