Chad Michael Murray may not be returning to One Tree Hill.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, published Wednesday, the Merry Gentlemen star was asked about reports of the upcoming reboot of the hit teen show he starred on for seven seasons.
When Murray heard the news, he said he spoke with his former co-star James Lafferty, who played his onscreen half-brother, Nathan Scott, on the show.
“We’re not doing it because no one’s ever picked up the phone and said, ‘Hey, we’re doing this,’ so we’re not doing it,” he said.
However, he was happy about the prospect of the series returning: “I want it for the fans.”
In another interview with E! News, Murray also said of the show, “This experience that I’ve gotten like the privilege of being able to experience over the course of the last 24 years is incredible. And so for each and every person that grew up on this show and it affected them and it changed their heart just a little bit and their mind and just set the tone for their youth, I hope it happens.”
In August, it was reported that Netflix is in early development on a sequel series to the former CW series. Stars Hilarie Burton Morgan and Sophia Bush are set to reprise their roles from that series and will also serve as executive producers alongside their former co-star Danneel Ackles. Warner Bros. Television, which produced One Tree Hill, is also behind the potential sequel. Becky Hartman Edwards (Firefly Lane) is writing the follow-up.
One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn, who served as executive producer and showrunner on the original series, is not involved with the sequel series. Castmembers on the series have accused Schwahn of creating a toxic set and sexual harassment.
Amid the news, Morgan took to social media to peg the question, “What if you really can go back home?”
“If there’s an opportunity to team with brilliant creatives and build a space where all our friends can show off their talents? Own our history? Reclaim our turf? Honor our fans? Sign us up. 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.'”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bethany Joy Lenz, who played Haley James Scott on the series for nine seasons, said of the sequel series, “It’s just too early on to be able to tell. There are so many factors that go into getting a show made and who participates in it that even if I had something to say, there would be nothing that would be all encompassing enough to fully explain how this process works. There are way too many variables involved. So, all I can say is that I love Tree Hill. It will always be my home, and my door is open and my ears are open.”
Set in a fictional North Carolina town, One Tree Hill followed two half-brothers, Lucas (Murray) and Nathan (Lafferty), who are forced to navigate high school and social circles despite having a strained relationship. The show also followed best friends Peyton (Morgan) and Brooke (Bush), as well as Lucas’ best friend and Nathan’s eventual love interest Haley James (Lenz).
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