Mischa Barton, an actress from Hollywood and The OC, will join the Australian serial opera Neighbours, which will return to screens later this year.
According to the show’s producers, Barton will portray Reece, an American “who is not quite who she appears to be.”
Amazon is relaunching Neighbours after the series concluded its 37-year run on television in 2022.
Variety magazine reported that filming resumed in Melbourne on April 17.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the next chapter of this iconic show, and I can’t wait to return to Australia, a place I know and adore!” Barton stated in a declaration.
“Mischa’s character is dynamic and unpredictable, and she will have an instant presence,” said executive producer Jason Herbison.
Locally and internationally, our devoted audience will adore her.
Barton, who was born in the United Kingdom, is best known for her portrayal as Marissa Cooper in the 2003-2006 teen drama The OC. She has also appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including The Sixth Sense and Notting Hill.
Following Channel 5’s announcement that it could no longer finance production, Neighbours had a much-anticipated finale last year.
Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, and Jason Donovan, among others, returned in the “final episode” after making early career appearances on the program.
Later, Pearce remarked wryly that his return was “a painful reminder that the things we love can be snatched away, never to return… unless Amazon saves the day and makes our finale look like a rather costly exercise.”
Rebekah Elmaloglou (Terese Willis), Tim Kano (Leo Tanaka), Georgie Stone (Mackenzie Hargreaves), and Annie Jones (Jane Harris) will reprise their roles as series regulars, while veterans Ian Smith (Harold Bishop), Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson), and April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan) will return in guest roles.
The new Neighbours will air on Amazon’s Freevee service in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as on Channel 10 and Prime Video in Australia.
Also Read: Juan Williams Of Fox News Quits The Five! 43 Years Married Life
