A CLOUD HANGS OVER ORANGE COUNTY ON THE THIRD SEASON PREMIERE OF "THE O.C." THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, ON FOX

Jeri Ryan Guest-Stars

When THE O.C. returns for its third season, Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer are about to begin their senior year at Harbor High. But while everyone else celebrates the last days of summer, a dark cloud hangs over the foursome. Trey Ryan's brother, still clings to life two months after the shooting and the cops want to know who really shot him. Will Ryan take the fall for Marissa? Meanwhile, Julie Cooper and Marissa's father, Jimmy, are determined to protect Marissa at whatever cost. And while Sandy, Seth and Ryan try to fend for themselves at home, Kirsten, still recovering in her plush rehab by the sea, forms a friendship with fellow recovering alcoholic Charlotte, who - like all things in the O.C. - may not be everything she appears to be on "The Aftermath" episode of THE O.C Thursday, Sept. 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OC-301) (TV-TBA)

Cast: Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen, Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood, Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper, Rachel Bilson as Summer, Adam Brody as Seth Cohen, Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen, and Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper.

Guest Cast: Tate Donovan as Jimmy Cooper, Logan Marshall-Green as Trey Atwood, Jeri Ryan as Charlotte Morgan, Timothy Omundson as Deputy District Attorney Caldwell, Garrett Brown as Dr. Woodruff and Michael Adler as Jeff Frenkel