The O.C.: Castmate Says Stars Wanted Show to End

One of the series that fans will be missing from the Fall schedule is The O.C., FOX’s once-hot night-time drama. The series’ viewership had seriously declined and the show was ultimately cancelled after four seasons. Fans mourned the loss but it appears some of the series stars may not have been all that upset.

According to actor Tate Donovan (Jimmy Cooper), the young castmembers wanted the show to end. At a press conference yesterday to promote his role on the FX legal drama Damages, Donovan reflected on his time on The O.C. drama. He shared that, “The kids became incredibly difficult to work with” and feels the young leads “were unhappy.” He added, “I think they all wanted movie careers and did not want to be on television, all four of them. They were, like, ‘This show is killing my career.'” Donovan didn’t name the actors by name but presumably was talking about Mischa Barton, Rachel Bilson, Benjamin McKenzie, and Adam Brody. So, what are they doing now that the show is over?

Barton left the show after the third season and has several films in various stages of production. The next to be released is Closing the Ring and will be shown Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival. Barton will play the younger version of Shirley MacLaine’s character in a story about finding the owner of a ring that belonged to a crashed World War II bomber pilot.

Bilson will next be seen in the feature film Jumper, alongside Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Jamie Bell and Tom Hulce. The movie centers around a teenager from an abusive household who discovers that he can teleport himself from one place to another. Jumper is set to be released on February 15, 2008.

McKenzie is playing the lead role in a remake of the 1971 anti-war film Johnny Got His Gun. He’ll be playing a young World War I soldier who is heavily wounded on the last day of fighting. The movie’s expected to be released some time next year.

Brody was reportedly in the running for the lead in Speed Racer but that movie role ultimately went to Emile Hirsch. Brody seems to be taking a break and currently doesn’t have any projects in his immediate future. Stay tuned!