Near the end of this season of The Office, Will Ferrell will join the cast for a four episode arc.  He will play a branch manager that comes in as the Steve Carellcharacter Michael Scott begins to take his leave from Dunder Mifflin.

Ferrell has committed to four shows on the NBC comedy.  One of those episodes will be after Carell’s finale to help create a bridge between the old and new.

Who knows — strong ratings could lead to the branch manager role turning into a permanent character.

This is Carell’s seventh and final season on the popular show.

http://www.bittenandbound.com/2011/01/27/will-ferrell-joins-the-office-to-usher-out-steve-carell/