'Girlfriends' Actor Cast in 'The Office'

[Brian Damage]

Thesp Idris Elba has been cast on "The Office" as a new rival to Dunder Mifflin regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell).
Elba, most recently seen in Guy Ritchie's "Rocknrolla," will appear in six episodes later this season. Details are slim on his plot line, other than he'll play a no-nonsense hire at Dunder Mifflin's corporate office who will throw Michael Scott into turmoil.

NBC is expected to announce Elba's casting during the Peacock's portion of the TV Critics Assn. press tour on Thursday.

Also at the NBC sesh, the Peacock is expected to announce a two-year first look deal with thesp Don Cheadle and his shingle, Creshendo Prods.

Cheadle runs Creshendo with partners Kay Liberman and Lenore Zerman.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...14&ref=ra&cs=1