Mabius joins cast of 'The O.C.'

LOS ANGELES, July 18 (UPI) -- Actor Eric Mabius is joining Jeri Ryan as the latest additions to the cast of Fox TV's teen drama, "The O.C."

Mabius, last seen on ABC's "Eyes," hops aboard "The O.C." in the third season as the dean of discipline brought in to calm safety concerns at the fictional Harbor High School, the Hollywood Reporter said Monday.

The dean knocks heads with the four teens central to the weekly drama -- Marissa played by Mischa Barton, Benjamin McKenzie's Ryan, Seth played by Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson's Summer, the Reporter said.

It was announced last week that Ryan, most recently of "Boston Public," would play a recurring character during the season that begins Sept. 8.