Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County is an American reality television series that originally aired on MTV from September 28, 2004 until November 15, 2006. The series aired three seasons and focused on the personal lives of several students attending Laguna Beach High School. Its premise was originated with Liz Gateley, while Tony DiSanto served as the executive producer.

Throughout its run, the series was led by seven (season 1), eight (season 2), and nine (season 3) primary cast members, who were credited by their first names. Their storylines were largely developed by a number of supporting cast members. Its original main cast members were Stephen Colletti, Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, Trey Phillips, Christina Schuller, Morgan Olsen, Talan Torriero, and Lo Bosworth. Cavallari's friends Alex Hooser and Jessica Smith developed major positions as part of the supporting cast in the first season. In the second season, Bosworth, Olsen, Phillips, and Schuller became supporting cast members while Smith, Alex Murrel, Taylor Cole, and Jason Wahler were integrated into the main cast.

In the third season, Smith and her friend Alex Hooser, who was previously a supporting position, became the sole returning cast members. The rest were replaced by Tessa Keller, Cameron Brinkman, Kyndra Mayo, Rocky Donatelli, Breanna Conrad, Kelan Hurley, Lexie Contursi, Cami Edwards, and Chase Johnson.