Keith David has joined the cast of "Community," which returns for its sixth season next year exclusively on Yahoo. 

His role, which will be as a series regular, will be retired scientist Elroy Patashnik.

David will one of other new cast additions that producers hope will help fill the void left by a few departing "Community" cast members: Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) announced in September she’d be leaving the show to care for her ailing father, and last season saw the exit of Donald Glover (Troy). Plus, co-stars Jonathan Banks (Buzz) and John Oliver (Professor Duncan) aren’t expected back.

But never fear, fans: main cast members Joel McHale (Jeff), Gillian Jacobs (Britta), Danny Pudi (Abed), Alison Brie (Annie), Jim Rash (Dean Pelton), and Ken Jeong (Chang) are all back for another semester at Greendale.

Production gets underway November 17, and the 13 new episodes will air early next year on Yahoo Screen.