WILLA HOLLAND CAST AS KAITLIN COOPER, MARISSA'S SISTER, ON "THE O.C."

Willa Holland has been cast in the role of "Kaitlin Cooper," Marissa's sister, on THE O.C. Holland begins production this week and will appear in a multi-episode arc starting in early 2006. THE O.C. airs Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Holland's character "Kaitlin Cooper," age 14, has returned to the O.C. during her winter break from an exclusive Montecito boarding school, bringing a lot of attitude and a few secrets of her own. Much more in the mold of her mother Julie Cooper than her sister Marissa, Kaitlin will wreak havoc, turn heads and introduce a darker, edgier element to the sun-drenched O.C.

"Willa is a real presence and a wonderful actress," says THE O.C. creator and executive producer Josh Schwartz. "She can be sweet as a little girl, but also dangerous and much more self-possessed than her age would suggest. She seems like Mischa Barton's little sister and looks it, too. She's a real original, with the same sophisticated allure that Mischa possesses. She's going to break a lot of hearts."

Holland, age 14, can be seen modeling in campaigns for Guess, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and Ralph Lauren. She has been a guest star on "The Comeback" and appeared in the FOX pilot for "The Inside." Holland grew up in London and Los Angeles and is the stepdaughter of director Brian De Palma. She currently lives with her family in Los Angeles.

From Wonderland Sound and Vision and College Hill Pictures and in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc., THE O.C. is executive-produced by Josh Schwartz, Bob DeLaurentis and McG. Stephanie Savage serves as co-executive producer and Ian Toynton is supervising producer. The series stars Peter Gallagher (Sandy Cohen), Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen), Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan Atwood), Mischa Barton (Marissa Cooper), Adam Brody (Seth Cohen), Melinda Clarke (Julie Cooper) and Rachel Bilson (Summer Roberts).