Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), an edgy boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is adopted by the Cohens, a wealthy Newport Beach family, after being abandoned by his mother. That was the launch point of The O.C_ – a prime-time soap whose title initials stood for ‘Orange County, ‘ a rich district of California.
Created by Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl) and executive produced by prolific filmmaker McG, The O.C. became an enormous hit and launched the careers of its four young leads (Ben McKenzie, Adam Brody, Mischa Barton, and Rachel Bilson).
The first season was regarded as the best, on the strength of both its appealing young actors and the charismatic performances of Peter Gallagher as idealistic lawyer/doting father Sandy Cohen – the moral compass of the show – and Kelly Rowan as his wife, Kirsten.
Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) was Sandy and Kirsten’s quick-witted, pop-culture-obsessed, comic-book-loving nerd son who formed a fast, brotherly bond with Ryan.
Through Seth’s character, the show popularised indie music (launching the careers of bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, and The Killers), comic books, video games, and self-referential, meta-humour on mainstream television.
Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) was the beautiful, deeply troubled “girl next door” who fell into a tumultuous, tragic romance with Ryan.
Tragically, Marissa died in a fiery car accident during the Season 3 finale in 2006. This iconic twist remains one of the most memorable and controversial character deaths in the history of teen television.
Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson) was Marissa’s shallow, popular best friend who evolved into a fiercely loyal, politically active woman and the love of Seth’s life.
Marissa’s gold-digging, scheming mother, Julie (Melinda Clarke), served as the show’s campy, complex primary antagonist-turned-antihero.
The O.C. was not without its shortcomings – meandering story lines, ham-fisted dialogue, and off-screen scandal, for example – but the show inspired the development of numerous similar drama series aimed at 1990s children approaching their teenage years.
The series also brought us ‘Chrismukkah’ (Seth Cohen’s fictional, blended holiday combining Christmas and Hanukkah) – aka Festivus 2.0.
Marissa’s death alienated the audience in Season 3, and viewership fell drastically for the following season. The O.C. was officially cancelled by FOX just one season later due to the steep ratings decline.
Ryan Atwood
Ben McKenzie Seth Cohen
Adam Brody Sandy Cohen
Peter Gallagher Kirsten Cohen
Kelly Rowan Marissa Cooper
Mischa Barton Summer Roberts
Rachel Bilson Julie Cooper
Melinda Clarke
You May Also Like
Last Train, The 1 9 9 9 (UK). The Last Train debuted on ITV in April 1999 and was promoted…
One Step Beyond 1 9 5 9 - 1 9 6 1 (USA) 96 x 30 minute episodes "Explain…
On The House 1 9 7 0 - 1 9 7 1 (UK) 12 x 30 minute episodes This comedy…
15 Storeys High 2 0 0 2 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes 2 0 0 4 (UK) 6 x…
Frasier 1 9 9 3 - 2 0 0 4 (USA) 262 x 30 minute episodes A comedy…
Your Cheatin' Heart 1 9 9 0 (UK) 6 x 50 minute episodes John Byrne's follow-up to Tutti Frutti…
