‘Girls’ season 2 spoilers: Andrew Rannells leaves to focus on ‘The New Normal’

It must take a lot for any actor to leave a show that has been getting the sort of critical acclaim that “Girls” has been over the past eight months or so; but when you have another full-time job that caused you to travel to the other end of the country, you really do not have that much of a choice.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise really that Andrew Rannells is more or less being forced thanks to scheduling issues to leave Lena Dunham’s HBO hit, where he played Hannah’s ex-turned new roommate Elijah, and to focus his attention entirely on NBC’s “The New Normal,” where he is a series regular. Speaking in a new interview with The Huffington Post, here is what he had to say on the subject:

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world that I had this opportunity to do both of these shows, and it does come down to a scheduling thing and a timing thing.”

Rannells will still appear in the first four episodes of “Girls” season 2 before making his departure, and he promises that the exit of Elijah from the show will be one to remember. As to whether or not he could return to the show in the future, we assume that this is possible given that there may be openings for a brief one or two-episode cameo. It’s also still unclear whether or not “The New Normal” will receive a second season; while it seemed almost assured in the fall, the show returned this spring to just a measly 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic (a new series low).

“Girls” fans, don’t fret: there are still a number of other notable guest stars coming up for season 2, including Patrick Wilson and “Community” star Donald Glover (whose time will also be limited thanks to his gig on another show).

Photo: HBO