Welcome back to The O.C., bitch! Benjamin McKenzie returned to his days as Ryan Atwood this week, donning his teen drama character's trademark wardrobe of a white tank top.
The brawny actor, 35, got back to his sleeveless roots while filming the Fox television show Gotham, which is set to premiere later this month. In the upcoming show, he plays James Gordon, a police commissioner who works with Batman.
McKenzie was seen filming scenes in New York City, wearing the close-fitting white tank with a pair of grey trousers and dress shoes — a refined flip on Ryan's shirt of choice.
From 2003 to 2007, McKenzie played the token bad boy on The O.C., becoming synonymous with the white tank top as he highlighted his rough-and-tumble roots in Chino before relocating to the wealthy coastal California area of Orange County.
The tanks even became a running joke in the show, which also starred Adam Brody, Mischa Barton, and Rachel Bilson, among others. Brody's character Seth Cohen repeatedly jibed Ryan about his affinity for the tops, saying in one episode, "We all know you can get a lot of mileage out of a tank top."
Even Barton's character Marissa Cooper got in on the fun, joking to Ryan in one scene, "Can I borrow one of your tank tops so I can look as cool as you?"
After The O.C. wrapped in 2007, McKenzie traded in his undershirt for a police uniform, playing Officer Ben Sherman in the acclaimed drama program Southland. With Southland's 2013 wrap, McKenzie will return to the small screen on Sept. 22 when Gotham makes its debut.
