Ananova:

Actress Mischa Barton has signed up to star in a remake of St Trinian's.

The 21-year old, who shot to fame in teen soap The OC, will join the likes of Girls Aloud, Rupert Everett and Colin Firth for the British comedy.

According to Ealing studios, Barton will play the character JJ French, while Stephen Fry, Jodie Whittaker, Lily Cole and Celia Imrie are also set to appear.

St Trinian's is being filmed in and around London and is being directed by Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson.

The original cast featured George Cole, Alastair Sim and Joyce Grenfell.

The St Trinian's stories started as cartoons by Ronald Searle. The first film - The Belles of St Trinian's - was released in 1954 and spawned several sequels.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.