The exciting Neighbours news continues to come in thick and fast. <\/p>
Amazon Freevee may have just announced the kick off on production of the revival of Neighbours<\/a> but fans of the long-running Australian soap continue to be treated to further exciting news.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right, a new character is joining the drama of Ramsay Street. It\u2019s just been confirmed that The O.C.\u2019s Mischa Barton will be joining the cast as a guest star in the upcoming series.<\/p>\n Barton will be playing the role of Reece, \u201can American new to Erinsborough who\u2019s not quite who she appears to be\u201d, according to the press release.<\/p>\n Speaking about her new role, Barton said:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m excited to be part of this iconic show\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p> Similarly, Jason Herbison, Neighbours\u2019 executive producer, said: \u201cWith Neighbours launching on Amazon Freevee in North America, we are beyond excited to have an actor of Mischa\u2019s calibre join us for the beginning of this exciting new chapter.<\/p>\n \u201cMischa\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n While many will undoubtedly recognise Barton for her role as Marissa Cooper in The O.C. from 2003 to 2006, she has also starred in The Sixth Sense and The Beautiful Life, as well as reality shows like Dancing with the Stars and The Hills: New Beginnings. She\u2019s also set to next appear on our screens in murder mystery thriller Invitation to a Murder, which is set to be released this spring.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Neighbours revival has officially started production from Monday 17th April and as well as welcoming Barton to the cast, also sees the return of classic character Melanie Pearson, played by Lucinda Cowden.<\/p>\n The exciting news of her return was announced a day before production started on Sunday 16th April, with the official Neighbours account tweeting: \u201cWe\u2019re so excited to announce that Lucinda Cowden will be reprising her role as Melanie Pearson in new episodes of Neighbours later this year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t wait to welcome her back (and maybe her pig collection too). Even Madame Zolga couldn\u2019t have predicted this one!\u201d<\/p>\n