Rachel Bilson says she was ‘grateful’ to date co-star Adam Brody during The OC

‘It was definitely a unique experience, and I don’t think anyone else could have really understood it had they not been in it,’ actor says

Rachel Bilson has revealed what it was like to date Adam Brody, her co-star in The OC.

The pair dated for three years while they were starring in the teen drama, which ran from 2003 to 2007. Their characters Summer Roberts and Seth also had an onscreen romance.

During a recent interview with Nylon, Bilson said she was “grateful” for the support she had from Brody at the time.

“Because of what the show was and how young we all were, going through it with someone experiencing the same thing and having that kind of support was really awesome,” she said.

“I’m actually grateful that I did have it,” Bilson continued. “It was definitely a unique experience, and I don’t think anyone else could have really understood it had they not been in it, so for that reason, it was super helpful and supportive, and I have total gratitude for the whole experience.”

Bilson and her former co-star Melinda Clarke announced last month that they are launching a podcast, Welcome to the OC, Bitches!, which will feature the cast and creators as guests.

Two years after her split from Brody, Bilson went on to date Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen from 2008 to 2017. They share a six-year-old daughter, Briar Rose.

Brody married Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester in 2014. The two share a daughter – five-year-old Arlo Day – and a son, whose birth was confirmed in September 2020.