Almost two decades after their popular Fox series The O.C. concluded, original stars Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan reunited just before the Fourth of July. Gallagher, 70, posted a charming photo on Instagram on Friday, July 3, featuring himself and Rowan, 60, in front of a lush green bush.
Gallagher captioned the photo, “Look who came to visit! Kirsten and Sandy are wishing you all a Happy Fourth! […] and sending you our love. Great to see her, her lovely family and long-time pal. Here’s to the next occasion!” This post received a flood of affection from Gallagher’s 143K followers, with many expressing a desire for the two to reprise their roles on the show, which continues to have devoted fans in 2026.
The O.C., aired on Fox from 2003 to 2007, centered on Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teen from Chino, California, who is taken in by Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (played by Gallagher and Rowan) in the affluent Newport Beach. Along with their son Seth (Adam Brody), the Cohens help Ryan navigate the complexities of high society, where he forms a relationship with the troubled socialite Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton).
Discussions about a possible O.C. reboot have been ongoing. In 2021, during a visit to the podcast of former co-stars Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke, titled “Welcome to the O.C., Bitches!”, Brody shared his thoughts on the feasibility of a revival.
Brody, 46, commented, “I kind of don’t think it can be done because socially we’re in a different place and we’re in a more conscious place. While The O.C. claims to be — in a similar sense as a Gossip Girl — while it would sort of say it’s a critique, it’s not. It’s a celebration — it’s a celebration of affluence in my opinion.”
At the February 2026 premiere of Crime 101, co-star Tate Donovan, who portrayed Jimmy Cooper, expressed openness to returning to the beloved teen drama. During an interview with E! News’ Erin Lim Rhodes, Donovan, 62, said, “Oh yeah. [Creator] Josh Schwartz is an amazing guy. All those people would be so fun, but what would I play? The grandfather?”
Though there are no active plans for an O.C. revival, fans can cherish the nostalgic reunion of Gallagher and Rowan just before the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
