– Marissa’s death on The O.C. viewed as a mistake by some fans
– Mischa Barton left the show due to being unhappy with the direction her character was taking
– Focus on supporting characters might have been a better choice for the show
Fans of the popular early 2000’s teen drama The O.C. still vividly remember the tragic and controversial death of Marissa Cooper, played by Mischa Barton. The character’s demise came as a shock and disappointment to many viewers, and it is now being considered by some as a mistake in the development of the show.
Mischa Barton herself has been open about her choice to leave the series, citing her dissatisfaction with the direction her character was taking. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Barton said, “It just felt like…it’s hard to even remember what it was, but it felt like everything was getting taken away from me, and everything that mattered to me was slipping through my fingers.” She further explained that she felt Marissa’s storylines were only focused on drama and tragedy, detracting from the character’s true nature.
As the series went on without Marissa, the show’s focus shifted towards its ensemble cast, which the article suggests might have been a better direction overall. The writer argues that instead creating a tragic end for Marissa, it would have been more productive to develop the complex relationships and dynamics among the supporting characters.
It’s worth noting that a quote in the article from The O.C. creator, Josh Schwartz, reveals that killing off Marissa was a difficult decision. He said, “The death of Marissa Cooper was a very controversial decision…one that we labored over as writers.” While the decision had lasting impacts on the show’s legacy, it seems the creators of the show were also grappling with the weight of their choice.