Ensemble drama revolving around the young adult community of the Orange
County, California, area. A street-smart teen winds up in the midst of the
high-class society of Newport Beach, sparking something of an "edgier" take
on the "Melrose Place" style premise.
Ryan Atwood is a troubled teenage youth from the wrong side of the tracks
in Los Angeles who finds himself on his own, after he is thrown out of his
own house. He finds a place to stay in the posh home of the Cohens in the
wealthy community of Newport Beach, the O.C. (Orange County), California.
Ryan is accepted by the stern but compassionate Sandford "Sandy" Cohen, a
lawyer who has represented Ryan in the past for his misdeeds. But Sandy's
wife, Kirsten, aware of Ryan's criminal history, is wary of this new house
guest. The Cohen's son, Seth, bonds with Ryan quickly and shows him the
ropes of the community -- and vice-versa with Ryan giving advice to Seth
about life and love. Ryan develops a crush on Marissa Cooper, a neighbor
girl who lives down the street, and he has problems with her
not-so-sheltered existence in dealing with her distant father Jimmy and her
weak-willed mother Julie. Also, Marissa's best friend, Summer, is oblivious
to the crush that Seth has on her, while taking a liking to Ryan. And so
begins a new life for Ryan, the Cohens, the Coopers, and generally everyone
else in the wealthy, picturesque, secretive, turbulent community in Orange
County.
