The Real-Life One Tree Hill Connection You Never Knew About Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray was supposed to be Nathan Scott — until a painful childhood twist changed everything. After his mother left when he was young, he gravitated to Lucas, making One Tree Hill feel raw, personal, and unforgettable.
Chad Michael Murray did not just play Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill — he lived in that guy’s skin. And now, with a sequel series in the works at Netflix, people are understandably wondering if Lucas might stroll back into Tree Hill. Here’s what’s actually going on, plus a look at why Murray connected so intensely to Lucas in the first place.
Why Murray pushed to play Lucas (not Nathan)
When the show was coming together, creator Mark Schwahn originally saw Murray as Nathan, the swaggering bad boy. Murray said no thanks and fought for Lucas instead. The reason hits close to home: Murray’s mother left when he was a kid; Lucas’s father bailed on him. That shared sense of abandonment wasn’t just character work — it was personal.
"I don't like to be alone. It's scary being alone. I'm always worried that I'm going to be abandoned or that people won't care for me."
That line, from an OTH making-of doc and an IMDb-cited clip, tells you everything about why his Lucas felt so grounded. He wasn’t performing sadness — he understood it.
After OTH, he almost walked away from acting
Despite the show’s success, when Murray left in 2009 he seriously thought about quitting Hollywood altogether. He told Interview Magazine (December 11, 2024) that it wasn’t about the fan attention. It was about being launched into fame during the messiest years of early adulthood and not fully grasping the machine he was in.
"It was because when you're 18 to 25, these formidable years where you're really cutting your teeth on life experiences and your brain isn't fully developed, you make mistakes. I mean, gosh, we still screw up when we're grown-ups."
He said he didn’t understand the weight of the industry or the respect you owe to the work and the people around it. So he hit pause, did some soul-searching, and talked to a lot of folks he describes as smarter than him. Then he found his way back with projects like the indie drama To Write Love on Her Arms and eventually settled into a healthier rhythm.
"Fame is taking up zero percent of my time and focus."
That’s where he says he is now — enjoying the job, enjoying meeting people, but not letting the spotlight steer the car.
So, what’s the deal with the new One Tree Hill series?
In August 2024, Deadline reported that Netflix is developing a continuation set 20 years after the original. Think of it as a sequel series: same world, older characters, new problems. This time the focus is on Brooke (Sophia Bush) and Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan) as moms navigating life with teenagers. Familiar faces can pop in, but the point is to hand the mic to a new generation.
Some behind-the-scenes context worth noting: original creator Mark Schwahn is not involved, following the public allegations of assault and harassment made by multiple cast members years after the show ended. The new team is very intentionally different.
- Confirmed to star: Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton Morgan
- Showrunner/writer: Becky Hartman Edwards (Virgin River, Firefly Lane)
- Executive producers: Bush, Burton Morgan, Danneel Ackles, Jensen Ackles (via their Chaos Machine banner)
- Studio/production: Warner Bros. Television
- Where it’s set up: Netflix
- Timeline: About 20 years after the original, centered on Brooke and Peyton as parents to teens
- Status: In development (continuation, not a full reboot)
Will Chad Michael Murray be back as Lucas?
Short answer: don’t count on it right now. Murray told Bustle he hasn’t heard anything and, if it happens, he wants the show to be built for today’s kids — not stuck in nostalgia mode.
"I don't have any updates on anything from that world."
He added that he hopes any return to Tree Hill centers a young ensemble so a new generation can see themselves in the characters. Translation: he’s not shutting the door, but he’s not measuring for Lucas’s hoodie either.
If you want a rewatch while we wait for official updates, One Tree Hill is streaming on Max in the U.S. And yeah, if Lucas did come back for the sequel, fans would lose their minds — understandably.