Hollywood star to join Neighbours reboot

A Hollywood star is heading to Ramsay Street to join the cast of Neighbours in what is being hailed as a major coup for revitalised Aussie soap.

Hollywood star Mischa Barton is heading to Ramsay Street, joining the cast of Neighbours in an extended guest role.

In a huge coup for the revitalised series, Barton, who shot to fame as star of The O.C., will portray the character of Reece, an American new to Erinsborough who’s not quite who she appears to be.

“I’m excited to be part of this iconic show’s next chapter, and I am really looking forward to being back in Australia, a place I know and love!,” Barton said.

Mischa Barton will join the cast of Neighbours. Picture: Getty Images

Barton shot to fame as Marissa Cooper on The O.C. alongside Benjamin McKenzie and Peter Gallagher.

“I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with.”

The British-American actor won a legion of fans with her teen soap role as Marissa Cooper in The O.C. which started in 2003.

She has also appeared in The Hills: New Beginnings, The Sixth Sense and worked alongside Hollywood royalty in Notting Hill.

Barton will make her on screen debut when the show, rescued by Network 10 and Amazon Freevee and Amazon Prime, airs later this year.

Cast including many long-time favourites returned to the set on Monday for the first day of filming.

Jason Herbison, Neighbours executive producer, said: “We are beyond excited to have an actor of Mischa’s calibre join us for the beginning of this exciting new chapter”.

“Mischa’s character is dynamic and unpredictable, and will have an instant presence on Ramsay Street,” he said.

Barton has previously dated Melbourne heir James Abercombie and it’s believed they split in 2019.

She was one of the big name guests here back in 2012 when she attended the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.