Los Angeles ( CNN ) -- The upcoming ninth season of NBC 's `` The Office '' will be the sitcom 's last , executive producer Greg Daniels said Tuesday . Though the show 's ratings are healthy -- it is NBC 's highest-rated scripted series -- contracts are expiring for most of the original cast , making it `` the last chance for us to go out together and to make an artistic ending , '' Daniels said . All 15 of the characters from season eight will return , with the addition of Jake Lacy and Clark Duke , he said . But the contracts of most of the veterans are expiring , he said . `` They all have exciting opportunities , '' he said . `` We could n't count on getting that many people back for season 10 . '' Previously on CNN.com : 'The Office ' falls to ratings low against 'Big Bang ' repeat . The show could have continued by adding characters as veteran stars moved on to other projects , but `` the show would be changed to such a degree that it would n't be the same show , '' he said . The final season will `` do justice to the existing characters in the most creative and explosive way , '' he added . `` As we head into the home stretch , we have a lot of exciting things I personally have been wanting to do since season two and the ending should be pretty cool , '' Daniels said . One story arc in particular is the relationship between receptionist Pam Beesly and salesman Jim Halpert , he said . `` The most loyal fans would really want to see that happen , '' he said . The last season will also reveal details viewers have been guessing about , including the `` documentary '' that was being produced in the office . `` Basically , all questions will be answered this year , '' Daniels said . `` We are going to see who is behind the documentary . '' Knowing it is the final year , producers can do the `` kind of risky things that we would n't normally do if we knew we were going for a long time . But we can kind of blow up things and take some chances . '' The final season premieres at 9 p.m. September 20 . Is NBC developing an 'Office ' spinoff for Rainn Wilson ? Michael J . Fox returns to NBC with new comedy . NBC defends 'Community ' changes .
The final season of `` The Office '' will offer `` an artistic ending , '' producer Greg Daniels says . Daniels, who is also the creator and executive producer, said he was "thrilled" to have a finale that would be "as good as it can be" for his show after eight years on air. Ratings are healthy , but cast contracts are expiring . `` We could n't count on getting that many people back for season 10 , '' Daniels says .