‘The O.C.’ Cast Talks Reboot: Complete Insights from Their Discussions
California, are we on our way? The O.C. has been off the air for nearly two decades, yet fans and former cast members alike continue to speculate about the possibility of a reboot.
Since Rachel Bilson (a.k.a. Summer Roberts) and Melinda Clarke (a.k.a. Julie Cooper-Nichol) launched their rewatch podcast, “Welcome to the OC, Bitches,” in 2021, enthusiasm for a new chapter of Newpsie drama has only grown.
The podcast, which wrapped up in 2024, saw the duo revisiting classic episodes of the series while sharing their on-set memories, featuring guest spots from fellow cast members like Tate Donovan and Peter Gallagher.
“Watching it, I was genuinely impressed with how talented everyone was,” Bilson told Nylon in April 2021 while reflecting on the series. “I think it all worked due to the natural chemistry and the talents of the cast, which is such a joy to witness.”
The O.C. centered around Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teenager who moved in with the affluent Cohen family after being caught attempting to steal a car. Seth (Adam Brody), the Cohens’ son, introduced him to comic books and Death Cab for Cutie, while their neighbor Marissa (Mischa Barton) led him into romantic escapades and shoplifting.
Clarke portrayed one of the show’s most notorious characters — Marissa’s mother, Julie, known for her numerous misdeeds, including having an affair with her daughter’s 18-year-old ex-boyfriend.
“Julie is really one of the original Housewives,” the Gotham star shared with Bustle in April 2021. “She’s a villain, but you never portray a villain as just a villain. You must believe your character’s truth — hers was all about maintaining a beautiful façade.”
Since the series finale in 2007, the cast members have been engaged in various other projects, yet that hasn’t stopped fans from inquiring whether the time might be right for a return to the Bait Shop.
While The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz has stated he has no current plans for a revival, fans continue to express their desire for one every Chrismukkah. As Julie declared in season 2: “Surf, sex, and scandal. It’s a recipe for a cultural phenomenon, don’t you agree?”
Keep scrolling to find out everything The O.C. cast has mentioned about the idea of a reboot:
