Ryan Atwood is a fictional character from the television series The O.C., which aired from 2003 to 2007. He is portrayed by actor Ben McKenzie. Ryan is introduced as a troubled teenager from Chino, California, who moves to the affluent community of Newport Beach after being taken in by the Cohen family. Throughout the series, Ryan struggles with his past while trying to adapt to his new life. He forms close relationships with other characters, including Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper, and often finds himself caught between his old life and the challenges of his new environment.