Mischa Barton series 'Beautiful Life' postponed

Sources: Actress 'meltdown' didn't cause delay

By Nellie Andreeva

July 18, 2009, 01:22 AM ET

The production start on CW's new drama "The Beautiful Life" has been pushed back by a week, from July 22 to July 31.

And despite the widely publicized recent meltdown and hospitalization of co-star Mischa Barton, sources close to the show say the reason for the delay is far more mundane: Some of the sets for the show were not completed on time.

Still, given her medical issues, Barton's situation on the show remains unclear.

"Beautiful Life," executive produced by Ashton Kutcher, revolves around a group of models living together in a coed residence in New York. On the series, which is scheduled to premiere Sept. 16 behind "America's Next Top Model," the "O.C." alumna plays a supermodel and veteran of the high-fashion circuit who is struggling to keep on top and is in danger of slipping.

"Beautiful Life" has been getting an extra dose of prelaunch publicity from the tabloid exploits of Barton, who, following a call to the police on Wednesday night, was put under an involuntary psychiatric hold at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She spent time in rehab last year.

Mischa Barton series 'Beautiful Life' postponed

Sources: Actress 'meltdown' didn't cause delay

By Nellie Andreeva

July 18, 2009, 01:22 AM ET