Actress Emma Roberts has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, starring in a variety of projects from American Horror Story to the upcoming Netflix series Tell Me Lies. But it turns out the 33-year-old star has a longstanding connection to one of the most iconic teen dramas of the 2000s—and she’s now using that nostalgia to create her own slice of small-screen magic.
The O.C. Connection
In a recent interview with NYC, Emma Roberts opened up about her lifelong love for the hit series The O.C., revealing that she even had the opportunity to audition for the role of Marissa Cooper’s younger sister, Kaitlin. However, her mother ultimately shut down that possibility, deeming the show “inappropriate” for her young daughter.
“I remember at one point, they wanted me to audition to play Marissa Cooper’s little sister, and my mom wouldn’t let me. I’m still upset at her,” Roberts admitted, clearly still harboring a bit of resentment over the missed opportunity.
Despite multiple recasts of Kaitlin during the show’s four-season run, Roberts’ affection for The O.C. has only intensified over time. In fact, the actress cites the series as a major inspiration for her latest project—a new Netflix show called Calabasas, which she’s co-executive producing with none other than Kim Kardashian.
Calabasas: The Next Great Teen Drama?
According to Roberts, Calabasas is shaping up to be a captivating blend of The O.C. and another beloved teen series, Pretty Little Liars. With Marlene King, the acclaimed showrunner behind PLL, at the helm, the new show promises to deliver the same intriguing mix of drama, mystery, and complex relationships that made both of those earlier hits so compelling.
“I mean, there’s not really much I can share other than I just feel like I want, you know, the next, The O.C., and I think that if we do this right, it’ll be a little The O.C., a little Pretty Little Liars,” Roberts teased. “Kim and I are just two Calabasas girls going back to our roots.”
With both Roberts and Kardashian attached to the project, Calabasas is already generating significant buzz among fans of the genre. The prospect of seeing these two pop culture icons collaborate on a new teen drama is undoubtedly an enticing one, and the involvement of a proven showrunner like Marlene King only heightens the anticipation.
A lifelong love for teen dramas
Emma Roberts‘ enthusiasm for Calabasas and her lingering disappointment over missing out on The O.C. speak to a deeper, lifelong connection to the teen drama genre. The actress, who has been a professed fan of these types of shows since her own adolescence, is clearly eager to add her own unique touch to the format.
“I remember seeing Pretty Little Liars and being like, ‘I wish I was on that show.’ It was just so cool and so fun,” Roberts gushed. “I just feel like I want, you know, the next The O.C., and I think that if we do this right, it’ll be a little The O.C., a little Pretty Little Liars.”
With her extensive acting experience and a proven co-producer in Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts is well-positioned to deliver on that promise. And for fans of iconic teen dramas, the prospect of a new series that captures the same blend of drama, mystery, and relatable characters is sure to be an enticement.
Roberts and her team will undoubtedly showcase her lifelong passion for this genre as they work to bring Calabasas to life. And for those who have been eagerly awaiting the next excellent teen drama, the wait may soon be over.
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