Chad Michael Murray was an integral part of the teenage pop culture experience in the early 2000s, with TV and movie roles on Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek, Freaky Friday, A Cinderella Story and (excuse me while I swoon) as Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill. With a reboot of One Tree Hill reportedly in the works, the former star had a meaningful message about what he hopes the new series will focus on.
Back in August 2024, it was announced a sequel series was in development with former One Tree Hill stars Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton and Daneel Ackles signed on as executive producers (and expected to reprise their former characters). While Chad Michael Murray will not be returning to the show, according to reports, he does want to see the series come to fruition for a new generation of fans. He told Extra:
I hope for this new generation. I really do hope. I think that that show struck a chord with so many people. I mean, we know it did, and still today — now, I think it’s on HBO Max or something — but it’s been on every streaming platform and it’s done so well everywhere. And we have fans that are 13, 14 years old and I’m like, ‘You guys weren’t even born when we were shooting.’ Like my mind explodes.
HBO Max subscription or a Hulu subscription, in fact — giving so many people access to it, regardless of if they were fans during its original run from 2003 to 2012.
Tyler Hilton said he’s down to reprise his role as Chris Keller alongside Sophia Bush (aka Brooke Davis), Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer) and Daneel Ackles (Rachel Gatina), and I can’t wait to see what other faces might pop up — as well as meet some younger characters. Hopefully we’ll get a positive update soon.