The OC star Mischa Barton joins Neighbours

The US actor, known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the iconic teen drama of the 00s, is set to make her debut on long-running Aussie soap.

‘The O.C.’ star Mischa Barton will join the cast of Neighbours.

Erinsborough here we come … Mischa Barton, the American star known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the iconic teen drama of the 2000s, The OC, is set to make her debut on the long-running Australian soap opera, Neighbours.

Barton will portray the role of Reece, an enigmatic American newcomer to Ramsay Street. “I‘m thrilled to be part of this iconic show’s next chapter, and I’m eagerly anticipating my return to Australia, a place that I know and love!” said Barton.

The OC (l-r) actor Tate Donovan with Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton, Melinda Clarke, Benjamin McKenzie, Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, Adam Brody and Chris Carmack.

Barton‘s casting was confirmed on the first day of filming for the new season in Melbourne, where fan favourites such as Alan Fletcher and Stefan Dennis were seen returning set.

Neighbours’ executive producer, Jason Herbison, also expressed his enthusiasm for the addition of Barton to the cast, saying, ”We are beyond excited to have an actor of Mischa’s calibre join us for this exciting new chapter.”

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

Lights, camera, action, let's go! 🎥 Brand new #Neighbours is officially in production!!! pic.twitter.com/cOgHSNwjsp

— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 17, 2023

The long-running soap opera, which in its 37-year run chronicled 68 deaths, 64 weddings, and 20 births in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, launched the international careers of stars such as Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, Liam Hemsworth, and Guy Pearce.

After 14 years of dwindling ratings on UK distributor Channel 5, the series concluded with a “farewell episode” in July 2022 — with the finale bringing in an all-time ratings high of 3 million viewers in the UK.

The show was resurrected by Amazon Freevee just three months after its supposed finale. A move that Pearce mocked at the AACTA awards in December last year, calling the reboot “a painful reminder that the things we love can be snatched away, never to return … unless Amazon comes in to save the day and makes our finale look like a rather expensive exercise”.