Today, Amazon Freevee, Prime Video and Fremantle announced a new character will be joining Ramsay Street in the upcoming season of Neighbours.
Mischa Barton (The O.C., Invitation to a Murder) joins the cast as a guest star, playing Reece, an American new to Erinsborough who’s not quite who she appears to be.
Jason Harbison, Neighbours’ executive producer, 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 shared her enthusiasm as well, and 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 continuation of the long-running soap series – follows the finale in 2022, which was watched by millions of fans. The revitalised series will premiere for free, exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and will also stream on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia and episodes will be available ad-free on Prime Video in Australia seven days later. Previous seasons of Neighbours are currently available to stream on Prime Video Australia.
The new chapter of Neighbours officially started production yesterday in Melbourne and the Neighbours Training Program was also announced, which is an on-the-ground training initiative for emerging creatives made possible by Amazon Freevee resurrecting the series.
The collaboration which is backed by VicScreen, provides opportunities across a spectrum of above and below-the-line production specialities including directing, writing, production, postproduction, art department, accounting, sound, lighting, and grips, to gain experience.
The new season of Neighbours launches later this year.