TV TOPIC: Actors Returning to TV This Fall 2013 Season

The problem with being known for a specific role is that most of the time you can't jump right into another one. You've got to wait it out. Do a few films, if you can. Maybe try Broadway for a while. Just let the fans forget how much they loved you as this one singular character. Then come back with a few guest spots. Wet their palette a bit. And when the coast is clear, slip into a new character that'll hopefully knock their socks off again. Below, the actors who are returning for another round:

Seth Green | FOX's "Dads" (Sept. 17 - Tuesdays at 8pm)

Last Major TV Role: 4 seasons as werewolf Oz on "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"

New Role: It's been super long since he last wolfed out, and since then he's cultivated an impressive nerd fanbase due to the animated series he created, "Robot Chicken." This new role isn't that much of a stretch though. He'll play a manchild who runs a video game business with his best friend (Giovanni Ribisi). Sounds like his real-life dream job.

Watch the promo >

James Spader | NBC's "The Blacklist" (Sept. 23 - Mondays at 10pm)

Last Major TV Role: 6 seasons as lawyer Alan Shore on "The Practice" and "Boston Legal"

New Role: I never saw either shows. I'm actually going to have more trouble trying to forget his creepily serious stint on "The Office," but this new crime series seems far more fitting. He plays one of FBI's most wanted criminals, who decides to turn himself in so that he can help them find even more dangerous outlaws on a hit list he created specifically for himself. It's sure to be a suspenseful ride, like "White Collar" meets Silence of the Lambs.

Watch the promo >

Clark Gregg | ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (Sept. 24 - Tuesdays at 8pm)

Last Major TV Role: 5 seasons as Richard Campbell on "The New Adventures of Old Christine"

New Role: It shouldn't be too difficult for viewers of his last sitcom to picture him as the commanding S.H.I.E.LD. Agent Phil Coulson. He's already played the role several times in Iron Man 1&2, Thor, and The Avengers. If anything, fans will find it hard to believe he use to play some douchebag ex-husband who replaced his wife for a younger woman.

Watch the promo >

James Caan | ABC's "Back in the Game" (Sept. 25 - Wednesdays at 8:30pm)

Last Major TV Role: 5 seasons as casino owner Ed Deline on "Las Vegas"

New Role: The gravelly voiced 73-year-old actor almost returned full-time in Starz's "Magic City" last season as a Chicago crime boss, unfortunately that series was cancelled. But he'll get a second shot as the estranged father in this family comedy, who's trying to make amends by helping his daughter (Maggie Lawson) raise his grandson.

Watch the promo >

Sarah Michelle Gellar | CBS's "The Crazy Ones" (Sept. 26 - Thursdays at 9pm)

Last Major TV Role: 7 seasons as the vampire hunter Buffy Summers on "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"

New Role: I know, I know, she already attempted a comeback in 2011 with the soap drama "Ringer," but how about we give her a mulligan? The poor girl has been trying to reinvent herself for a decade now. Two kids and several horrible films later, she's still trying. Hopefully, playing Robin Williams's uptight daughter in this new family-workplace sitcom will remind people that she used to be fun. Hopefully, it'll remind her, too.

Watch the promo >

Michael J. Fox | NBC's "The Michael J. Fox Show" (Sept. 26 - Thursdays at 9:30pm)

Last Major TV Role: 6 seasons as deputy mayor Mike Flaherty on "Spin City"

New Role: Many would think Fox is crazy for attempting to star in a series when he's plagued by Parkinson's Disease. Is he running out of money? Is he starved for attention? Or does he just not give a...bleep? I think he just misses it. He dipped his foot in a bit with "Boston Legal," then a few years later with "Rescue Me," and again for the last few seasons of "The Good Wife." He's at his fighting weight now and I'll be the first to say, he's still got it. With life imitating art a bit, he'll play a news anchor who decides to go back to work five years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's. He'll struggle to not only do his job the best he can, but remain a family man.

Watch the promo >

Tony Shalhoub | CBS's "We Are Men" (Sept. 30 - Mondays at 8:30pm)

Last Major TV Role: 8 seasons as OCD-stricken, consulting detective Adrian Monk on "Monk"

New Role: Pure genius is what he was, comedically and dramatically. It'll be a tough role to top, but he did it once when he had to make everyone forget about "Wings." Consider this series, a sitcom about male divorcees, a cleanser though before he really plunges into a new show, because I don't expect it to last very long. Godwilling.

Watch the promo >

Spencer Grammer | NBC's "Ironside" (Oct. 2 - Wednesdays at 10pm)

Last Major TV Role: 4 seasons as the sorority girl Casey Cartwright on "Greek"

New Role: I highly doubt that fans of her debut series will be watching her new one. There won't be any keg parties or cute frat boys or mean-girl drama. No, our sweet little Casey is all grown-up, playing a feisty detective with criminal connections in this remake of the 60s cop series. However, as a fan of her previous show, I'm actually psyched to watch Grammer kick some ass in the all-boys club that is the police force. Huge fan of the underdog.

Watch the promo >

Ricardo Chavira | NBC's "Welcome to the Family" (Oct. 3 - Thursdays at 8:30pm)

Last Major TV Role: 8 seasons as Carlos Solis on "Desperate Housewives"

New Role: He seems to have a knack for playing Angry Hispanic men. The only real difference is his character is no longer rich and his wife is no longer self-absorbed and smoking hot. Viewers shouldn't be all that hard-pressed to accept his new role. They'll just have to get used to seeing a lot more of him, now that he has less actors to compete with for screen time.

Watch the promo >

Sean Hayes | NBC's "Sean Saves the World" (Oct. 3 - Thursdays at 9pm)

Last Major TV Role: 8 seasons as Jack McFarland on "Will & Grace"

New Role: You would think by now the sight of his face would not inspire fans to shout "Just Jack!," but in all fairness, he did repeat it just the right amount of annoying times to have it permanently burned into their memory. Unfortunately, they shouldn't expect any Jack-like qualities in his new character, aside from his interest in men. Hayes will be playing a divorced gay father, who's attempting to raise his teenage daughter while also juggling his hectic work schedule. Divorce? Responsibility? Work? That's so not Jack.

Watch the promo >

Jonathan Rhys Meyers | NBC's "Dracula" (Oct. 25 - Fridays at 10pm)

Last Major TV Role: 4 seasons as King Henry VIII on "The Tudors"

New Role: The actor is no stranger to playing seductive manipulators. Fans will most likely relish the opportunity to watch him entrance his conquests once again. Of course, this is primetime TV, not cable, so there will be a whole lot less nudity. I doubt that'll deter them though. In this incarnation of the original vampire's life, Dracula seeks revenge against those who betrayed him centuries earlier, but gets sidetracked when he falls in love with a woman he believes is his reincarnated wife.

Watch the promo >

Josh Holloway | CBS's "Intelligence" (Feb. 24 - Mondays at 10pm)

Last Major TV Role: 6 seasons as the con man James 'Sawyer' Ford on "Lost"

New Role: He spent so much time playing a grimy, untrustworthy bad boy that audiences might have a little trouble accepting his new brainiac do-gooder role, let alone his cleanly shaven face and haircut. However, because it's CBS and they are the masters of police procedurals, there is potential for it to not royally tank. In this series, he'll play an intelligence operative, the subject of a government test program, who has a microchip implanted in his brain, basically making him a super spy. So it's like "Chuck," but sexier.

Watch the promo >

Gillian Anderson | NBC's "Crisis" (midseason replacement)

Last Major TV Role: 9 seasons as detective of the supernatural Dana Scully on "The X-Files"

New Role: I've never really been a fan of her 90s series, but I've always thought she was badass. It's good to see that a decade later she's finally getting some momentum. I intend on streaming the BBC Two crime drama "The Fall" on Netflix eventually, and I heard she raised a few eyebrows as the title character's therapist on NBC's "Hannibal," but "Crisis" looks like it might be an opportunity for her to step out of everyone's friend zone.

Watch the promo >

TV TOPIC: Film Actors with New TV Shows This Fall 2013 Season

Whether they're tired of auditioning for mediocre film roles or have finally accepted that they're never going to be Brad or Angelina, this season these film actors are opening up shop on a small tube near you:

Giovanni Ribisi on FOX's "Dads" 
(premieres Sept. 17 - Tuesdays at 8pm)

Memorable Film Roles: The Other Sister, The Mod Squad, Boiler Room, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Avatar, The Rum Diary, Contraband, Ted, Gangster Squad.

New TV Role: He's done offbeat characters on "Friends" and "My Name is Earl," but this new role should be a change of pace for him, as he'll be playing a straight-laced businessman whose father (Martin Mull) suddenly moves in with him and his wife (Vanessa Lachey).
Watch the promo >

Anna Faris on CBS's "Mom" 
(premieres Sept. 23 - Mondays at 9:30pm)

Memorable Film Roles: Scary Movie 3 & 4, Just Friends, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Smiley Face, The House Bunny, Observe and Report, Take Me Home Tonight, What's Your Number?, The Dictator

New TV Role: While this isn't her first time doing television, having had guest starring roles on "Friends" and "Entourage," it will be her first time starring in a series. In the CBS sitcom, she'll play a single mother (Anna Faris) who, after battling alcoholism, decides to restart her life, and struggles to do so because of her equally damaged mother's (Allison Janney) constant interference.
Watch the promo >

Malin Akerman on ABC's "Trophy Wife" 
(premieres Sept. 24 - Tuesdays at 9:30pm)

Memorable Film Roles: The Heartbreak Kid, 27 Dresses, Watchmen, Couples Retreat, Happythankyoumoreplease.

New TV Role: She's no stranger to sitcoms, as she has worked on "The Comeback," "Children's Hospital," and "Suburgatory." This, however, will be her first time starring in a series. She'll play a reformed party girl who ends up marrying a guy (Bradley Whitford) after she meets him at a karaoke bar. In the process, she finds herself dealing with his two ex-wives (Marcia Gay Harden and Michaela Watkins), their children, and the chaos that comes with mixed families.
Watch the promo >

Robin Williams on CBS's "The Crazy Ones" 
(premieres Sept. 26 - Thursdays at 9pm)

Memorable Film Roles: Dead Poets Society, Hook, Aladdin, Toys, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, Jumanji, Jack, Flubber, Good Will Hunting, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, One Hour Photo, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Old Dogs, Happy Feet Two

New TV Role: I cannot believe Robin Williams has been making us laugh for almost 40 years. I mean, he hasn't really for almost a decade, but he's been trying. A combination of personal issues and poor screenwriting can be attributed to that. Fans fingers are crossed though for this new series to revive his career and reputation as a great comedic actor. In it, he plays an eccentric executive at an ad agency who works with his uptight daughter (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Let the laughs begin.
Watch the promo >

Michael Sheen on SHO's "Masters of Sex" 
(premieres Sept. 29 - Sundays at 10pm)

Memorable Film Roles: Underworld, Laws of Attraction, Kingdom of Heaven, Underworld: Evolution, The Queen, Frost/Nixon, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, The Twilight Saga, TRON: Legacy, Midgnight in Paris, Admission

New TV Role: While it's true that Sheen was on a few hilariously awkward "30 Rock" episodes—were there any other kind?—after you watch this drama, you'll be seeing him in a whole new light. He's playing a doctor, opposite TV vet Lizzy Caplan ("Party Down"), who's interested in studying human sexuality, which leads to many scenes of sexual exploration, ripe with tension and double entendres. It's poised to be absolutely scintillating.
Watch the promo >

Rebel Wilson on ABC's "Super Fun Night" 
(premieres Oct. 2 - Wednesdays at 9:30pm)

Memorable Film Roles: Bridesmaids, Bachelorette, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Pitch Perfect, Pain & Gain

New TV Role: The scene-stealing Aussie import capitalized on her current buzz and pitched her own sitcom, which she's writing and producing. What sets her apart from Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham? While the critics and commenters will definitely group them together as "chubby, funny girls desperate to awkwardly find love," they shouldn't be so quick to judgegeneralize. From the promo alone, I can tell Wilson will be way more of a hot mess than those other two. By the end of the pilot, she will make them seem like well-adjusted young women.
Watch the promo >

TV TOPIC: Where Are They Now?: "Gossip Girl" Cast

xoxo, Gossip Girl. I know you miss that sign-off as much as I do, along with the backstabbing, the pithy one-liners, and the incongruent storylines. How did ABC Family become the go-to channel for good teen soaps? It's a travesty. Alas, let us not dwell on the past and instead look on to the future. What are these bas(s)tards and entitled bitches up to these days?

Penn Badgley - Dan Humphrey
The once self-important original hipster has been rather busy impressing critics with his starring role in the musical biopic Greetings from Tim Buckley. He recently completed the dramatic romance Parts Per Billion alongside Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies), Rosario Dawson, Josh Hartnett, and, another CW grad, Alexis Bledel. Currently, however, he's filming the modern adaptation of the Shakespeare play Cymbeline with Dakota Johnson, Milla Jovovich, Ethan Hawke, and Anton Yelchin.

Penn Badgley's hair  - Dan Humphrey's mop
It's still attached to his head, in spite of a false alarm on January 3, 2013 when it was shaved off, and sometimes it spreads to his face.

Blake Lively - Serena van der Woodsen
Projected as being the most likely to succeed post-cancellation, Lively has actually faded out of the spotlight as she's settling into married life with her hubbie Ryan Reynolds, and presumably trying to start a family. Before checking out though, she managed to film the poorly-received superhero flick Green Lantern, the critically massacred indie drama Hick, and the fairly decent Oliver Stone crime drama Savages. At least now she has a varied resume to return with.

Leighton Meester - Blair Waldorf
The Queen B, Julie Cooper reincarnated, will be sorely missed by gif creators and quote-tweeters alike. Unfortunately, aside from her babysitter role in Date Night, Meester has been unfairly typecast in many films as the resident bitch. She flipped out on Justin Long in Going the Distance, pre-judged Garrett Hedlund in Country Strong, stalked Minka Kelly in The Roommate, openly criticized Selena Gomez in Monte Carlo, and unapologetically cheated on Andy Samberg in That's My Boy. Girl either needs a new agent or a little more confidence in her ability to do more than be snide and obnoxious. Thankfully, she's not short on roles. She recently wrapped the crime drama God Only Knows with Harvey Keitel and Ben Barnes, the indie comedy Any Tom, Dick, or Harry, and the female buddy comedy Life Partners. And currently, she is filming the drama The Judge with Robert Downey, Jr. and Vera Farmiga, while dating Adam Brody, yet another actor made famous by Josh Schwartz.

Ed Westwick - Chuck Bass
His non-GG work has been spotty at best. The only thing I can remember him in is the British rom-com Chalet Girl that introduced me to the intrepid Felicity Jones (Like Crazy). But I'm not surprised he's not popping up everywhere. He's a very odd bird. He sounds like one of those grimy bastards in a Guy Ritchie caper, but looks like a villain straight out of "The Tudors." And did I mention that he just oozes sex appeal? Ha! If you're starting to get the shakes, remiss to remember the last time you heard him fervently exclaim "I'm Chuck Bass!," fret not. He'll be in the latest adaptation of Romeo and Juliet this Fall. At the moment, however, he's shooting the horror comedy Kitchen Sink with Vanessa Hudgens, and soon he'll work on the Anthony Bourdain mystery drama Bone In The Throat.

Chace Crawford - Nate Archibald
Crawford, who first appeared on the scene in the male witch teen movie The Covenant, has been in a range of films: horror (The Haunting of Molly Hartley), dramatic thriller (Twelve), dramedy (Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding), and rom-com (What to Expect When You're Expecting). I wouldn't say he's found his niche quite yet or that he's gotten any better, but now that he permanently scarred his lip, I think he's due for a makeover. Maybe it'll get him more slash better roles. In the mean time, he just signed onto the rom-com Responsible Adults opposite Katie Holmes.

Taylor Momsen - Jenny Humphrey
Taylor. Taylor. Taylor. America's SweetheartAngry Teenager. She quit acting to be the lead singer in the grunge rock band The Pretty Reckless. So far she's toured with Evanescence and Marilyn Manson. While she's yet to make it big, at least she hasn't resorted to blatant fame-whoring yet.

Connor Paolo - Eric van der Woodsen
Paolo's character thankfully died on ABC's "Revenge" last season. Fans were so eager for his departure that if they could crawl through the screen and kill him themselves, they would've tried. It was a deep-seated hatred that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the fact that he had the only blue collar accent on the show or that him and his girlfriend were the whiniest version of Romeo and Juliet in the history of their re-imagining. Anyway, he's found a friend in the well-known shock photographer Tyler Shields (baby Terry Richardson), and he'll be starring in his directorial debut, the thriller Outlaw.

Jessica Szhor - Vanessa Abrams
As the most hated character on the series, simply for liking Dan more than anyone else, Szhor had a tough time building a fanbase. And she doesn't seem to be having any luck off set either, but that hasn't stopped casting agents from putting her in their films. She appeared in the comedy The Internship this summer. She just completed the rom-dramedy Light Years with Chris Lowell, the crime thriller 10 Cent Pistol with Jenna Malone, and the rom-com Two Night Stand with Miles Teller, Analeigh Tipton (Warm Bodies), and Leven Rambin (Percy Jackson 2). And currently, she's filming the drama The Life with Jerry Ferrara ("Entourage").

Michelle Tratchenberg - Georgina Sparks
This kid has had like a million rebirths. She went from being Harriet the Spy to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's little sister to the gloriously evil ultimate Mean Girl. Therefore, I am not worried about her. I will disregard next year's thriller The Scribbler that she filmed with Katie Cassidy and Eliza Dushku, and mentally pat her on the back for playing the wife of Lee Harvey Oswald in the National Geographic Channel's made-for-TV movie "Killing Kennedy," starring Robe Lowe and Ginnifer Goodwin. Why? Because another rebirth is surely around the corner, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

Desmond Harrington - Jack Bass
Yet another sexy beast from the Bass family tree, Harrington has been double-dipping for years, hopping from GG to "Dexter," playing slightly different roles. I wonder if he's freaking now that "Dexter" is coming to an end as well. If I were producers I'd grab him up ASAP, throwing him in everything: as an opponent for John on "Person of Interest," rising leader on "Revolution," serial-killing protege on "The Following," or some historical gangster on "Boardwalk Empire." All I'm asking is that he doesn't go soft. Look at that face. That's a fighter, not a lover.

As for the guest stars...

Sebastian Stan (Carter Baizen) might just get his official big break next Spring when he reprises his role as Steve Rogers's best friend slash the title villain in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Amanda Setton (Penelope) had a supporting role on "The Mindy Project" for a while, but this Fall she'll be on the CBS sitcom "The Crazy Ones" with Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. And Ella Rae Peck (Lola/Charlie) landed her own series, the NBC family comedy "Welcome to the Family."

TV TOPIC: Where Are They Now? - "The Office" Cast

The new Fall TV season starts soon, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten about the casts who won't be returning, especially one as talented as "The Office" had. Its ending may have been overdue, but that didn't stop fans from inundating Tumblr with countless gifs commemorating the unforgettable relationships that brought smiles to our faces and tears to our eyes for nine long seasons. If you're feeling nostalgic as you hunt for a new series to fill the void, take comfort in knowing that you'll still be seeing some of them on the screen:

Steve Carell - Michael Scott
It seems like Jim Carrey accidentally passed the torch to his Bruce Almighty costar. He not only took over as the eldest of the physical comedy actors, but he managed to do what Carrey only did briefly-and-with-little-success: crossover into dramatic acting. He's becoming the full package, pulling at your heartstrings with Dan in Real Life and Crazy. Stupid. Love., but still staying true to his oddball humor with Anchorman.
Future Prospects: We'll see him pull double duty once again this December in the Anchorman sequel and the sports drama Foxcatcher, starring Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. Currently, he's working on the family film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with Jennifer Garner.

John Krasinski - Jim Halpert
Many a lady has fallen for the sweet and mischievous Jim Halpert, and that's greatly due to both Krasinski's comedic and dramatic delivery. His performance was so believable, it was harder to believe it was his first big role. Saying goodbye to him was probably the hardest for most fans because of the relationship he developed with them over the years, chocked full of glances towards the camera, inside jokes, and private confessions. Because of his very large female fanbase, producers will try to typecast him as a romantic lead in a few B-grade rom-coms (i.e. Something Borrowed). And while I wouldn't mind watching him charm the pants off of a slew of leading ladies, I know he can do better. I just don't think film is where he can do that. I'd rather watch him develop a good character over time on a series than briefly on the big screen. Perhaps, something political and/or high-stakes to capture the dramatic acting I know he's capable of.
Future Prospects: He's currently recording the animated adaptation of The Prophet, alongside Salma Hayek and Liam Neeson. Not to mention, getting ready to be an awesome daddy.

Jenna Fischer - Pam Beesly
The second half of one of the most famous couples in TV history represented every woman who not only settled in love, but in life. Falling for Jim was just the beginning of her rebirth. It reminded her of who she wanted to be and set no limitations on what she could do. Fischer did a great job of giving a potentially bland character depth, displaying her imperfections and relishing her victories. She's been hitting the indie circuit hard, playing broken women in dramatic indie roles, but I don't necessarily think that's her forte, because she doesn't look the part. She's better at tearjerker moments and goofball humor.
Future Prospects: She just wrapped two indies: the drama Kiss Me and the comedy You Are Here with Amy Poehler, Owen Wilson, and Zach Galifianakis.

Rainn Wilson - Dwight Schrute
Dwight went from nuisance to brother to best friend in the course of this series—and at times in the course of one episode. Wilson was the conductor of that crazy train, and he steered it with precision, making the audience both cheer and jeer him in the span of 20 minutes. The 47-year-old actor became a household name fairly late in life, but he's a character actor—which is the nice way of saying, not super hot or leading-man material—so he has the potential to appear in many films, mostly indies, as the comedy relief, a quirky insert, or a wise guide. Of course, if he's looking to reach a higher echelon, he'll have to get in with one of the few comedy troupes currently collaborating in Hollywood. Age- and comedy-wise, he fits best with Will Ferrell's crew.
Future Prospects: He has a few indies in the works: the sci-fi thriller Uncanny, the family adventure comedy The Stream, and the horror comedy Cooties with Elijah Wood.

Angela Kinsey - Angela Martin
Forever to be known as the sourpuss cat lady with the kinky sex life, Angela grew on audiences like a fungus. Thankfully, Kinsey's penchant for playing crazy will come in handy when she goes out for more supporting comedy roles.
Future Prospects: She has a potential FOX family comedy pilot with Rob Riggle called "The Gabriels," and just finished shooting the comedy Hot Bot with Danny Masterson and Anthony Anderson. Currently, she's filming the comedy All Stars with John Goodman.

B.J. Novak - Ryan Howard
Ryan was fun to watch because he was very obviously always in over his head, whether it came to business or relationships. He was the manifestation of corporate ambition and a generation's increasing self-absorption. Although he was the opposite of Prince Charming, Novak somehow managed to make him likable. You couldn't help but pity Ryan for being stuck in such an unfulfilling situation, in spite of his delusional belief in his own skills. Luckily, in real life, Novak has actual talent and he spreads it around: acting, directing, writing, and producing. Unlike most actors who are busy building a brand, he seems more concerned with the creative side.
Future Prospects: This holiday season, you can see him in Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson's Walt Disney's biography Saving Mr. Banks, playing a famous Disney songwriter. IMDb also has him down for appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. On the other side of the camera, however, he occasionally writes for and directs "The Mindy Project."

Mindy Kaling - Kelly Kapoor
Never has an Indian woman been this annoying on television, let alone, this depraved, self-serving, and obnoxious. She was the embodiment of every entitled young woman who thought they not only deserved a fairytale, but had the right to lie and cheat to get it. Clinically, she would be characterized as a sociopath, but this is television, so she's just considered adorably obsessive and delusional. In bringing this lovable loon to life, Kaling broke some serious barriers in what roles people of her ethnicity are cast in. And she didn't just stop there. She went on to set the bar pretty high for future female comedic writers, succeeding in creating, writing, and starring in her own sitcom by the age of 33. To put that into context, Tina Fey branched out on her own at 36 and Amy Poehler at 38—and they had "SNL" cred to back them.
Future Prospects: She's busy with her series, "The Mindy Project," but soon she'll voice a character in the animated film Inside Out.

Ed Helms - Andy Bernard
This ass-kissing, socially awkward people-pleaser was at the core of many embarrassing situations throughout the series. High-strung and overly ambitious, he was like the second-coming of Ryan, except far less evil. Playing average Joes seems like Helms' niche, but the same could've been said of Carrell until he started booking challenging roles. Tack on his musical talent and he's at the very least a double-threat.
Future Prospects: He played a drug kinpin in this summer's We're the Millers. He just wrapped the comedy thriller Stretch with Chris Pine and Jessica Alba. Next year, he'll be in the comedy They Came Together with Paul Rudd. And currently, he's shooting Someone Marry Barry with Damon Wayans, Jr.

Craig Robinson - Darryl Philbin
As the voice of reason, and often sanity, in the office, Darryl was a necessary constant. While some could accuse him of suffering from a serious case of Angry Black Man syndrome, Robinson was actually a master of deadpan. However, off set, he's become the go-to black friend for frat-boy comedies (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Hot Tub Time Machine and This Is the End), and this year, he had his first lead roles in the comedies Peeples and Rapture-Palooza. He could keep this up for a while, but his own dude-centric series on FXX, the new comedy channel, would probably be better for job security.
Future Prospects: He's currently filming the sequel to Hot Tub Time Machine, and a potential sitcom pilot for NBC, where he plays a reluctant music teacher at a middle school.

Ellie Kemper - Kelly Erin Hannon
Kemper was added to the series half-way through. She had the daunting task of cultivating her own fanbase, while playing a sweet, but dumb, young woman who would eventually recreate Pam+Jim+Roy's love triangle with Pete and Andy. Not sure if it was her Missouri accent or the oblivious look in her eyes whenever she didn't quite comprehend what was happening around her, but she nailed every scene and sometimes managed to make Michael, and even Kevin, seem smarter. Kemper's rather convincing. So convincing she could get pigeon-holed, if she's not careful, as the quirky BFF. I actually thought she was really funny in 21 Jump Street as the young teacher who had trouble controlling her attraction to the clearly adult undercover cop in her science class. Something about someone so sweet and conservative pining after a sexy meathead makes for a pretty amusing sight gag. I'd totally watch a series where she plays a community college professor to a mixed bag of uninterested students, in spite of her crippling stage fright. It's a setting she would thrive in.
Future Prospects: She's currently working on her own NBC comedy, "Brenda Forever," that's kind of like 13 Going on 30. It'll take place in both the past and present to tell the life story of an awkward-yet-confident woman.

Oscar Nuñez - Oscar Martinez
Representing for the Latinos and the gays, Oscar wasn't just a compilation of stereotypes. Nuñez never went over the top, but he was also always game to sacrifice his self-respect for a laugh. That fact was proven when he appeared in The Proposal, stripping for a bunch of old ladies. Scene-stealing roles like that could get him a supporting spot on a series eventually.
Future Prospects: He just wrapped a supporting role in the screwball comedy pilot "The Education of Eddie and Mortimer."

Brian Baumgartner - Kevin Malone
The human garbage disposal with an IQ that barely surpasses a special needs child always baffled audiences as to how he got a job as an accountant in the first place. In the real world, he's not even qualified to sort mail. Baumgartner never failed to properly deliver a dimwitted retort or a dunce-like expression. Bit roles will certainly be his bread and butter.
Future Prospects: He did a guest spot on "Hot in Cleveland," and he'll appear on "Mike and Molly" this season.

Phyllis Smith - Phyllis Vance
As the thorn in Angela's side and the office wife to Stanley, Phyllis always had a really funny way of sounding timidly panicked or concerned. It was subtle which was the polar opposite of the comedy styles of most of the other actors. So far Smith has landed supporting roles in comedies, like Bad Teacher and Butter. Her comedic rhythm is certainly an asset most comedies these days could use.
Future Prospects: She plays a teacher in the new ABC family comedy "Trophy Wife," and she'll voice a character in the animated film Inside Out.

Paul Lieberstein - Toby Flenderson
That unfortunate human punching bag with a habit of falling in love with redheaded women who lack interest in him was a lot of fun to pity. Lieberstein, like Novak and Kaling, was also a writer on the show. Acting doesn't really seem like his end game. He started his career off as a writer ("The Drew Carey Show" and "The Bernie Mack Show") and a producer ("King of the Hill"), but lately he's been directing more.
Future Prospects: He has nothing on the horizon as of yet, but he did direct an episode of "The Mindy Project," so maybe he'll do more of that.

Kate Flannery - Meredith Palmer
Probably accused often of perpetuating the Irish stereotype of being constantly drunk and belligerent, Flannery was most likely the only actress on TV in her late 40s shamelessly exposing herself and displaying a disturbing amount of poor parenting skills. But, look on the bright side: it was never not funny. She started off almost 15 years ago doing a bunch of guest spots. It would behoove her to get back at it. I see a foul-mouthed granny role in her far-off future.
Future Prospects: She has a few bit roles coming up: the horror flick Home starring Naya Rivera, the comedy Helicopter Mom starring Nia Vardalos, the tennis comedy Break Point starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton, and the horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.

Leslie David Baker - Stanley Hudson
Stanley was basically the office grump. He wanted to get in and out, and enjoy every freebie and perk that appeared. He's what we all fear we'll turn into if we stay in our cubicle prisons for too long. Previous to landing this recurring role, Baker did a few guest spots. He should definitely branch out into other genres. He's got the mustache and the 'tude to blend in anywhere.
Future Prospects: He doesn't have anything booked yet.

Creed Bratton - Creed Bratton
There's no other way to describe him: He was a creepy motherf*cker. The fact that his character's name is his real name actually horrifies me. That aside, the 70-year-old actor has been in this business for almost 40 years, and this is his most memorable role. He's not done yet though. There are benefits to being super old. Just ask Morgan Freeman (76), Jon Voight (75), and Michael Caine (80). With age comes wisdom, or at least roles where you get to dole some out.
Future Prospects: Nothing as of yet.

As for guest stars and last-minute newbies...

Andy Buckley (David Wallace) might still have a spot on HBO's "Veep." Melora Hardin (Jan Levinson) will be on TBS's new pilot "Do It Yourself" and is currently shooting a female comedy about middle-aged, freelance phone sex operators called 33 Liberty Lane. Zach Woods (Gabe Lewis) might keep popping up as a bottom feeder on "Veep," but is currently filming Mike Judge's HBO comedy pilot "Silicon Valley" with Martin Star and T.J. Miller.

Amy Ryan (Holly Flax) just wrapped the Alejandro González Iñárritu comedy Birdman with Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Stone. Catherine Tate (Nellie Bertram) is playing a French teacher on the BBC comedy "Big School," and filming the British comedy SuperBob. Jake Lacy (Pete) just wrapped the abortion rom-com(!) Obvious Child with former "SNL" actress Jenny Slate and the sports comedy Intramural. He's also currently working on the CBS family comedy pilot "The McCarthys." Clark Duke (Clark) will reprise his role in Hot Tub Time Machine 2. And one cannot forget Michael Schur (Mose) who generally doesn't spend his free time mutely kidnapping small women. He actually writes for "Parks and Recreation" and he worked on the pilot for Andy Samberg's new FOX cop series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."