Though Rainn Wilson was horribly overlooked in the Emmy Nominations, costar and producer Mindy Kaling hopes he isn’t looked over for something bigger- being Steve Carell’s replacement on The Office.

Kaling, who received a nomination for co-writing last season’s Jim/Pam wedding episode, is very much Team Dwight.  “I’d love to see Rainn Wilson in that position.  Dwight has become so nuanced — you actually care about him now. I think if [we did a good job laying the groundwork] this coming season, he would be a fantastic boss.  But that’s my dream.  It certainly hasn’t been approved by people that are more powerful than me and who make those kinds of decisions.”

As a “promote from within” kind of girl, Kaling thinks having Wilson’s character take over will be easiest for the cast and the viewers.

 ”It’s like the stand-up [expression]: The audience doesn’t want someone whose hand they haven’t sniffed,” said the actress.

Of course, if she (and many others) had her way Carell wouldn’t be leaving at all, but when faced with the options she’d rather have Wilson.  As a co-producer for the show she may actually have some pull to turn this “dream” into a reality, especially if she ends up winning the Emmy.  Obviously the girl can write well (the Jim/Pam wedding episode has been hailed as one of the best in the show’s history), so maybe she can write the job transition episode.

So what do you folks think?  Would Dwight Schrute be a suitable replacement?  Or are you hoping that Carell will still make that 11th hour change of heart like the cast is?