The Rivercourt Is Open: 5 Shocking New Updates On The One Tree Hill Sequel And What The Cast Is Doing In 2025

The world of Tree Hill, North Carolina, is officially making a comeback. After years of fan speculation, a sequel to the beloved teen drama *One Tree Hill* (OTH) is officially in development, with an announcement confirmed in August 2024 and momentum building into 2025. This new chapter promises to revisit the lives of the characters we grew up with, bringing the drama, romance, and basketball back to The Rivercourt for a new generation. The most exciting news is the heavy involvement of the original female leads, Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Danneel Ackles, who are slated to executive produce the series. This ensures the sequel will be handled with the care and authenticity the passionate fanbase deserves, moving the story forward while honoring the nine seasons that aired on The WB and The CW from 2003 to 2012.

The Core Five: Full Cast Biographies and Their Shocking New Projects (2025 Update)

The original cast members, often referred to as the "Core Five," have remained incredibly busy since the series finale in 2012. Their current projects—ranging from major Hollywood films to groundbreaking memoirs—demonstrate the topical authority they still hold in the entertainment world, making their potential return to the OTH universe even more significant.

Chad Michael Murray (Lucas Scott)

• Born: August 24, 1981, Buffalo, New York.
• Role on OTH: Lucas Scott, the sensitive, writer half-brother of Nathan Scott, who was part of the iconic "love triangle" with Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer.
• Current Projects (2025): Murray is starring as Cal Jones in the romantic drama series *Sullivan’s Crossing* (2023–present), which has found a massive audience on Netflix. His upcoming film slate includes the highly anticipated comedy *Freakier Friday*, slated for an August 8, 2025, release, where he stars alongside Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Sophia Bush (Brooke Davis)

• Born: July 8, 1982, Pasadena, California.
• Role on OTH: Brooke Davis, the fiery, fashion-forward cheerleader who evolved into a successful clothing designer and a fan-favorite character.
• Current Projects (2025): Bush continues to co-host the highly successful *Drama Queens* rewatch podcast. She also hosts her own acclaimed podcast, "Work in Progress." In late 2025, she is set to star in the Roku Originals road trip comedy series *Broad Trip*, alongside Lauren Holly, showcasing her move into producing and starring in new, exciting content.

Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley James Scott)

• Born: April 2, 1981, Hollywood, Florida.
• Role on OTH: Haley James Scott, the intelligent, musically gifted best friend of Lucas Scott and eventual wife of Nathan Scott.
• Current Projects (2025): Lenz is co-host of the *Drama Queens* podcast. Her most significant and highly anticipated project is the release of her memoir in February 2025, titled *Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)*. The book will detail her decade-long secret life in a cult while she was starring on *One Tree Hill*, a revelation that has shocked and intrigued fans globally.

Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer)

• Born: July 1, 1982, Sterling, Virginia.
• Role on OTH: Peyton Sawyer, the brooding, artistic, and fiercely independent love interest of Lucas Scott.
• Current Projects (2025): Burton is a co-host and driving force behind the *Drama Queens* podcast. She is also a successful author, farmer, and distiller, having released the memoir *The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Unforgettable Seasons on a New Hampshire Farm*. She and her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, are active in their community, focusing on their farm and small-batch liquor business.

James Lafferty (Nathan Scott)

• Born: July 25, 1985, Hemet, California.
• Role on OTH: Nathan Scott, the arrogant-turned-loving basketball star who married Haley James and became a dedicated father to Jamie Scott.
• Current Projects (2025): Lafferty has transitioned successfully into directing, writing, and producing since the show ended. A less-known but important role is his position as the executive director of the National Lawyers Guild of Los Angeles, showcasing his commitment to human-rights and social justice advocacy alongside his creative work.

The One Tree Hill Sequel: Everything We Know About the New Series

The news of an official *One Tree Hill* sequel, gaining significant momentum in 2024 and 2025, has been the most anticipated update for the fanbase in over a decade. While few concrete details have been released, the confirmed involvement of key players gives a strong indication of the project's direction and tone. The sequel is currently in development at Netflix, which has been the streaming home for the original series, allowing it to reach new audiences and maintain its cultural relevance. The new series is expected to be a continuation, or a "soft reboot," that follows the lives of the original characters as adults, potentially focusing on the next generation of Tree Hill residents, such as Nathan and Haley’s son, Jamie Scott, or the children of Brooke Davis and Julian Baker.

A New Era: The Creative Team and Mark Schwahn’s Exclusion

A critical detail that has been universally praised by the cast and fans is the exclusion of original series creator Mark Schwahn. Schwahn's career came to an abrupt end in 2018 following numerous allegations of sexual harassment and abuse from the female cast and crew. The sequel is being spearheaded by the original stars, specifically Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Danneel Ackles, who are set to executive produce. This shift in creative control ensures that the new series will be a safer, more positive working environment, and will directly address the desire of the cast to reclaim the narrative of the show they loved.

The Cast’s Potential Return to Tree Hill

While no official contracts have been announced, the strong public support and producing roles of Bush, Burton, and Ackles (who played Rachel Gatina) make their on-screen return highly likely. * Chad Michael Murray has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for a return to the role of Lucas Scott, stating he would be "open" to coming back to the world of Tree Hill. * Austin Nichols, who played Julian Baker, Brooke's husband, has also confirmed the reboot is in the works and that original stars and producers are involved. * James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz are deeply connected to the OTH legacy through the *Drama Queens* podcast and numerous fan events, making their return as Nathan and Haley James Scott a strong possibility, though their involvement has not been officially confirmed for the sequel itself.

The Drama Queens Phenomenon: Reclaiming the Narrative

The *Drama Queens* podcast, launched in 2021 and continuing to release new episodes through 2025, has become a cornerstone of the *One Tree Hill* legacy. Hosted by Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Bethany Joy Lenz, the rewatch podcast is more than just a nostalgic look back; it is a powerful act of reclaiming their experience on the show. The podcast allows the actresses to dissect the show episode by episode, sharing behind-the-scenes secrets, favorite memories, and, crucially, addressing the toxic work environment and the alleged misconduct of the former showrunner. By doing so, they have empowered the fanbase and demonstrated the strong bond between the "Scott sisters and best friend."

The Unbreakable Cast Bonds and Fan Reunions

The enduring popularity of *One Tree Hill* is fueled by the cast's continuous real-life reunions. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, multiple cast members, including Robert Buckley (Clay Evans), Lee Norris (Mouth McFadden), Antwon Tanner (Skills Taylor), and Tyler Hilton (Chris Keller), have reunited at fan conventions in locations like Wilmington, North Carolina (where the show filmed), and Paris. These events, often featuring the *Drama Queens* trio, keep the spirit of Tree Hill alive and confirm that the friendships forged on the set are still strong, which is a major factor driving the excitement for the upcoming sequel. The cast's desire to collaborate on the sequel is a direct result of the positive energy generated by the podcast and these ongoing reunions. The new series is expected to capture this authentic, adult chemistry, moving beyond the high school drama of the original to explore the complexities of life in their 40s.