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Here's how One Tree Hill could (and should) return for a new show, according to star Chad Michael Murray

One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray has an idea on how to keep the show's legacy alive for fans and new audiences

News by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Additional contributions by Veronica Valencia

Published on Fri May 17 2024

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In its nine seasons, One Tree Hill managed to tackle a lot of hot button issues, but the show’s Chad Michael Murray — who played Lucas, one of the two half-brothers at the heart of the show — feels as if it could have gone much harder. And, in fact, he’s got a pitch about how that could still happen, if any TV executives are listening.

Talking during The Boys of One Tree Hill panel at C2E2 2024, Murray — who appeared onstage beside co-star James Lafferty and moderator, Popverse’s own Veronica Valencia — was asked about the show’s treatment of mental health, and how he felt the series (which ran from 2003 though 2012 on the WB and, later, the CW) handled the topic.

“Well, it’s interesting because, if we’re talking about then, things have changed so very much, right? And that’s why I truly do believe — and I’ll say this out loud, and I don’t know if this would ever come to fruition, the window might be closing, but — that’s why we need, more than ever, a One Tree Hill: Generations.”

Wait, we need a what? Well, let Murray explain:

“It should be called One Tree Hill: Generations, or OTH: Generations, and it’s a new generation dealing with today’s issues — everything from how to handle social media to public humiliation. The value of booze, toxicity, culture shock, loving everyone, discrimination… Everything that’s out there, we can hit far more now than we were [able to] then,” he explained. “Those topics weren’t ‘right here’ then as they are now. So, I feel like it would give kids a great roadmap on how to, maybe, live a little bit more righteous, you know? That’s my opinion.”

Again: the original series was massively successful and ran for nine seasons, with a fanbase that’s still very devoted to the characters. The idea of reviving it with a new generational twist isn’t the worst thing that a network could be doing with its time, it has to be said… Somehow, I don’t think Murray’s desire to see One Tree Hill: Generations become a reality is going to remain just his opinion for that long…

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About C2E2

Chicago's signature pop culture weekend returns with US's best artist alley, a roster of must-see TV and movie stars, and more.

Dates

Apr 26 - Apr 28

Location

McCormick Place, Chicago
United States

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.