When the series returns for season four, high school seems like a distant memory to the young graduates, who have been thrust into adulthood after the heartbreaking death of their beloved friend MARISSA (Mischa Barton). Who heads to college to try to put the past behind them? Who stays in town because they can’t let the past go? Will VOLCHOK (Cam Gigandet) go free after causing the tragic accident that killed Marissa? Or will RYAN (Ben McKenzie) decide that the way to heal is through revenge?It’s a battle for Ryan’s soul as the Cohens struggle to keep him focused on the future, fighting the forces that threaten to pull him back into his old life. SANDY (Peter Gallagher) returns to the Public Defender’s office, and he and KIRSTEN (Kelly Rowan) find themselves reaching out to another troubled teen, but this one is not a stranger. It’s KAITLIN COOPER (Willa Holland), the number-one troublemaker at The Harbor School, and too much to handle for her mother JULIE (Melinda Clarke), who’s off making some trouble of her own. The person most excited about leaving high school finds himself back there – as a teacher. And new cast member TAYLOR TOWNSEND (Autumn Reeser) finds herself with some unlikely new roommates – and family members. As much as the arrival of Ryan has changed the lives of this community, so, too, has the loss of Marissa. This season hits the ground running with THE OC’s trademark mix of heart, humor, drama, action and romance. It’s a new day on THE OC ...

From Wonderland Sound and Vision and College Hill Pictures, and in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc., THE OC is executive-produced by Josh Schwartz, Bob DeLaurentis, McG and Stephanie Savage. John Stephens and Ian Toynton serves as co-executive producers

Aided by an intricate tattoo of the prison’s blueprints covering his upper body, Michael aligned himself with his lovelorn cellmate FERNANDO SUCRE (Amaury Nolasco), former mob boss JOHN ABRUZZI (Peter Stormare), homicidal pedophile “T-BAG” (Robert Knepper), the well-connected “C-NOTE” (Rockmond Dunbar) and CHARLES WESTMORELAND (Muse Watson), a man Michael believed to be the infamous skyjacker D.B. Cooper. On the outside, Michael’s only ally was his defense attorney and Lincoln’s former girlfriend VERONICA DONOVAN (Robin Tunney), who protected Lincoln’s targeted son LJ (Marshall Allman). Veronica’s quest for the truth led straight to the White House, Secret Service Agent PAUL KELLERMAN (Paul Adelstein) and the power-hungry Vice President, CAROLINE REYNOLDS (Patricia Wettig), whose brother, in secret, is very much alive. Overcoming many setbacks, the brothers and six other inmates ultimately escaped from Fox River. The prison break had its consequences, however – Michael was forced to betray his father figure, Warden HENRY POPE (Stacy Keach); prison doctor SARA TANCREDI (Sarah Wayne Callies), who was instrumental in the escape plan and had romantic feelings for Michael, relapsed with drugs and overdosed; and Westmoreland died of injuries sustained in the escape, but not before revealing that he was indeed D.B. Cooper – and providing a clue to where he had hidden over $5 million in cash.

Outside the prison walls, the escape truly begins as the convicts race for their lives – and the hidden cash –while trying to avoid capture by the authorities. The pursuers are led by vengeful prison guard Captain BRAD BELLICK (Wade Williams), who, driven by a personal vendetta, will stop at nothing until the escapees are captured or killed.