Chad Michael Murray fully supports a One Tree Hill sequel series. The actor, who starred on the popular CW series until its sixth season, recently shared that he hopes a follow-up series transpires for the sake of the show’s dedicated fans. Plans for a One Tree Hill continuation were announced in August, with Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush confirmed to return.
But during a conversation with Deadline, Murray shared how happy he is about the series in whatever form — and combination of characters old and new — comes to be:
“I really want some iteration of this show to come back for the fans. I’ll tell you, whatever iteration of the show comes forward, I want that for the fans. There’s such a brotherhood and a bond between so many people all around the world with us. I’m grateful for that.”
In August, Bush and Burton (who also collaborated on the One Tree Hill re-watch podcast, Drama Queens) discussed their participation in the reboot, which is being developed for Netflix. Along with reprising their roles as Peyton and Brooke, the two will also serve as executive producers alongside former co-star Danneel Ackles, who — at the time of the announcement — was in talks to reprise her role as Rachel Scott.
When plans for the series were revealed, it seemed that Murray’s return to the series was unlikely, with Deadline sharing that Murray had “no plans to return for the follow-up.” He has remained tight-lipped about any return or not.
Chad Michael Murray Praises ‘One Tree Hill’ Fans
One Tree Hill premiered in 2003 on the WB (which later turned into the CW), and quickly gained popularity. It maintained a solid following throughout its nine-season run. Murray starred in the popular teen drama alongside James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Bush, and Burton. The series centered on the complex relationship between half brothers Lucas (Murray) and Nathan Scott (Lafferty), and their close friends. Murray exited One Tree Hill following its sixth season alongside Burton, with the series seeing the two off as their characters got married, had a daughter, and decided to leave Tree Hill, North Carolina.
In an interview with PEOPLE while promoting his upcoming holiday flick The Merry Gentlemen, Murray again spoke fondly of One Tree Hill‘s loyal fan base:
“Without the fans, there is no ‘
One Tree Hill
,’ no matter whether we’re there making it or not. The show would’ve gone away a long time ago, but they’ve kept it alive, and it struck a chord with so many people, still today.”
He added:
“It’s wonderful to know that you’ve done something in your career that has affected so many people on a global scale and to be able to share that experience with them in those moments, it’s just an honor.”
While it remains to be seen if Murray will return as Lucas Scott, we know that he’ll reprise another of his popular on-screen characters when he appears in the anticipated Freaky Friday series starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Freakier Friday is slated for an August 8, 2025 release.
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One Tree Hill, which concluded its nine-season run in 2012, is currently streaming on Hulu and Max.
- Release Date
- September 23, 2003
- Cast
- James Lafferty , Bethany Joy Lenz , Paul Johansson , Sophia Bush , Robert Buckley , Austin Nichols , Shantel VanSanten
- Seasons
- 9
- Studio
- The CW