As is so often the case, there has been speculation for a long time about an off-screen romance between the “O.C., California” stars Mischa Barton (38) and Ben McKenzie (45) away from the series set. Now the actress has confirmed this – 17 years later, after they had long claimed that they only impersonated a series couple in front of the camera. However, on the gossip podcast “Call Her Daddy,” Barton explained how difficult and complicated it was for her at the time.
Barton appeared in the series from 2003 to 2006, when she was only 17 years old and McKenzie was seven years older than her. “It was kind of complicated for me,” Barton remembers. In general, the age differences on set were “difficult for everyone,” and Barton always had the feeling of being “overwhelmed” and having to “catch up.” She was “not ready for any of this”.
The relationship with McKenzie was her “first”. “I was always a real late bloomer in school and had never really dated. I had no idea what I was doing.” The two acting stars got involved in the relationship quite quickly, which was also due to the pressure from outside.
Her relationship with McKenzie would also have led to tension on the set, as Barton was still a minor at the time. “I remember them saying, ‘Mischa disappeared with Ben and she’s only 17.’ The producers then went to my parents – it was torture.”
Both Barton and McKenzie repeatedly denied the rumors of being a couple at the time. Both have become internationally famous through their series roles as Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper. “O.C., California” comprises a total of four seasons, which were filmed and released between 2003 and 2006.
