Chad Michael Murray Says He Fully Supports A ‘One Tree Hill’ Sequel

One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray, who starred in the original CW series, says he fully supports a sequel for the fans.

The actor, known for his role in the hit series until its sixth season, recently expressed his hope for a follow-up series to give back to the show’s loyal fanbase.

Plans for a One Tree Hill continuation were unveiled in August, with Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush confirmed to reprise their roles.

In a conversation with Deadline, Murray shared his enthusiasm for the series, regardless of its format or mix of original and new characters.

“I really want some iteration of this show to come back for the fans,” he said. “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.”

Bush and Burton, who also co-host the One Tree Hill re-watch podcast Drama Queens, have confirmed their involvement in the reboot, which is being developed for Netflix. Alongside reprising their roles as Peyton and Brooke, they will also serve as executive producers, joining forces with former co-star Danneel Ackles. At the time of the announcement, Ackles was in discussions to return as Rachel Scott.

Although Murray’s return appears unlikely, with Deadline reporting that he had “no plans to return for the follow-up,” he has remained hush on the subject.

First premiering in 2003 on the WB (later rebranded as the CW), One Tree Hill quickly became a fan favorite and maintained a dedicated audience through its nine-season run.

Murray starred alongside James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Bush, and Burton, with the show focusing on the complicated relationship between half-brothers Lucas (Murray) and Nathan Scott (Lafferty) and their close-knit group of friends. Murray and Burton departed after the sixth season, with their characters starting a new chapter together by leaving Tree Hill, North Carolina.

While promoting his holiday movie The Merry Gentlemen in an interview with People, Murray reflected on the show’s enduring fan support.

“Without the fans, there is no One Tree Hill, no matter whether we’re there making it or not,” he said. “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 continued: “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.”

Although fans are unsure if Murray will reprise his role as Lucas Scott, they can look forward to his return as another beloved character in the upcoming Freaky Friday sequel, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. The film, titled Freakier Friday, is set to release on August 8, 2025.

One Tree Hill, which wrapped up in 2012, is currently available for streaming on Hulu and Max.