Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke will revisit the drama of The O.C. as they launch a podcast all about the mid-2000s teen drama.
And on Tuesday, the LA-based actresses revealed to Today Extra the co-stars they have kept in touch with since the show’s finale in 2007.
Melinda, who played Julie Cooper, said she was still in contact with Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen), Peter Gallagher (Sandy Cohen) and Tate Donovan (Jimmy Cooper).
Famous friends: Melinda Clarke, who played the glamorous Julie Cooper on The O.C., revealed on Tuesday which co-stars she has kept in touch with since the show’s finale in 2007
She sees Adam Brody (Seth Cohen) and Olivia Wilde (Alex Kelly) less often, but they’re still on good terms.
She told Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell via Zoom: ‘I’ve stayed in touch with, well, Kelly mostly, Peter, Tate…
‘I’ve run into Adam a few times, I ran into Olivia Wilde… I ran into – well, no, I haven’t seen Shailene Woodley [who played Kaitlin Cooper] for quite a while,’
‘Rachel, we ran into each other, maybe 10 years ago actually, so we are just reacquainting ourselves!’ she then said of her podcast co-host.
The O.C. focused on the life of troubled teenager Ryan Atwood, played by Ben McKenzie, as he navigated growing up in an affluent neighborhood of Orange County, California (cast pictured)
Co-stars: Melinda said, ‘I’ve stayed in touch with, well, Kelly mostly (Kelly Rowan played Kirsten Cohen), Peter (Peter Gallagher portrayed Sandy Cohen), Tate (Tate Donavan played Jimmy Cooper)’. Pictured is Mischa, Rachel, Melinda and Kelly
The O.C. focused on the life of troubled teenager Ryan Atwood, played by Ben McKenzie, as he navigated growing up in an affluent neighborhood of Orange County, California.
Melinda played the glamorous Julie Cooper, the mother of privileged yet rebellious teen Marissa Cooper, portrayed by Mischa Barton.
Elsewhere in their interview with Today Extra, Rachel, who played Marissa’s best friend Summer Roberts, was asked which guests they’d have on their podcast.
Special guests: Rachel also hinted at who they had planned to make an appearance on their podcast. She said: ‘Well, we are definitely going to have some of our lovely cast members stop on by. And writers and hopefully producers and other people behind the scenes’
‘Well, we are definitely going to have some of our lovely cast members stop on by. And writers and hopefully producers and other people behind the scenes,’ she said.
‘It’s going to be a real mixed bag, but it will be really fun to hear everyone’s different opinions and perspectives. But for sure, there will be some fun surprises with cast.’
Notably, there was no mention in the interview of Mischa Barton, who abruptly left the series at the end of season three.
The O.C. was a ratings smash at the time, but Mischa wanted to focus on other projects and her exit eventually led to the show’s 2007 cancellation.
Going her own way: Notably, there was not mention in the interview with Mischa Barton, who abruptly left the series at the end of season three. At the time, The OC was a ratings success but Mischa revealed she walked away from the show to focus on her own work
‘I just had a lot in my career that I wanted to do and accomplish… I felt like things were really heavily reliant upon me, and I was getting no time to do any of the other offers that were out there,’ she told the New York Times in 2019.
However, it’s possible Rachel and Melinda are keeping Mischa’s appearance on the podcast under wraps, hence why they didn’t mention her.
Deadline reported the podcast launched through Kast media and will produce 100 episodes ‘and feature a variety of guests – from former cast members like Peter Gallagher, to series creator Josh Schwartz’.
Reunited! Welcome to the OC, B*tches! is a Kast media and launches on audio streaming services on April 27
‘I’m so excited to be doing this podcast with Mindy,’ Bilson said. ‘I think everyone could use a little light and laughter after the year we have endured.
‘Going back and watching all of these episodes has been so fun and I can’t wait to talk about it all, my own personal experiences as well as others involved with the show.
Welcome to the OC, B*tches! is a Kast media production and launches on audio streaming services on April 27