Mischa Barton has been released from hospital.

The former 'O.C.' actress has been allowed to leave Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - where she was placed under involuntary psychiatric hold on July 15 - to return to work on her new TV show 'The Beautiful Life'.

Her representative Craig Schneider said yesterday (27.07.09): "I can confirm that she's left the hospital with the intention to resume production."

Filming of the series - which is produced by Ashton Kutcher - was due to start on July 22, but had been put back amid claims the set was not ready in time.

It was denied that Mischa's hospitalisation was to blame for the change of start date. Shooting is now due to begin on Friday (31.07.09).

The 23-year-old star had been placed under a 5150 hold - which allows people to be forcibly held if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others, are gravely disabled or have a mental disorder - after friends became worried she was suicidal.

It is claimed Mischa had been using drugs and alcohol to cope with financial problems and her turbulent love life.

Last week, Ashton said: "I can tell you right now Mischa Barton is doing great."

The upcoming series is about a group of models who live and work together in New York.

Mischa will play a model who is desperate for fame and success but struggles to cope with the pressures of working in the fashion world.