Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones will be leaving NBC's comedy Parks and Recreation in the middle of the sixth episode. The serie's creator, Mike Schur, released a statement on Wednesday (31st July) confirming actors would be leaving and that they would be missed.

Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences hosts a 'Wayne's World' Reunion in L.A.

Parks and Recreation, which airs on NBC, centres on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) who is the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation department of the fictional town of Pawnee. She is supported by a number of friends and employees, including local nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) and a former state auditor Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe). Parks and Recreation also features Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Audrey Plaza, Paul Schneider and Chris Platt. 

The show is currently in its sixth season but will see two of its regulars leaving mid-way through the series. The executive producer, Mike Schur, has confirmed in a statement both will be leaving sometime after episode 13. 

Lowe and Jones, who play newly formed couple Chris Traeger and Ann Perkins, will be missed by the cast according to Schur. He described the pair as "wonderful, funny, committed actors." 

Rashida JonesRashida Jones at 2013 The Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London.

Schur, in his statement, went on to discuss the actor's relationship with the show. Lowe was initially only intended to feature for "six or eight episodes" but Schur said "we couldn't be happier that he will have stuck around for 75."

As for Jones, Schur said she "was one of the very first people we knew we wanted in the cast". He went on to promise that Jones' character Perkins will "never be far from Pawnee". Does this mean there is an opportunity for future guest appearances?

The decision is due the development of their characters. Schur and his colleagues feel that it's "a natural time to move them into the next phase" especially as they are "contemplating parenthood." Schur has promised that the couple will have "a great Pawnee send-off". 

Season 6 of Parks and Recreation is due to premiere on September 26th. 

Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler at the 2013 NBC Upfront Presentation in New York.