The Truth About Their Secret Romance On The O.C. Rallshe
The O.C. was one of the most popular teen dramas of the 2000s, featuring a cast of attractive and talented young actors. But behind the scenes, there was more drama than fans knew, especially between the show’s main couple, Marissa Cooper and Ryan Atwood, played by Mischa Barton and Ben McKenzie.
How It All Began
Mischa Barton was only 17 when she landed the role of Marissa, a troubled rich girl who falls in love with Ryan, a brooding outsider from the wrong side of the tracks.
Ben McKenzie was 25 and already had some acting experience under his belt. The two had instant chemistry on screen, but it wasn’t just acting. Barton recently confirmed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she and McKenzie dated in real life in the early days of filming the hit series.
Barton said that McKenzie was her “first” relationship, and that she had “no idea what I was doing”. She also admitted that she felt “overwhelmed and not ready for any of that” as she was the youngest cast member and had to deal with the pressure of fame and growing up quickly.
She said that their romance “set things off on the wrong foot” for her, as it created tension and jealousy among the other actors and the producers.
The Breakup and the Fallout
Barton and McKenzie’s relationship didn’t last long, as Barton realized that she was “not mature enough” to continue it. She said that they broke up while they were still acting together on the show, and that it was “tricky” and “complicated”.
She said that there were “a lot of jabs behind the scenes and off-camera” and that she felt “ostracized” by the rest of the cast, who were older and more experienced than her. Barton also said that she felt like she needed to “catch up” with her co-stars, who were dating and hooking up with each other.
She said that there was “a lot of inter-dating” on the show, and that it was “notoriously” known. For example, Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody, who played Marissa’s best friend Summer and Ryan’s friend Seth, were a real-life couple for three years. Melinda Clarke, who played Marissa’s mother Julie, also dated some of the guest stars on the show.
Barton’s personal and professional life took a toll after the breakup, as she struggled with substance abuse, mental health issues, and legal troubles. She also left the show after the third season when her character was killed off in a shocking car crash. She said that she felt “burnt out” and “exhausted” by the show, and that she wanted to pursue other opportunities.
Where Are They Now?
Mischa Barton has since tried to revive her career, appearing in several movies and TV shows, such as The Hills: New Beginnings, Dancing with the Stars, and The Toybox. She has also been open about her personal struggles and said that she could “go to therapy every day” of her life after the “trauma” of teen fame.
Ben McKenzie has also moved on from The O.C., starring in shows like Southland, Gotham, and The Twilight Zone. He is now married to Morena Baccarin, his co-star from Gotham, and they have two children together.
He has also directed and produced some of his projects and has been involved in some charitable causes. The O.C. remains a cult classic and has influenced many other teen shows, such as Gossip Girl, Riverdale, and The OC Musical.
The show’s fans still love the characters and the stories and often wonder what could have been if Marissa and Ryan had stayed together. But now they know the truth about the actors who played them and how their secret romance affected their lives.
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