Steve Carell may ride off into the sunset after season seven of 'The Office,' but apparently, the show will go on. Variety.com is reporting that B.J. Novak, who plays former temp Ryan Howard and also serves as a writer/producer on the show, has signed a deal to come back for the upcoming seventh season and an eighth season.

Novak's new contract will make him executive producer next season (he's already a co-executive producer) and he'll direct two episodes. Novak directed the 'Scott's Tots' episode in season six, in which Michael Scott promised a group of students he'd pay their college tuition if they graduated high school, and also directed the Webisodes series 'The Office: Blackmail.'

Novak will also have the opportunity to develop new projects for Universal Media Studios.

Carell, who is the heart of the cast as boss Michael Scott, has said he is leaving the show after season seven. He has a number of film projects in the works, and may leave to spend more time on the big screen. That may leave an opening for Howard, who has gone from temp to executive and back down to office drone, to once again take a leadership position at Dunder Mifflin.

Novak has been part of the writing staff from the beginning of the show, penning episodes like 'Diversity Day,' 'Sexual Harassment,' 'The Fire,' and 'Dream Team.' He has held a variety of titles with 'The Office,' serving as co-executive producer, supervising producer, and executive story editor.