Tate Donovan Open to Reprising Role in Potential The O.C. Reboot

The actor who played Jimmy Cooper says he'd be interested in returning, but wonders what his role would be.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Tate Donovan, who played Jimmy Cooper on the hit 2000s teen drama The O.C., revealed he would be open to reprising his role in a potential reboot of the series. However, the 62-year-old actor questioned what his character's part would be, suggesting he could potentially play the grandfather. Donovan's former co-star Adam Brody, who portrayed Seth Cohen, has also expressed reservations about a reboot, though he acknowledged that anything is possible.

Why it matters

The O.C. developed a devoted fan base during its four-season run and has maintained a strong cultural presence even two decades later. A potential reboot could reignite interest in the show and provide closure for longtime viewers, but the creators and cast have expressed hesitation about revisiting the series, citing concerns over the creative vision and how to effectively incorporate the original characters.

The details

In an interview with E! News, Donovan said he would be interested in participating in a reboot of The O.C., but questioned what his role would be, suggesting he could potentially play the grandfather. Brody, who played Seth Cohen, has also shared reservations about a revival, telling Vanity Fair in 2024 that while anything is possible, he has concerns about the creative direction. Series creator Josh Schwartz has previously shot down the idea of rebooting The O.C., comparing it to the Gossip Girl reboot and stating that the show was too specific to the original characters.

  • Tate Donovan's interview with E! News took place at the Los Angeles premiere of Crime 101 on February 11, 2026.
  • Adam Brody's comments about a potential O.C. reboot were made in a Vanity Fair interview in September 2024.

The players

Tate Donovan

The 62-year-old actor who played Jimmy Cooper, the father of Marissa Cooper, on the Fox drama The O.C.

Adam Brody

The 46-year-old actor who played Seth Cohen, one of the main characters, on The O.C. from 2003 to 2007.

Josh Schwartz

The creator of The O.C. who has previously shot down the idea of rebooting the series, comparing it to the Gossip Girl reboot.

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What they’re saying

“Oh yeah, [creator] Josh Schwartz is an amazing guy. All those people would be so fun, but what would I play? The grandfather?”

— Tate Donovan (E! News)

“I think it's perfectly valid to take anything that people like and say, 'Is there any life left in this? Would anyone care to see more? Would the band like to get back together?'”

— Adam Brody (Vanity Fair)

“We're really grateful that 20 years later, people are still watching the show and still want to talk about the show, and we're just going to leave it right there.”

— Josh Schwartz (Deadline's Crew Call podcast)

The takeaway

While The O.C. has maintained a devoted fan base and cultural relevance two decades after its debut, the show's creator and cast members have expressed hesitation about revisiting the series in the form of a reboot. The concerns center around the creative vision and how to effectively incorporate the original characters, highlighting the challenges of reviving a beloved show that was so specific to its original run.