The O.C. Cancelled

It's the fourth season of The O.C. and inches to its demise, after US TV channel FOX said today the struggling series will end next month. "This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close," said Josh Schwartz, the show's creator and executive producer. He added: "Thanks to the hard work of our cast, crew and writers, we have enjoyed our best season yet, and what better time to go out than creatively on top. It has been an amazing experience and a great run. For a certain audience, at a certain time, The O.C. has meant something. For that we are grateful."


Producers said, starting today, the series will begin a stream of new episodes culminating in the series finale on February 22. The O.C. debuted in the US in August, 2003 and is shown almost concurrently in Australia on the Ten Network and repeated on pay TV. It was billed as a "lighthearted comedy mixed with teen angst" at the start, moving into darker plotlines, which saw the death of its star character Marissa Cooper, played by Mischa Barton, last season. More recently, the real life romance between on-screen lovers Seth (Adam Brody) and Summer (Rachel Bilson) ended, which would have made for awkward moments on the set.

The show followed a group of friends and families whose lives were changed by the arrival of an outsider - Ryan Atwood (played by Benjamin McKenzie) - to their beach community in Orange County, California. Other regular cast members included Peter Gallagher, Tate Donovan, Kelly Rowan, Autumn Reeser and Willa Holland. Australian actor actor Alan Dale played Caleb Nichol for 36 episodes of the series. Among the guest stars were Jeri Ryan, Kevin Sorbo and Kim Delaney. So what now for the cast? Maybe Benjamin McKenzie can focus on Hollywood roles playing Russell Crowe's son? Meanwhile, Adam Brody can begin work on a John Mayer biopic, perhaps?

source: Entertainment News Australia