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The O.C. (season 1)
Encyclopedia
The first season of The O.C.
, an American television series, debuted in the United States on August 5, 2003, and concluded on May 5, 2004, with a total of 27 episodes. It tells the story of "the Cohen and Cooper families, and Ryan [Atwood], a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks" who is thrust into the wealthy, harbor-front community of Newport Beach
, Orange County, California
and "will forever change the lives of the residents".
The first seven episodes of The O.C.
aired in the US on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on FOX
, a terrestrial
television network. Following a seven week mid-season hiatus
, the remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title of The O.C.: The Complete First Season on September 26, 2004 by Warner Bros. Home Video. On June 17, 2008 the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store
.
In the United Kingdom the season premiere
aired at 9:00 p.m. Sunday March 7, 2004 on Channel 4
with the second episode airing immediately after, on sister station E4. After taking a hiatus
over summer, the show returned in early September to a 1:00 p.m. slot as part of T4
. In Canada it aired on CTV Television Network
and in Australia it was first broadcast on Nine Network
, but dropped it after three episodes. Network Ten
subsequently picked up the show, airing it in its entirety.
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="ba
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Series #
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Season #
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Title
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Directed by
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Written by
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Viewers
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Original air date
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Production
Code
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, Hypnotic (now Dutch Oven) and Wonderland
. The executive producers were creator Josh Schwartz
, Doug Liman
, Dave Bartis
and McG
, with showrunner Bob DeLaurentis
joining them after the pilot episode. Melissa Rosenberg
and Allan Heinberg
served as co-executive producers. Stephanie Savage
was supervising producer and Loucas George
producer. The staff writers were Schwartz, Savage, Heinberg, Rosenberg, Jane Espenson
, Debra J. Fisher
, Erica Messer
, Brian Oh, J.J. Philbin and Liz Friedman
. The regular directors throughout the season were Liman, Sanford Bookstaver
, Michael Lange
, Patrick Norris
, Michael Fresco
, James Marshall
and Sandy Smolan
.
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The initial season had nine major roles receive star billing
. Benjamin McKenzie
portrayed protagonist Ryan Atwood
, a troubled teenager who is thrust into the wealthy lifestyle of Newport. Mischa Barton
played the girl next door, Marissa Cooper
, with Tate Donovan
starring as her financially troubled father Jimmy
. Adam Brody
acted as geeky ostracized teenager Seth Cohen
with Kelly Rowan
playing his mother Kirsten
, the powerful businesswomen, and Peter Gallagher
portraying his father, Sandy
, a public defense attorney. Chris Carmack
portrayed Marrissa's boyfriend Luke Ward
. Originally only guest stars, Melinda Clarke
starred as Marissa's mother, Julie Cooper
, and Rachel Bilson
played Summer Roberts
, best friend to Marissa and Seth's object of affection. Both gained contracts to the main cast list after thirteen episodes.
Numerous supporting characters were given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline, including Samaire Armstrong
as Anna Stern
, Alan Dale
as wealthy businessman and father of Kirstin, Caleb Nichol
. Taylor Handley
played Oliver Trask
, a psychotic character who viewers loved to hate. Amanda Righetti
starred as Kirstin's younger sister Hailey Nichol
. Navi Rawat
played Theresa Diaz
, childhood sweetheart of Ryan. Bonnie Somerville
acted as Rachel Hoffman, a former work colleague of Sandy, and Ashley Hartman
portrayed Holly Fischer
a friend of Marissa and Summer.
Other guest stars in recurring roles include Linda Lavin
as Nana Cohen, Daphne Ashbrook
as Ryan's mother Dawn
and Michael Nouri
as Summer's father Neil
. Actors Bradley Stryker
, as Ryan's brother Trey
, and Shailene Woodley
, as Marissa's younger sister Kaitlin
, were both only guest stars at this point. However both these characters, portrayed by different actors, would return to a larger role in later seasons.
for best episodic drama
. As the season progressed, ratings picked up with 8 million viewers tuning into for the third episode and 8.6 million viewers watching the fourth installment. This resulted in FOX
initially ordering an additional six episodes. The season was split into two parts, the first consisting of seven episodes shown weekly, which averaged 8.43 million viewers. This was followed by a seven week hiatus, in which FOX announced it had ordered another five episodes, bringing the total season to twenty-seven.
The time-slot for the second half of the season was originally planned for Thursday nights, but facing competition from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
on CBS
and Will & Grace
on NBC
it was moved to Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. instead. Overall season one was the highest-rated new drama of the season among adults aged 18 to 34, averaging a total of 9.7 million viewers. The show picked up four Teen Choice Awards
and was nominated for another two, as well as getting nominated for the Outstanding New Program TCA Award. In the UK, its two showings a week averaged 1.2 million viewers, and it was one of the highest rating Sunday daytime programs, also attracting fans to E4 on Monday nights. It was also well received in Australia, picking up a Logie Award
for Most Popular Overseas Program in 2005
.
However, the show did come in for some criticism. San Jose Mercury News
criticized the plot and the casting saying that "the storylines usually involve the obligatory three-episode-arc drug problems or lost virginity with dialogue designed to keep a dog up to speed", and that "Whoever at FOX thought Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan on "The O.C.") could pass for anything younger than 25 should be fired". A DVD review was critical of the repetitive plot stating that "the Ryan-Marissa fol-de-rol gets tiresome as it devolves into relentless bad timing", while Entertainment Weekly
did not think the acting was always up to scratch, stating "it's unfortunate to have all this potential for arm-flinging drama invested in Barton, an actress who can be as flat as a paper doll". It was also denounced for excessive brawling and glamorizing underage drinking.
in the US on October 26, 2004, after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including a preview
of the second season, deleted scene
s, audio commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
, an American television series, debuted in the United States on August 5, 2003, and concluded on May 5, 2004, with a total of 27 episodes. It tells the story of "the Cohen and Cooper families, and Ryan [Atwood], a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks" who is thrust into the wealthy, harbor-front community of Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
, Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and "will forever change the lives of the residents".
The first seven episodes of The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
aired in the US on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
, a terrestrial
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
television network. Following a seven week mid-season hiatus
Hiatus (television)
In television scheduling, a hiatus refers to a break of at least several weeks in the normal schedule of a broadcast programming. It can occur during a season of a television program, or can be between television seasons .- Planned hiatus :Many times television stations will implement a hiatus...
, the remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title of The O.C.: The Complete First Season on September 26, 2004 by Warner Bros. Home Video. On June 17, 2008 the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
.
In the United Kingdom the season premiere
Season premiere
In North America, a season premiere is the first episode of a new season of a given television show. It often airs in September or October, after several months of reruns.-Evaluating the changes:...
aired at 9:00 p.m. Sunday March 7, 2004 on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
with the second episode airing immediately after, on sister station E4. After taking a hiatus
Hiatus (television)
In television scheduling, a hiatus refers to a break of at least several weeks in the normal schedule of a broadcast programming. It can occur during a season of a television program, or can be between television seasons .- Planned hiatus :Many times television stations will implement a hiatus...
over summer, the show returned in early September to a 1:00 p.m. slot as part of T4
T4 (Channel 4)
T4 is a scheduling slot on Channel 4 from about 09:00 until 14:00 on Saturdays and 17:00 on Sundays. It also airs on weekdays in the school holidays. The slot has a separate station identification on screen graphic from Channel 4 and E4. The logo of T4 is noticeably the top right segment of the...
. In Canada it aired on CTV Television Network
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
and in Australia it was first broadcast on Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
, but dropped it after three episodes. Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
subsequently picked up the show, airing it in its entirety.
Regular
- Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
as Sandy CohenSandy CohenSanford "Sandy" Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX series The O.C., portrayed by Peter Gallagher.Sandy, a lawyer, raconteur, and son of Sophie Cohen, is married to Kirsten Cohen. Their eldest child, Seth, is something of a social misfit. Sandy's father left his mother when he was young and... - Kelly RowanKelly RowanKelly Rowan is a Canadian television and film actress and former fashion model. She is best known for portraying Kirsten Cohen on The O.C.-Early life:...
as Kirsten CohenKirsten CohenKirsten Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Kelly Rowan. Kirsten is the wife of Sandy Cohen, mother to Seth Cohen, and the adoptive mother of Ryan Atwood... - Benjamin McKenzieBenjamin McKenzieBenjamin McKenzie Schenkkan , better known as Benjamin McKenzie, is an American actor and producer. He is best known for playing Ryan Atwood in the television series The O.C. and for playing Ben Sherman in Southland. He appeared in the films Junebug and 88 Minutes which earned him a Sarasota Film...
as Ryan AtwoodRyan AtwoodRyan Francis Atwood is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Benjamin McKenzie. A troubled teenager from Chino, California, he is considered the protagonist of the show, beginning as an outcast and is brought to a lifestyle of luxury by the Cohen family and is... - Mischa BartonMischa BartonMischa Anne Marsden Barton is a British-American fashion model, film, television, and stage actress, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O.C..-Early life:...
as Marissa CooperMarissa CooperMarissa Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Mischa Barton. Marissa was among the original "core four" characters on The O.C. until her death in the season three finale, "The Graduates."... - Adam BrodyAdam BrodyAdam Jared Brody is an American film and television actor and part time musician. He began his career in 1995, appearing on Gilmore Girls and other series, and subsequently came to fame for his role as Seth Cohen on The O.C. Brody later appeared in several film roles, including Mr. & Mrs...
as Seth CohenSeth CohenSeth Ezekiel Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Adam Brody. Seth was one of the "core four" characters on The O.C. alongside Ryan Atwood, Marissa Cooper, and Summer Roberts.-Background:... - Melinda ClarkeMelinda ClarkeMelinda Patrice Clarke is an American actress who has primarily worked in television. Clarke is best known for playing Faith Taylor on the daytime drama Days of our Lives, the manipulative and cunning Julie Cooper-Nichol on The O.C., and the professional dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI...
as Julie CooperJulie CooperJulie Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Melinda Clarke.-Background:... - Rachel BilsonRachel BilsonRachel Sarah Bilson is an American actress. Bilson grew up in a California show business family, and made her television debut in 2003, subsequently becoming well known for playing Summer Roberts on the prime time drama series The O.C. Bilson made her film debut in the 2006 film The Last Kiss and...
as Summer RobertsSummer RobertsSummer Roberts is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Rachel Bilson.-Background:Summer Roberts grew up in Newport Beach, California, with her wealthy father, Dr. Neil Roberts... - Chris CarmackChris CarmackJames Christopher "Chris" Carmack is an American actor and former fashion model.-Early life:Carmack was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Derwood, Maryland. He has two siblings, a brother and sister. As a young boy, he enjoyed participating in all types of sports: baseball, basketball,...
as Luke WardLuke WardLuke Ward is a fictional character in the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Chris Carmack. At the beginning of the series, Luke was in a long-term relationship with Marissa Cooper. However, it was later revealed that Luke was cheating on Marissa with Holly Fischer. After seeing the two... - Tate DonovanTate DonovanTate Buckley Donovan is an American actor. He is known for his role in the FX drama Damages, as Tom Shayes, and for his role as Jimmy Cooper in the American teen drama television series The O.C....
as Jimmy CooperJimmy Cooper (The O.C.)James "Jimmy" Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Tate Donovan. He is often described as extremely unreliable, immature and cowardly, due to his actions....
Recurring
- Samaire ArmstrongSamaire ArmstrongSamaire Rhys Armstrong is an American actress, fashion designer and model. She is best known for her roles in Stay Alive, The O.C. and It's a Boy Girl Thing. Her best known role to date is portraying the role of Juliet Darling in the ABC television series Dirty Sexy Money...
as Anna SternAnna SternAnna Stern is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Samaire Armstrong. Initially intended to appear in only one episode, she was brought back at fan request for several episodes of the first season... - Alan DaleAlan DaleAlan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New...
as Caleb NicholCaleb NicholCaleb Nichol is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Alan Dale during the show's first and second seasons... - Amanda RighettiAmanda RighettiAmanda Righetti is an American actress and film producer. She is best known for her roles in The Mentalist, Friday the 13th and The O.C. In 2008, Righetti was the winner of the Best Actress award at the New York International Independent Film Video Festival for the Short Film category.-Early...
as Hailey NicholHailey NicholHailey Nichol is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Amanda Righetti. Seen as something of a black sheep of the family, Hailey is the younger daughter of Caleb and Rose Nichol, younger sister to Kirsten Cohen, and older half-sister to Lindsay Gardner... - Taylor HandleyTaylor HandleyTaylor Laurence Handley is an American actor.In 1998, Taylor played Rory Buck in the movie Jack Frost. In 2000, Handley starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Phantom of the Megaplex. Handley appeared in three episodes during the last season of Dawson's Creek and guest starred during an...
as Oliver TraskOliver TraskOliver Trask is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Taylor Handley. Oliver appeared in the series' first season as thorn in Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper's relationship, soon developing a severe obsession with the latter... - Navi RawatNavi RawatNavi Rawat is an American television actress, known for her roles as Theresa Diaz on the drama series The O.C. and math prodigy Amita Ramanujan on the drama series Numb3rs. She is the niece of Prem Rawat....
as Theresa DiazTheresa DiazTheresa Diaz is a fictional character on Fox series The O.C., played by Navi Rawat. She is the child of Eva Diaz and the sister of Arturo Diaz, who is the best friend of Trey Atwood.-Season 1:... - Ashley HartmanAshley HartmanAshley Christina Hartman is an American actress and fashion model.-Early life:Hartman was born to Michele Knutsen and Kip Hartman in Orange County, California. When she was four years of age, her parents divorced and Hartman lived with Knutsen and her two sisters...
as Holly FischerHolly FischerHolly Fischer is a fictional character from the first and fourth season of the FOX series The O.C., played by Ashley Hartman.-Season One:Holly is introduced at the outset of the series as one of the best friends of Summer Roberts and Marissa Cooper....
Episodes
"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Episode #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season. The first season's episodes are altogether 1186 minutes in length.! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Series #
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Season #
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Title
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Directed by
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Written by
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Viewers
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Original air date
! style="background: #F79A3A;" | Production
Code
|}
Crew
The season was produced by Warner Bros. TelevisionWarner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television is the television production arm of Warner Bros. Entertainment, itself part of Time Warner. Alongside CBS Television Studios, it serves as a television production arm of The CW Television Network , though it also produces shows for other networks, such as Shameless on...
, Hypnotic (now Dutch Oven) and Wonderland
Wonderland Sound and Vision
Wonderland Sound and Vision is the production company of producers McG and Stephanie Savage. They are responsible for producing The O.C. and Supernatural as well as Chuck. Wonderland also co-produced all of McG's films since Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.-History:McG and Stephanie Savage formed...
. The executive producers were creator Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
-Film school at USC:In 1995, Schwartz realized his boyhood dream of attending film school to study screen and television writing at the University of Southern California...
, Doug Liman
Doug Liman
Douglas Eric "Doug" Liman is an American film director and producer best known for Swingers , The Bourne Identity , Mr. & Mrs. Smith , Jumper , and Fair Game .-Early life:...
, Dave Bartis
Dave Bartis
David "Dave" Bartis is an American producer.-Early life:He is a graduate of McLean High School, located in Mclean, Virginia. Bartis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature from Brown University...
and McG
McG
Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer....
, with showrunner Bob DeLaurentis
Bob DeLaurentis
Robert "Bob" DeLaurentis is an American writer and producer.DeLaurentis wrote the 1982 film, A Little Sex, and has also written a proposed script for a Dr. Who film. He has both written and produced for television shows including The O.C., Providence and Alfred Hitchcock Presents...
joining them after the pilot episode. Melissa Rosenberg
Melissa Rosenberg
Melissa Anne Rosenberg is an American screenwriter. She has worked in both film and television and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards, and two Writers Guild of America Awards. She won a Peabody Award...
and Allan Heinberg
Allan Heinberg
Allan Heinberg is an American film screenwriter, who wrote Young Avengers for Marvel Comics, and has been a writer and producer on The Naked Truth, Party of Five, Sex and the City, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Grey's Anatomy.Heinberg's Young Avengers was a sales success for Marvel, though faced...
served as co-executive producers. Stephanie Savage
Stephanie Savage
Stephanie Savage is a Canadian screenwriter and television producer. Savage is best known for developing The CW's teen drama series, Gossip Girl from the novel series, and being an executive producer of the Fox series The O.C....
was supervising producer and Loucas George
Loucas George
Loucas George is an American television director and producer.Loucas is a member of the Directors Guild of America and has been a producer on a number of shows including Commander in Chief, Ed, The O.C., Early Edition, 12 Miles of Bad Road and Life.-External links:*...
producer. The staff writers were Schwartz, Savage, Heinberg, Rosenberg, Jane Espenson
Jane Espenson
Jane Espenson is an American script writer and television producer who has worked on both situation comedies and serial dramas. She had a five-year stint as a writer and producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and shared a Hugo Award for her writing on the episode "Conversations with Dead People"...
, Debra J. Fisher
Debra J. Fisher
Debra J. Fisher is an American television writer, producer and story editor. She has written episodes of television series such as Alias, The O.C., Charmed and Criminal Minds. She has also co-produced two television shows: Charmed and Criminal Minds, as well as acting as a story editor on Alias...
, Erica Messer
Erica Messer
Erica Messer is an American television writer, producer and story editor. She has written episodes of television series such as Alias, The O.C., Charmed and Criminal Minds. She has also co-produced two television shows: Charmed and Criminal Minds, as well as acting as a story editor on Alias and...
, Brian Oh, J.J. Philbin and Liz Friedman
Liz Friedman
Liz Friedman is a writer and producer.-Career:She wrote and produced episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess, early in her writing career. Friedman was co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Young Hercules. Soon after, she along with fellow House writers, Lawrence Kaplow, Leonard Dick, and Thomas...
. The regular directors throughout the season were Liman, Sanford Bookstaver
Sanford Bookstaver
Sanford Bookstaver is an American film/television director and television producer.-Early life:In 1995, Bookstaver graduated from the USC School of Cinema-Television...
, Michael Lange
Michael Lange
Michael Lange is an American television director and record producer.-Early life:Born and raised just outside New York City, in Mamaroneck, New York and attending Mamaroneck High School where he was heavily involved in music and a bit in drama, Michael Lange first developed a taste for drama in...
, Patrick Norris
Patrick Norris
Patrick R. Norris is an American television director.His directing credits include Chuck, Friday Night Lights, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Hidden Palms, Related, Bones, North Shore, The Division, The O.C., Boston Public, Star Trek: Enterprise, The Twilight Zone, American Dreams, Roswell,...
, Michael Fresco
Michael Fresco
Michael "Mike" Fresco is an American television director and producer.Most notably Fresco has directed a number of episodes from shows including The O.C., My Name is Earl and the pilots to 1-800-Missing and Providence...
, James Marshall
James Marshall (director)
James Marshall is an American television producer and director best known for his work on the series Smallville, Charmed and The Famous Jett Jackson.-Smallville:...
and Sandy Smolan
Sandy Smolan
-Early career:He started his career by directing the 1987 Rachel River, which took two awards at the Sundance Film Festival.-Directing Credits:* Descending from Heaven* The Middleman* Men in Trees* Eli Stone...
.
Cast
Billing (film)
Billing is a performing arts term used in referring to the order and other aspects of how credits are presented for plays, films, television, or other creative works...
. Benjamin McKenzie
Benjamin McKenzie
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan , better known as Benjamin McKenzie, is an American actor and producer. He is best known for playing Ryan Atwood in the television series The O.C. and for playing Ben Sherman in Southland. He appeared in the films Junebug and 88 Minutes which earned him a Sarasota Film...
portrayed protagonist Ryan Atwood
Ryan Atwood
Ryan Francis Atwood is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Benjamin McKenzie. A troubled teenager from Chino, California, he is considered the protagonist of the show, beginning as an outcast and is brought to a lifestyle of luxury by the Cohen family and is...
, a troubled teenager who is thrust into the wealthy lifestyle of Newport. Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton
Mischa Anne Marsden Barton is a British-American fashion model, film, television, and stage actress, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O.C..-Early life:...
played the girl next door, Marissa Cooper
Marissa Cooper
Marissa Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Mischa Barton. Marissa was among the original "core four" characters on The O.C. until her death in the season three finale, "The Graduates."...
, with Tate Donovan
Tate Donovan
Tate Buckley Donovan is an American actor. He is known for his role in the FX drama Damages, as Tom Shayes, and for his role as Jimmy Cooper in the American teen drama television series The O.C....
starring as her financially troubled father Jimmy
Jimmy Cooper (The O.C.)
James "Jimmy" Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Tate Donovan. He is often described as extremely unreliable, immature and cowardly, due to his actions....
. Adam Brody
Adam Brody
Adam Jared Brody is an American film and television actor and part time musician. He began his career in 1995, appearing on Gilmore Girls and other series, and subsequently came to fame for his role as Seth Cohen on The O.C. Brody later appeared in several film roles, including Mr. & Mrs...
acted as geeky ostracized teenager Seth Cohen
Seth Cohen
Seth Ezekiel Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Adam Brody. Seth was one of the "core four" characters on The O.C. alongside Ryan Atwood, Marissa Cooper, and Summer Roberts.-Background:...
with Kelly Rowan
Kelly Rowan
Kelly Rowan is a Canadian television and film actress and former fashion model. She is best known for portraying Kirsten Cohen on The O.C.-Early life:...
playing his mother Kirsten
Kirsten Cohen
Kirsten Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Kelly Rowan. Kirsten is the wife of Sandy Cohen, mother to Seth Cohen, and the adoptive mother of Ryan Atwood...
, the powerful businesswomen, and Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
portraying his father, Sandy
Sandy Cohen
Sanford "Sandy" Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX series The O.C., portrayed by Peter Gallagher.Sandy, a lawyer, raconteur, and son of Sophie Cohen, is married to Kirsten Cohen. Their eldest child, Seth, is something of a social misfit. Sandy's father left his mother when he was young and...
, a public defense attorney. Chris Carmack
Chris Carmack
James Christopher "Chris" Carmack is an American actor and former fashion model.-Early life:Carmack was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Derwood, Maryland. He has two siblings, a brother and sister. As a young boy, he enjoyed participating in all types of sports: baseball, basketball,...
portrayed Marrissa's boyfriend Luke Ward
Luke Ward
Luke Ward is a fictional character in the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Chris Carmack. At the beginning of the series, Luke was in a long-term relationship with Marissa Cooper. However, it was later revealed that Luke was cheating on Marissa with Holly Fischer. After seeing the two...
. Originally only guest stars, Melinda Clarke
Melinda Clarke
Melinda Patrice Clarke is an American actress who has primarily worked in television. Clarke is best known for playing Faith Taylor on the daytime drama Days of our Lives, the manipulative and cunning Julie Cooper-Nichol on The O.C., and the professional dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI...
starred as Marissa's mother, Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Melinda Clarke.-Background:...
, and Rachel Bilson
Rachel Bilson
Rachel Sarah Bilson is an American actress. Bilson grew up in a California show business family, and made her television debut in 2003, subsequently becoming well known for playing Summer Roberts on the prime time drama series The O.C. Bilson made her film debut in the 2006 film The Last Kiss and...
played Summer Roberts
Summer Roberts
Summer Roberts is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Rachel Bilson.-Background:Summer Roberts grew up in Newport Beach, California, with her wealthy father, Dr. Neil Roberts...
, best friend to Marissa and Seth's object of affection. Both gained contracts to the main cast list after thirteen episodes.
Numerous supporting characters were given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline, including Samaire Armstrong
Samaire Armstrong
Samaire Rhys Armstrong is an American actress, fashion designer and model. She is best known for her roles in Stay Alive, The O.C. and It's a Boy Girl Thing. Her best known role to date is portraying the role of Juliet Darling in the ABC television series Dirty Sexy Money...
as Anna Stern
Anna Stern
Anna Stern is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Samaire Armstrong. Initially intended to appear in only one episode, she was brought back at fan request for several episodes of the first season...
, Alan Dale
Alan Dale
Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New...
as wealthy businessman and father of Kirstin, Caleb Nichol
Caleb Nichol
Caleb Nichol is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Alan Dale during the show's first and second seasons...
. Taylor Handley
Taylor Handley
Taylor Laurence Handley is an American actor.In 1998, Taylor played Rory Buck in the movie Jack Frost. In 2000, Handley starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Phantom of the Megaplex. Handley appeared in three episodes during the last season of Dawson's Creek and guest starred during an...
played Oliver Trask
Oliver Trask
Oliver Trask is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Taylor Handley. Oliver appeared in the series' first season as thorn in Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper's relationship, soon developing a severe obsession with the latter...
, a psychotic character who viewers loved to hate. Amanda Righetti
Amanda Righetti
Amanda Righetti is an American actress and film producer. She is best known for her roles in The Mentalist, Friday the 13th and The O.C. In 2008, Righetti was the winner of the Best Actress award at the New York International Independent Film Video Festival for the Short Film category.-Early...
starred as Kirstin's younger sister Hailey Nichol
Hailey Nichol
Hailey Nichol is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Amanda Righetti. Seen as something of a black sheep of the family, Hailey is the younger daughter of Caleb and Rose Nichol, younger sister to Kirsten Cohen, and older half-sister to Lindsay Gardner...
. Navi Rawat
Navi Rawat
Navi Rawat is an American television actress, known for her roles as Theresa Diaz on the drama series The O.C. and math prodigy Amita Ramanujan on the drama series Numb3rs. She is the niece of Prem Rawat....
played Theresa Diaz
Theresa Diaz
Theresa Diaz is a fictional character on Fox series The O.C., played by Navi Rawat. She is the child of Eva Diaz and the sister of Arturo Diaz, who is the best friend of Trey Atwood.-Season 1:...
, childhood sweetheart of Ryan. Bonnie Somerville
Bonnie Somerville
Bonnie Somerville is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she has had roles in a number of movies and television series, most notably NYPD Blue, Grosse Pointe, Friends, The O.C. and Cashmere Mafia....
acted as Rachel Hoffman, a former work colleague of Sandy, and Ashley Hartman
Ashley Hartman
Ashley Christina Hartman is an American actress and fashion model.-Early life:Hartman was born to Michele Knutsen and Kip Hartman in Orange County, California. When she was four years of age, her parents divorced and Hartman lived with Knutsen and her two sisters...
portrayed Holly Fischer
Holly Fischer
Holly Fischer is a fictional character from the first and fourth season of the FOX series The O.C., played by Ashley Hartman.-Season One:Holly is introduced at the outset of the series as one of the best friends of Summer Roberts and Marissa Cooper....
a friend of Marissa and Summer.
Other guest stars in recurring roles include Linda Lavin
Linda Lavin
Linda Lavin is an American singer and actress. She is best known for playing the title character in the sitcom Alice and for her Broadway performances.After acting as a child, Lavin joined the Compass Players in the late 1950s...
as Nana Cohen, Daphne Ashbrook
Daphne Ashbrook
Daphne Lee Ashbrook is an American actress.-Personal life:Daphne Ashbrook was raised in the San Diego, CA area. Her parents are San Diego theatre actress D'Ann Paton and late actor/Director Buddy Ashbrook...
as Ryan's mother Dawn
Dawn Atwood
Dawn Atwood is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Daphne Ashbrook. She is the mother of Trey and Ryan Atwood. She has a history of alcoholism and of forming relationships with abusive men who also drink. Her husband Frank Atwood is both abusive and an...
and Michael Nouri
Michael Nouri
Michael Nouri is an American television and film actor. He may be best known for his role as Nick Hurley, in the 1983 film Flashdance. He has had recurring roles in numerous television series, including NCIS as Eli David, the father of Mossad officer Ziva David, The O.C. as Dr...
as Summer's father Neil
Dr. Neil Roberts
Dr. Neil Roberts is a fictional character on the FOX series, The O.C., portrayed by Michael Nouri.A plastic surgeon in wealthy Newport Beach, California, Neil is the father of Summer Roberts. He was married to Summer's mother until his daughter was 13 years old, when Summer's mother left for...
. Actors Bradley Stryker
Bradley Stryker
Bradley Stryker is an American actor, who performed the character Trey Atwood on the FOX series The O.C.....
, as Ryan's brother Trey
Trey Atwood
Trey Atwood is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., first portrayed by Bradley Stryker during season one and then by Logan Marshall-Green from season two onward...
, and Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Diann Woodley is an American actress. Woodley is known for portraying Amy Juergens in the ABC Family series, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and for co-starring with George Clooney in the 2011 drama film The Descendants.-Early life:Woodley was born in Simi Valley, California...
, as Marissa's younger sister Kaitlin
Kaitlin Cooper
Kaitlin Cooper is a fictional character on the Fox television series The O.C., played by Willa Holland. She was originally played by Shailene Woodley.-Season 1:...
, were both only guest stars at this point. However both these characters, portrayed by different actors, would return to a larger role in later seasons.
Reception
The pilot episode of the season gained 7.5 million viewers and was nominated for a Writers Guild of America AwardWriters Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949...
for best episodic drama
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay - Episodic Drama
This is the list of winners and nominees of the WGA Television Award for Best Writing for Drama Series - Episodic.-2000s:2000: The West Wing - Rick Cleveland/Aaron Sorkin for "In Excelsis Deo"...
. As the season progressed, ratings picked up with 8 million viewers tuning into for the third episode and 8.6 million viewers watching the fourth installment. This resulted in FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
initially ordering an additional six episodes. The season was split into two parts, the first consisting of seven episodes shown weekly, which averaged 8.43 million viewers. This was followed by a seven week hiatus, in which FOX announced it had ordered another five episodes, bringing the total season to twenty-seven.
The time-slot for the second half of the season was originally planned for Thursday nights, but facing competition from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and Will & Grace
Will & Grace
Will & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
it was moved to Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. instead. Overall season one was the highest-rated new drama of the season among adults aged 18 to 34, averaging a total of 9.7 million viewers. The show picked up four Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards
The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with...
and was nominated for another two, as well as getting nominated for the Outstanding New Program TCA Award. In the UK, its two showings a week averaged 1.2 million viewers, and it was one of the highest rating Sunday daytime programs, also attracting fans to E4 on Monday nights. It was also well received in Australia, picking up a Logie Award
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
for Most Popular Overseas Program in 2005
Logie Awards of 2005
The 47th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Sunday 1 May 2005 at Crown Casino in Melbourne and broadcast on the Nine Network. In an historic first Andrew O'Keefe from the Seven Network, Eddie McGuire from the Nine Network and Rove McManus from Network Ten were all Master of Ceremonies...
.
However, the show did come in for some criticism. San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
criticized the plot and the casting saying that "the storylines usually involve the obligatory three-episode-arc drug problems or lost virginity with dialogue designed to keep a dog up to speed", and that "Whoever at FOX thought Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan on "The O.C.") could pass for anything younger than 25 should be fired". A DVD review was critical of the repetitive plot stating that "the Ryan-Marissa fol-de-rol gets tiresome as it devolves into relentless bad timing", while Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
did not think the acting was always up to scratch, stating "it's unfortunate to have all this potential for arm-flinging drama invested in Barton, an actress who can be as flat as a paper doll". It was also denounced for excessive brawling and glamorizing underage drinking.
DVD release
The DVD release of season one was released by Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
in the US on October 26, 2004, after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including a preview
Trailer (film)
A trailer or preview is an advertisement or a commercial for a feature film that will be exhibited in the future at a cinema. The term "trailer" comes from their having originally been shown at the end of a feature film screening. That practice did not last long, because patrons tended to leave the...
of the second season, deleted scene
Deleted scene
In Entertainment, especially the film and television industry, Deleted scenes are parts of a film removed or censored from or replaced by another scene in the final "cut", or version, of a film...
s, audio commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
| The O.C. - The Complete First Season | ||||
| Set details | Special features | |||
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| Release dates | ||||
 United States USA |
 Canada Canada |
UK |  Australia Australia |
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| October 26, 2004 | October 18, 2004 | February 2, 2005 | ||
External links
- Episode guide at Warner Bros.Warner Bros.Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
' The OC Insider - The O.C. episode list at IMDb.com
- The O.C. season 1 episode guide at TV.comTV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...
- The O.C. episode guide at SavetheOC.WordPress.com