Twenty years after its finale, the original cast of MTV's culture-defining reality show 'Laguna Beach' is getting back together for a two-hour reunion special on The Roku Channel, betting that millennial nostalgia can drive viewership to its free, ad-supported streaming platform.
The old crew is back: Original stars Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, and Stephen Colletti are returning for the 2026 special and will also serve as executive producers. They'll be joined by fellow alumni from the influential show, 'Laguna Beach,' including Lo Bosworth, Talan Torriero, and Dieter Schmitz.
A bet on nostalgia: Roku is positioning the event to capture a generation of viewers who grew up with the series. "‘Laguna Beach’ wasn’t just a television series; it defined a generation of pop culture and paved the way for the reality genre as we know it,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Roku Originals.
Creator's new chapter: The project marks the first commission for series creator Liz Gateley's new company, Damsel Productions, who also returns to executive produce. "To partner with Roku to reunite the cast and produce this special with Lauren, Stephen, and Kristin as Executive Producers 20 years later is a dream,” Gateley said.
In a crowded streaming market, Roku is digging into the archives for proven IP, a strategy that leverages built-in audiences to cut through the noise on its free platform.
The official reunion isn't the only time the cast has gotten together recently; Kristin Cavallari joked that a separate podcast tour reunion got chaotic, saying "the wheels just started falling off." The original reality series itself was reportedly inspired by the success of the scripted Fox drama The O.C., which was set in the same coastal California community.
