<P> The show, set in San Francisco, centered on the five Salinger siblings (the "party of five" of the show's title), who become orphans after their parents are killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver . The family is composed of 24 - year - old Charlie (Matthew Fox), the eldest, a womanizing, immature manual laborer who struggles with the responsibility of being the new head of the family; 16 - year - old Bailey (Scott Wolf), the once - rebellious teen turned responsible caretaker--and later - turned - substance abuser; 15 - year - old Julia (Neve Campbell), a sensitive teen; 11 - year - old Claudia (Lacey Chabert), a precocious child prodigy; and baby Owen, age one . </P> <P> The siblings take over the running of their family's restaurant, Salinger's . Charlie initially serves as bartender and manager, and later Bailey takes over . The struggles the Salingers face over the years include Charlie's battle with cancer in Season 4, Bailey's battle with alcoholism in Season 3, Julia's dealing with domestic violence in a relationship in Season 5, and the long - term effects of parental loss . </P> <P> As the series progressed, romantic relationships became plot points and new cast members joined the show, including Jennifer Love Hewitt as Bailey's girlfriend Sarah, Jeremy London as Julia's bad - boy boyfriend and later husband Griffin, and Paula Devicq as Owen's nanny Kirsten, who developed an on - again - off - again relationship with Charlie throughout the series . </P> <Ul> <Li> Scott Wolf as Bailey Salinger (ages 16--22); the second - born sibling who is forced to grow up fast and deal with life after his parents' deaths . </Li> <Li> Matthew Fox as Charlie Salinger (ages 24--30); the eldest sibling who struggles to live his own life in the reluctant role of legal guardian to his brothers and sisters . Immature and insecure, he dropped out of college his senior year to "find himself" and was planning to re-enroll when his parents' deaths made him his siblings' legal guardian . </Li> <Li> Neve Campbell as Julia Salinger (ages 15--21); a highly intelligent, emotionally sensitive teen who struggles to adjust to being an orphan and having more family responsibilities . </Li> <Li> Lacey Chabert as Claudia Salinger (ages 11--17); a gifted violinist struggling to build a life for herself and also deal with being an orphan . </Li> <Li> The role of the youngest, Owen Salinger; (ages 1 - 7) was recast three times as the character grew . He was played by Alexander and Zachary Ahnert in the pilot episode, Brandon and Taylor Porter as an infant, Andrew and Stephen Cavarno as a preschooler, and Jacob Smith until the end of the show . </Li> <Li> Paula Devicq as Kirsten Bennett Salinger; a graduate student who is hired as Owen Salinger's nanny and becomes romantically involved with Charlie off - and - on during the series . </Li> <Li> Scott Grimes as Will McCorkle (seasons 1--2, 6, recurring otherwise); Bailey's best friend from high school . </Li> <Li> Michael Goorjian as Justin Thompson (season 2, recurring otherwise); Julia's friend, and later boyfriend, during the series . </Li> <Li> Jennifer Love Hewitt as Sarah Reeves Merrin (seasons 2--6); Bailey's sensitive, off - and - on girlfriend from high school who also struggles to "find herself". </Li> <Li> Alexondra Lee as Callie Martel (season 3); Bailey's roommate during his first year at college . </Li> <Li> Jeremy London as Griffin Chase Holbrook (seasons 4--6, recurring seasons 2--3); moody and troubled teenager with whom Julia becomes involved . Older brother of Jill Holbrook . The character was originally portrayed by James Marsden in one first - season episode . </Li> <Li> Jennifer Aspen as Daphne Jablonsky (season 6, recurring seasons 4--5); a part - time "erotic dancer" who becomes involved with Charlie and later has his baby . </Li> </Ul>

Who does charlie end up with in party of five