Mischa Barton, who rose to fame as Marissa Cooper in the iconic noughties teen drama The OC, has spoken candidly about the challenges of sudden celebrity and how she has navigated her career since. In a new interview, the actress reflects on feeling out of step with her generation and her latest role in a touring stage adaptation of James L Cain's crime novel Double Indemnity.
Embracing Period Roles and British Roots
Barton explains that she has always felt disconnected from her peers, describing herself as belonging to a different era. This sensibility, she says, makes her particularly drawn to period roles. Her current part as Phyllis Nirdlinger, a scheming 1930s femme fatale in Double Indemnity, allows her to explore this affinity. The character, famously portrayed by Barbara Stanwyck in the 1944 film, is a manipulative housewife who plots with her lover to kill her husband for insurance money.
Having been born in London before moving to the United States as a child, Barton also expresses a strong connection to her British heritage. She notes that her sarcastic, British-influenced humour often intrigued Americans but was not always fully understood. This return to the UK for the play's tour feels like a homecoming of sorts.
The Relevance of Double Indemnity Today
Barton believes the themes of Double Indemnity resonate strongly with contemporary audiences. She draws parallels between the post-Great Depression setting of the story and today's socio-economic climate, describing both as "slightly broken" worlds marked by lawlessness and desperation. Despite the dark subject matter, she finds joy in portraying Phyllis, a character who uses being underestimated by macho men to her advantage.
This aspect of the role is something Barton can relate to personally. She feels that the overwhelming success of The OC has sometimes overshadowed the breadth of her career, particularly her early work in theatre. Many people, she notes, are unaware that she began her acting career on the New York stage at just eight years old, in a play by Tony Kushner.
The Weight of Fame and The OC Legacy
Barton was only 17 when she started on The OC, unaware of the cultural phenomenon it would become. The intense media scrutiny and paparazzi attention in Los Angeles at the time took a significant toll. She has previously discussed feeling unprotected behind the scenes, which contributed to her decision to leave the show after three seasons. The aftermath included breakdowns and PTSD linked to her traumatic experiences in the spotlight.
Today, however, she views her time on the show with more fondness, acknowledging the rarity of being part of such a hit series. She also appreciates that The OC is now finding a new audience among Gen Z viewers, who see it as a representation of a simpler, pre-social media era. Barton remarks that the show captures a time when socialising meant physically meeting friends, rather than connecting online.
Career Struggles and Recent Successes
After The OC, Barton faced difficulties escaping the shadow of Marissa Cooper, often being offered similar roles that she had to decline. Career highlights included working with director Richard Attenborough and Shirley MacLaine on the film Chasing the Ring. A less positive experience was her brief stint on the reality series The Hills in 2019, where she found the artificiality of the format uncomfortable.
Now aged 40, Barton feels more settled, crediting a move back to New York from Los Angeles with providing a more grounded environment. She has recently found success with her own murder mystery franchise, playing florist-turned-sleuth Miranda Green, with a third film in production. Looking forward, she is enthusiastic about the increasing diversity of roles for women in their 40s and 50s, moving beyond stereotypical parts like the wife or mother.
Double Indemnity continues its UK tour, offering audiences a chance to see Barton in this classic noir tale. Her journey from teen idol to seasoned stage actress highlights her resilience and evolving artistic identity.
