skip to main content

Mischa Barton joins cast of Neighbours

Mischa Barton - "I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with"
Mischa Barton - "I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with"

Mischa Barton is set to join Neighbours for the Australian soap's revival on Amazon Freevee.

The O.C. actress will guest star in the forthcoming series, which was confirmed last year after the soap was axed from its previous home on the UK's Channel 5.

Barton will arrive in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough as Reece, an American who is new to the area and "not quite who she appears to be".

Speaking about joining the soap, which first aired in 1985, the 37-year-old said: "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!

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

The final episode of Neighbours aired in July 2022 when the soap failed to secure new funding after being dropped by Channel 5 in the UK.

Despite its initial axing, the long-running show has been revived by streaming site Amazon Freevee and production company Fremantle, with a new series to begin on the service in the autumn.

A new series of Neighbours will begin in the autumn

Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison said: "With Neighbours launching on Amazon Freevee in North America, 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. Our loyal viewers are going to love her, locally and abroad."

Barton is best known for her portrayal of Marissa Cooper in the TV series The O.C. but has also appeared in a number of films, including Lawn Dogs and The Sixth Sense.

Born in London to an Irish mother and English father, Barton has also starred in a variety of stage productions, including Where the Truth Lies, Twelve Dreams and One Flea Spare.

The forthcoming Neighbours reboot, which will see the return of a number of recognisable on-screen characters including Susan and Karl Kennedy, Toadie Rebecchi and Paul Robinson, began filming in Melbourne on 17 April.

The revitalised series will premiere free of charge exclusively on Amazon Freevee. The site will also stream thousands of Neighbours episodes from the archives.

The series will also stream on Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Source: Press Association

Click here for more on the soaps.

Read Next