The dossier
The corrupt king of Orange County
Caleb Nichols views human relationships entirely as business transactions. He is completely dismissive of his daughter’s philanthropic husband, Sandy, constantly attempting to crush his idealism with raw, undeniable financial power.
Alan Dale is absolutely fantastic in the role, delivering devastating insults with a calm, bored sophistication. He is the ultimate, untouchable patriarch, a man who believes he can simply buy his way out of any consequence.
His presence drives the primary conflict of the show’s early seasons. Caleb proves that the beautiful, sun-drenched beaches of California are built entirely on secrets, corruption, and massive, unearned privilege.