The Shocking Truth Behind Marissa's Season 3 Death Revealed - EPs Speak Out!

Summary

The producers of The OC express remorse for the choice to eliminate the character of Marissa Cooper, acknowledging their desire to handle her departure from the show differently. However, external factors, including pressure from the network, ultimately influenced their decision-making process.

The producers were displeased with the audience's response to Marissa's death in The OC, as it did not align with their intentions of serving the audience. The controversy surrounding Marissa's death arose from her significant role as Ryan's love interest in the series. This decision was influenced by Mischa Barton's decision to leave the show, resulting in the termination of any possibilities for her character's return.

The producers of The OC reflect on the decision to kill off Marissa Cooper. This choice was reportedly made under pressure from the studio to create a dramatic twist for a potential fourth season. Marissa, played by Mischa Barton, had been one of the main characters in the teen drama series set in Orange County. Despite her importance to the story, Marissa unexpectedly died at the end of season 3, leading to Barton's departure from the show.

Now, twenty years later, producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage discuss the decision to kill off Marissa in The OC. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, as they discuss the show's legacy in anticipation of the release of Welcome to the O.C.: The Oral History, the producers express their regret over the narrative path they took with Barton's character. However, they also emphasize that the decision was not theirs alone. Read their full quotes below.

Schwartz: We discuss it openly in the book, expressing our regret and acknowledging that we should have found a different solution. At the time, we didn't see any other options, which is why we made that decision. However, looking back, there were numerous alternatives to write the character off the show and give Mischa the break she wanted, while still leaving room for the character's potential return.

When Marissa shot Trey, the audience had a strong emotional response, which was satisfying to witness. They were shocked, and I received messages from parents whose children were upset and crying over what had happened. Ultimately, this reaction was what we had hoped to achieve. However, when we witnessed the audience's reaction after Marissa's death, it was disheartening. It felt like we had failed to serve or respect the audience in the way we had intended. We immediately felt remorse at that point.

Why Marissa’s Death In The OC Was So Controversial

From the moment Marissa made her entrance in The OC, it was evident that she would play a crucial role in shaping Ryan's narrative. Ryan, the central character and representative of the audience, perceives Orange County for its true essence. However, in line with many other teen dramas of the 2000s, complex love stories formed a significant part of the show's plotline. While Seth and Summer's relationship was uncomplicated yet immensely entertaining, Marissa and Ryan's romance delved into darker and more intricate territories. Nonetheless, it would have been nearly impossible to find someone who could have foreseen the tragic demise of Marissa.

Marissa's death can ultimately be traced back to Barton's desire to leave The OC. While the actor has been cautious in discussing the matter, she previously disclosed that the show's set lacked a friendly atmosphere. Barton mentioned experiencing "general bullying from some of the men on set," although she refrained from naming specific individuals. Additionally, she struggled with the invasion of her privacy after her rapid rise to fame following the show's premiere. Unfortunately, instead of finding a less morbid method to write the character out, the higher-ups at The OC opted for a more extreme approach to explain Marissa's absence, effectively eliminating any possibility of Barton's return.

A mere season after Barton's departure, The OC concluded with only four seasons in its repertoire. The show never quite recuperated from the loss of one of its prominent stars, particularly due to the disappointment surrounding the inability of Marissa and Ryan's relationship to come to fruition. It is challenging to speculate on what could have transpired if the character had not been swiftly eliminated, but it is evident that Schwartz and Savage remain haunted by that decision even two decades after the series concluded.

Source: Vanity Fair