Mischa Barton to make UK stage debut in Double Indemnity

The OC star will take the role made famous by Barbara Stanwyck in James M Cain’s classic noir tale of murder and deceit, touring the UK in early 2026

Mischa Barton is to make her UK stage debut in a new version of James M Cain’s crime novel Double Indemnity. The actor, best known for the 00s TV series The OC, will take on the role played by Barbara Stanwyck in the 1944 film noir adaptation.

Barton described Double Indemnity as a “gripping tale of deceit, tension and suspense”. Her character, Phyllis, concocts a scheme with a salesman to murder her husband and make it look like an accident, in order to cash in on the eponymous clause in his life insurance policy.