The O.c. [hot] -

(Ben McKenzie), a troubled but gifted teen from a broken home in Chino, is taken in by his public defender, Sandy Cohen

In recent years, "The O.C." has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with many fans rewatching the show on streaming platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime. This renewed interest has led to reunions, interviews, and even a potential reboot.

The show's cast, many of whom were relatively unknown at the time, became household names. Benjamin McKenzie, Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, and Rachel Bilson all went on to pursue successful careers in film and television. The O.C.

Season 4, often overlooked, is the show’s secret masterpiece. Freed from the Ryan/Marissa melodrama, it became a weird, funny, warm comedy. Taylor Townsend (Autumn Reeser), the hyper-controlling perfectionist, was the perfect foil for a grieving Ryan. The season gave us "The Giggling Scene," a Christmas episode that doubles as a French farce, and the most satisfying series finale in teen drama history.

(A+ for the soundtrack, A+ for the first season, B- for the fourth-wall-breaking fourth season, but we love it anyway.) (Ben McKenzie), a troubled but gifted teen from

The quintessential girl-next-door battling inner demons.

It was a show where a kid from Chino could become a Cohen; where a nerd got the girl; where indie music played over sunsets; and where, even in the middle of a drama, someone would crack a joke about Star Wars . Benjamin McKenzie, Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, and Rachel

The show was also notable for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships. In 2005, the show introduced the character of C.J. (played by Wallace Shawn), a gay father who became a love interest for Sandy Cohen. This storyline marked one of the first mainstream representations of a gay relationship on television.