Turns out there’s more drama behind the scenes of “The O.C.” than you’d find in a whole season of the show itself! Mischa Barton and Ben McKenzie, who played love interests on screen, spent years denying they were anything more than pals. Mischa even joked about it, saying it was “hysterical” how the rumors spread like wildfire without anyone checking with her first. She even spilled the beans on how they’d mess with the press by pretending to be with other co-stars.
But oh boy, things got messy when they finally admitted they did date. Mischa spilled the tea in 2024, revealing that their relationship caused more drama than a soap opera plot twist. They were like the forbidden couple, with producers trying to keep them apart and Mischa feeling like she was under a microscope.
The breakup wasn’t any smoother. Mischa hinted there were “jabs” behind the scenes and off-camera, which made her feel left out in the cold. It got so bad that it might’ve played a part in her decision to leave the show. Creator Josh Schwartz confirmed there was some tension among the cast, adding more fuel to the fire.
Mischa’s been pretty candid about her struggles on set. She felt like she was thrown into the deep end, especially when it came to her relationship with Ben and the pressures of fame. She even admitted feeling pushed into situations she wasn’t ready for, both on and off screen.
But not everyone’s on the same page. Rachel Bilson, who was also part of the cast, seemed a bit puzzled by Mischa’s claims, saying she didn’t witness any of the drama Mischa described. So, it seems like there are still some mixed opinions floating around about what really went down behind the scenes of “The O.C.”
