Chad Michael Murray’s Surprising Response to One Tree Hill Reboot
Chad Michael Murray has detailed his thoughts on joining a reported One Tree Hill reboot series by Netflix.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in an interview published on Friday, November 15, Murray, 43, acknowledged the TV show’s cult following while commenting on his own potential involvement in a sequel.
Asked by the outlet’s reporter in the filmed interview, “Are we going to see you in the One Tree Hill continuation on Netflix?”, Murray takes his time as he responds.
“No clue,” the actor, who portrayed Lucas Scott from the series’ premiere in September 2003 until the end of the sixth season, told the outlet. Joined in the interview by his costar Britt Robertson in the upcoming holiday film The Merry Gentlemen, Murray was then interrupted in the video.
“Yes,” exclaimed Robertson, 34, which sparks laughter from Murray before the reporter then argues, “We’ve got to see Lucas in there.”
Murray, whose character left the fictional town of Tree Hill in North Carolina with his love interest Peyton Sawyer (played by Hilary Burton Morgan), added that he hoped the reboot “comes together for the fans.”
“I mean, this fandom that has grown, I mean, literally, I was just in Halifax a week ago and, sure enough, I’m running into 11, 12, 13-year-old kids who are in love with Tree Hill,” Murray told the outlet. “They’re seeing it on Hulu and they’re going, ‘Oh my gosh’. It’s stood the test of time and I think to have some new stories, whatever iteration of the show that’s created, I want it for the fans.”
A new version of One Tree Hill was reported on by Variety on August 30, with original stars Sophia Bush, Burton Morgan, 42, and Danneel Ackles serving as executive producers. (The project was said to be under Danneel, 45, and husband Jensen Ackles’ Chaos Machine banner.)
Burton Morgan and Bush, also 42, who played Brooke Davis, are reportedly set to reprise their roles. Bush’s character was involved in an on-again-off-again romance with Murray’s Scott, and was also married to Murray from April 2005 to December 2006.
Danneel, who joined the show as Rachel during season 3, is also in talks to appear on screen. Christmas in Louisiana director and producer Emily Wilson was also reported to be serving as a producer on the project, according to Deadline. (Wilson has worked with several OTH alums for Lifetime holiday movies.)
If Murray were to return to Tree Hill, it would be an alleged change of heart after Deadline also reported on August 30 that it was understood Murray had “no plans to return for the follow-up.”
The show, which premiered on The WB in 2003, followed half-brothers and basketball rivals Nathan, played by James Lafferty, and Scott as they navigated their high school years. After three seasons on The WB, the network became The CW and the show continued for six more seasons.
