Sendhil Ramamurthy has signed up for a guest role in The Office.

The actor will play an Indian doctor who comes between Ryan (BJ Novak) and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) in an upcoming episode of the comedy, TV Guide reports.

Novak explained that the arrival of Ramamurthy's character causes Ryan and Kelly to "go through a heart-wrenching break-up".

"Ryan and Kelly end up becoming bitter enemies in the office when she falls in love with an Indian doctor," he said. "He's very handsome and a much, much better match for Kelly than Ryan is."

Ramamurthy previously starred as Mohinder in Heroes and now appears in Covert Affairs as Jai.

Rumours of an Office spinoff starring Rainn Wilson emerged earlier this year but Novak has claimed that the new show is "just an idea".

The Office airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.