OC, The

US television drama series (2003– ). The prime-time soap opera explores the lives of teenagers and their dysfunctional families in the seemingly idyllic harbor community of Newport Beach in Orange County, California.

The cast features Benjamin McKenzie (1978– ) as Ryan Atwood, a teenager from the wrong side of the tracks who, thrown out of his house, finds a place to stay with his former public defender, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher, 1955– ), his wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan, 1967– ), and their son, Seth (Adam Brody, 1979– ). His arrival shakes up the wealthy and seemingly perfect community. Ryan develops a romantic interest in beautiful neighbour Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton, 1986– ), who seems to have a perfect life but struggles with her own dysfunctional parents, white-collar criminal father Jimmy (Tate Donovan, 1963– ) and mother Julie (Melinda Clark, 1969– ). Julie's friend Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson, 1981– ) has a crush on Ryan and is initially oblivious to the affections of Seth. The show was created by Josh Schwartz (1976– ) and is executive produced by Schwartz, Joseph ‘McG’ Nichol, and Bob DeLaurentis.

The series, following the wealthy adolescent drama formula of predecessors such as Beverly Hills 90210, quickly became the second most-popular television show (after Friends) for US teenage girls.