Orange county is filled with memorable personalities in The O.C. The Cohen family encounters a variety of characters, from inside the walls of their showy waterside abode to the sands of Newport Beach. Some main characters get more fitting endings than others in The O.C. Regardless of their arcs, several of them are more likable than others.
Folks like Ryan Atwood and Sandy Cohen are hard not to love, but other faces from the show leave something to be desired. Some of the less likable characters are villains, while others who appear on the side of good are just as unappealing. Their actions and demeanors come into play when audiences size them up.
Taylor Townsend
Taylor is perhaps the least likable character in The O.C. She's introduced as a villain but eventually becomes one of the protagonists. Fans don't get a great first impression of Taylor upon her debut, as she tries to wedge her way into Seth and Ryan's social circle after Marissa Cooper is expelled from school.
Taylor can be forgiven by audiences for her scheming. She tries to take Marissa's position as student social chair until Summer Roberts intervenes. Summer eventually welcomes Taylor into their group, and fans follow suit. However, Taylor's ambition is abrasive. Her tenacious drive to be loved both by teachers and by students in the school is off-putting. If Taylor was able to be herself, she would be more likable.
Jimmy Cooper
Marissa's dad Jimmy can't seem to help himself. Although he has good intentions, he hurts others around him through his poor decision-making. He appears to genuinely care for his daughter but continues to cause her grief. Jimmy's financial troubles cause him to leave Orange County and his daughter behind when he can't repay debts due to his embezzlement.
Furthermore, he creates drama for his daughter Marissa, her mother Julie Cooper Nichol, and his friend Kirsten Cohen when he gets romantically involved with Kirsten's sister Hayley. When those around him suffer from Jimmy's short-sightedness, he becomes unappealing.
Marissa Cooper
Marissa is a key player, and her death is one of the most devastating moments in The O.C. However, Marissa's actions make her one of the less likable characters fans meet. Marissa's privileged upbringing leads her to act selfishly.
Her friends are often cleaning up her messes. She becomes least likable in her lack of gratitude. Despite her lavish lifestyle provided by her family, she berates her mother Julie in front of a crowd during her father's going away party. Marissa certainly faces struggles, but the way she handles them makes her seem like a brat.
Seth Cohen
Seth's quirky personality makes audiences take a shine to him. His self-deprecating humor becomes his trademark, and he gains fans as a lovable outcast in the elite community where he lives. However, his actions make him less likable than his peers. Seth can't help but lie and deceive most people in his life. One of the most hated storylines of The O.C. is when Seth nefariously juggles two girls at once.
He convinces his on-and-off girlfriend Summer Roberts to go to college on the east coast with him, then lies to her when he doesn't get in. He ruins a meeting with publishers for a comic book they work on together. He disappears without telling his family where he is, worrying the loved ones in his life. Seth's lack of concern for others is consistent throughout the series.
Julie Cooper Nichol
Marissa's mother Julie is often presented as a villain. Some fans even see her as one of the most hated supporting characters in The O.C. She is far from the best mother to her daughter and seems more interested in wealth from husbands like Caleb Nichol than seeing her family excel.
Julie may have the characteristics of a gold-digger, but she isn't close to the least likable character in the series. Actions like getting intimate with her daughter's ex-boyfriend Luke make her seem maleficent. However, she shows her empathy and caring by the series' end, fighting for her family when the well of finances runs dry.
Summer Roberts
Summer is one of the more likable students at Harbor because of her actions. Unlike most of the main characters, Summer doesn't let her selfish desires get in the way of what is right. She functions as a helper to the problems of her friends like Marissa and Ryan.
Summer has a bubbly personality, and she is fun for audiences to watch. She isn't without fault, often marking snarky remarks of judgment to those around her. However, her actions never line up with her sometimes nasty comments, and she is a more appealing character as a result.
Kirsten Cohen
Kirsten is perhaps the most pleasant main character in the O.C. She enjoys being a mother and helping out her family and others, organizing charity events, and developing a close relationship with her son Seth.
Kirsten is so likable because of her peaceful demeanor. She handles problems thoughtfully, and rarely acts in self-centered behavior. She takes in Ryan when he is in need, and seamlessly integrates him into her family. All the while, she has a smile on her face.
Sandy Cohen
Sandy is an anomaly in his community. While most of the residents of Newport Beach are focused on their wealth and elitism, Sandy is a middle-class blue-collar lawyer from the east coast. Sandy is turned off by his community's materialism and is brave enough to let his views consistently be known.
Sandy is introduced working in the Public Defender's office, opting for a meaningful job with less pay. He moves on to different pursuits throughout the series but always has altruism in mind. His values make him likable, along with his consistent humor.
Ryan Atwood
Ryan appears to be the most likable character in The O.C. because he is a relatable underdog. He is an outsider in his community, more so than any other person fans encounter. While Seth isn't loved at school, he at least has the background of growing up in Newport.
Ryan has his flaws, and we see his anger and stubbornness make for bad decisions in his life. However, he fights his impulses to ditch his loved ones when things get rough. He sees himself as a protector and often puts his life on the line for others. He is serious but isn't without humor. Furthermore, he brings the Cohens together, even when it is out of their concern for him.