Exclusive Interview: Good Girl Goes Bad On “The O.C.”

Jan 17, 2006 15:30



Two seasons ago, the pampered, naive Kaitlin Cooper was whisked away to boarding school as her family’s life of luxury came crashing down.

Now, apparently hardened by life in the exclusive Montecito institution, Kaitlin Cooper returns to “The O.C.” more so in the mold of her cold, manipulative mother Julie (Melinda Clarke) than her warm-hearted, but misguided sister Marissa (Mischa Barton).

And, as made clear in the commercial teasers, she grew boobs - and a sex drive - while away from the action in Newport Beach.

In a teen soap rarity, the character, now fourteen, will be played by an actress of the same age: Willa Holland.

Holland, the stepdaughter of acclaimed film director Brian DePalma, says fans will be “surprised and satisfied” when they meet the new version of Kaitlin Cooper.

“She’s trouble - she’s just pure, fun, trouble,” Holland tells HEADLINEPLANET in a phone interview. “She’s going to make these next few episodes guaranteed to be interesting. She’s got a lot of character to her. She brings a whole other side to the show.”

According to the actress, the Kaitlin character has only been given a shallow account of the many events that have affected her family over the past few years. Thus, things are destined to get interesting when Kaitlin receives a first-hand glimpse of what her family has truly become.

Holland is also confident that her character is not a mere reproduction of the “pretty on the outside, ugly on the inside” soap opera cliche.

“I think with the way that her storylines go, I think it goes away from that [cliche]. It brings a bit more character towards her,” she says.

In addition to stirring the pot within her own family, advertisements for the show suggest that Kaitlin will also have a fling with Johnny (Ryan Donowho), the sympathetic high school senior who, so far this season, has lost his girlfriend, waved goodbye to dreams of becoming a pro surfer and failed to become more than friends with Marissa.

“It was extremely, hilariously awkward,” the fourteen year old says of filming her scenes with the much-older Donowho. “When I read the script, I ran to Ryan and said, ‘You might want to pick up the script like NOW.’ It was hilarious. It was so awkward. We had to do so many rehearsals.”

Nonetheless, the two overcame the awkwardness of the scenes and became very close off-screen, Holland says.

“I look up to him as an older brother,” she remarked.

Although Holland was only signed to play the character for a temporary stint, the door might be left open for Kaitlin to join the show in a more regular role, should producers deem her multi-episode arc successful.

And, the chance to join the show permanently would certainly not upset Holland, who says the set has become her home.

“The set has become part of my home,” she says. “It has become such a big part of my life. I miss it every time I’m not there.”

Holland, a well-known child model, has several television and movie appearances on her resume. But, according to the actress, the chance to appear on The O.C. was unlike any of her previous duties.

“I was so, so excited, so happy [to get cast as Kaitlin],” she says. “Jobs like this rarely come around. It was such an honor to be part of the show.”

Willa Holland’s multi-episode stint on the show begins next Thursday in the show’s new 9PM timeslot. After scoring a poor 3.4 rating in its new time period debut, those behind the show are certainly hoping the Kaitlin character shakes things up.

And, as far as Holland is concerned, viewers should definitely tune in for Kaitlin’s return next week.

“I think they should just watch because, honestly, they’re going to be shocked when Kaitlin comes back,” she says. “She’s going to bring some things that nobody could expect.”

Source: http://headlineplanet.com

HAHA...Can't wait to see what all you Willa/Kaitlin haters have to say about this :D

character: kaitlin cooper

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