‘Welcome to the O.C.’ Book’s Biggest Bombshells: Mischa Barton’s Exit, More
Cast members (L to R) Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Melinda Clarke, Peter Gallagher, Rachel Bilson, Kelly Rowan, Benjamin McKenzie and Samaire Armstrong Kevin Winter/Getty Images The O.C. became an instant phenomenon the moment it premiered in 2003 — and found itself struggling to stay afloat almost just as quickly. The series, which ran for four seasons on Fox, followed 16-year-old Ryan Atwood ( Ben McKenzie ) as he’s taken in by well-intentioned lawyer Sandy Cohen ( Peter Gallagher ) and his prominent Newport Beach, California family. As Ryan finds a new best friend in Seth Cohen ( Adam Brody ) and love interest in next-door neighbor Marissa Cooper ( Mischa Barton ), he also discovers the complicated and often dangerous seedy underbelly of life in Orange County. Welcome to the O.C.: The Oral History , which is written by Alan Sepinwall , The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz and executive producer Stephanie Savage , gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the iconic series, fr...