The O.C star Mischa Barton is pictured on set of Neighbours for the first time

Mischa Barton was first spotted on the set of Neighbors days after it was announced she was part of the cast of the upcoming Amazon reboot.

The British-born American actress, 37, who is best known for her role in teen drama The OC, was seen arriving at Nunawading studios in Melbourne on Wednesday.

She made an unobtrusive arrival in stylish sunglasses and a tan suede jacket as she jumped out of a car.

The former Hollywood socialite plays Reece, an American woman who has just arrived on Ramsay Street but whose identity is “not what it seems.”

Her character is designed to appeal to American viewers, as Neighbours, set in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, will be shown in the US on the ad-supported streaming platform Amazon Freevee.

Mischa Barton has been spotted on the set of Neighbors for the first time days after she was announced to be part of the cast of the upcoming Amazon reboot

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

“I think Reece’s character will be a great role for me to explore and play with,” she added.

Neighbors executive producer Jason Herbison said, “As Neighbors launches on Amazon Freevee in North America, we are beyond excited to have an actor of Mischa’s caliber join us for the start of this exciting new chapter.

The British-born American actress, 37, who is best known for her role in teen drama The OC, was seen arriving at Nunawading studios in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The British-born American actress, 37, who is best known for her role in teen drama The OC, was seen arriving at Nunawading studios in Melbourne on Wednesday.

She made an unobtrusive arrival in stylish sunglasses and a tan suede jacket as she jumped out of a car

The former Hollywood socialite plays Reece, an American woman who has just arrived on Ramsay Street but whose identity is 'not what it seems'

She made an unobtrusive arrival in stylish sunglasses and a tan suede jacket as she jumped out of a car

‘Mischa’s character is dynamic and unpredictable and will be an instant presence in Ramsay Street. Our loyal viewers will love her, at home and abroad.’

Neighbors fans from Australia and the UK have largely welcomed the casting, but some have found the decision baffling.

‘OMG! I certainly didn’t have Mischa Barton on Neighbors on my bingo card for 2023!’ a viewer tweeted after the announcement.

1681957410 528 The OC star Mischa Barton is pictured on set of

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

Neighbors fans from Australia and the UK have largely welcomed the casting, but some have found the decision baffling.  Pictured: Cast and crew on set on Wednesday

Neighbors fans from Australia and the UK have largely welcomed the casting, but some have found the decision baffling. Pictured: Cast and crew on set on Wednesday

Pictured is Alan Fletcher, who plays Karl Kennedy on the hit soap opera

Stefan Dennis was also pictured on set

The photo shows Alan Fletcher, who plays Karl Kennedy in the hit soap opera, and Stefan Dennis, who plays businessman Paul Robinson

“Micha Barton on Neighbours… WTF,” wrote another.

Barton began her career as a child actress in Hollywood films such as The Sixth Sense and Notting Hill, both of which were released in 1999.

However, she became a bona fide superstar when she was cast as the troubled teen Marissa on the hit TV series The OC which ran from 2003 to 2007.

Her career foundered after she quit The O.C. at the end of the third season, and Barton publicly struggled with life in the spotlight.

She became a bona fide superstar when she was cast as the troubled teen Marissa on the hit TV series The OC which ran from 2003 to 2007.

She became a bona fide superstar when she was cast as the troubled teen Marissa on the hit TV series The OC which ran from 2003 to 2007.

Barton’s troubles came to a head in 2017 when footage surfaced of her screaming about her mother and the end of the world in her LA backyard.

She’s in a better place now, scoring a role in the first season of The Hills: New Beginnings, which has since been canceled by MTV.

Cameras started rolling for Amazon’s revived Neighbors on Monday, and the series should return to screens by the end of this year.

The sequel of the long-running soap opera follows the million-watched finale in 2022.

Her career foundered after she quit The O.C. at the end of the third season, and Barton publicly struggled with life in the spotlight.  Pictured with the cast in 2003

Her career foundered after she quit The O.C. at the end of the third season, and Barton publicly struggled with life in the spotlight. Pictured with the cast in 2003