Yesterday 'Parks and Recreation' fans were shocked to learn that both series regulars Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones were planning departures midway through the upcoming sixth season of NBC's acclaimed comedy. Now, it seems Lowe may already have rebounded with his own NBC sitcom on the horizon, while 'Parks' showrunner Mike Schur has opened up to address the departures.

News of Lowe's series emerged earlier from Deadline, who simply state "[we] hear NBC is looking to keep Lowe in the fold, finalizing a development deal with an actor for a potential new series." Naturally, we'd find it a bit odd if NBC fought to keep the prolific star on the network without holding him to his already-acclaimed role, but it wouldn't be the first time Lowe left an award-winning series before its end.

'Parks' creator and showrunner Mike Schur had a bit more to offer today on Rashida Jones and Lowe's departures, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on a development that likely hadn't intended to break for some time closer to the September 24 premiere. Said Schur in an open letter:

We've been working on their storyline (on and off) for four seasons now, and heading into this year, with the two of them contemplating parenthood, it felt like a natural time to move them into the next phase.

We absolutely love both Rashida and Rob, and will be sad to see them go. Rashida was one of the very first people we knew we wanted in the cast, and as important as Ann is to Leslie (and vice-versa), she'll certainly never be far from Pawnee. Rob we initially thought we could only have for six or eight episodes, and we couldn't be happier that he will have stuck around for 75.

Schur added that both characters have "a great Pawnee send-off in the works," while it remains to be seen if the series will shoot toward a seventh season, or potentially fill the void for either actor.

Well, what say you? Are you disappointed that Chris Traeger and Ann Perkins(!) will leave Pawnee behind this season? What do you expect to see from 'Parks and Recreation' season 6? Remember the good times below, and give us your thoughts in the comments!

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