‘One Tree Hill’ Reboot: Cast, Plot, and What to Expect

The 2003 hit drama series One Tree Hill has been a major part of pop culture since its debut, and has only grown in popularity since. As new fans rediscover the show, the cast of One Tree Hill keeps the love alive through cast conventions and rewatch podcast Drama Queens.

But now we can finally rejoice, because stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton, who portray Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively, have announced they are bringing the show back.

Both of the show’s stars shared identical posts, writing, “What if you really can go back home? … There’s only one Tree Hill, after all. And you — the #OTHfam — have shown us that it’s not just an idea. It really is the place where ‘everything’s better and everything’s safe.” 

Get the scoop on the ‘One Tree Hill’ reboot plot! 

Both Bush and Burton are set to executive produce the new show, which will be streaming on Netflix, while also reprising their original roles. Danneel Ackles, who played Rachel Gatina, and husband Jensen Ackles will also executive produce the show through their production company, Chaos Machine. Additionally, Ackles is in talks to reprise her character, as is Bevin Prince, who played Bevin Mirskey. 

Chad Michael Murray, (Lucas Scott) has no plans to return to the series, according to Deadline. There is no word on James Lafferty (Nathan Scott) or Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley James Scott). While Austin Nichols (Julian Baker) is not confirmed as a character, he did post a GIF from the show the day the news dropped.

Not much of the plot is known at the moment, but it’s to be set 20 years after the original series ended, and it will be focused on Brooke and Peyton’s lives as moms to teenagers. The now-moms will be “facing challenges not unfamiliar to what they tackled in the original series like love, insecurities and grief.”


best friends smiling
Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush in 'One Tree Hill' (2004)
moviestillsdb.com/Tollin/Robbins Productions

The original One Tree Hill, which focused on brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott and their strained relationship, was created by Mark Schwahn, who has since been accused of sexual harassment by several women from the cast. Both Burton and Bush have shared how difficult the set was with Schwahn around and he will not be involved in the new show.  

Schwahn is not involved in the series and both Burton and Bush have shared how difficult it was with on the show around Schwahn.

Bush, Burton and Lenz brought back the love for the series by starting up the aforementioned Drama Queens rewatch podcast. On it, the stars would often talk about the drama that stirred up behind-the-scenes with the show’s creator and what it might be like to revisit it without him — not a possibility until now.  

What the show’s other stars have said about the news

group of friends posing
Cast of 'One Tree Hill' (2003)
moviestillsdb.com/Tollin/Robbins Productions

While it’s not confirmed which stars will reappear in the reboot, many of them are thrilled about the news. Robert Buckley, who portrays Clay Evans and is currently the third host on the Drama Queens podcast, commented on the post, “I just screamed in an Arby’s. LFG!!!! ??????

Bryan Greenberg, who portrayed Peyton’s early boyfriend, Jake Jagielski, commented, “???? Jeyton? ??,” which became the couple’s ship name. Jana Kramer, who was Alex Dupre, wrote, “Wahoooo. Ready when yall want me ??.” Kramer also shared on her podcast, Whine Down, that she had previously spoken with Burton about reprising her role.

I had spoken to Hilarie about it, about Alex making an appearance… I think their intention is to bring back people that make sense. And Hilarie was like, ‘I never got to meet Alex, so it'd be fun to have us meet,’ and I'm like, ‘I would love that. Sign me up.’ So, we'll see. TBD.”

So, while we don’t know who will return, it seems many of the original characters are ready to go back to Tree Hill.

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