One Tree Hill Returns: Bush & Burton Lead Netflix Sequel
The much-anticipated "One Tree Hill" sequel is taking shape at Netflix, with original stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton set to reprise their roles as Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively. The pair will also serve as executive producers on the project, which is currently in development at the streaming giant.
Writer and executive producer Becky Hartman Edwards is spearheading the sequel, with Warner Bros. Television â the studio behind the original series â on board. Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles are also attached as executive producers through their Chaos Machine banner, with Danneel Ackles in discussions to return as Rachel Scott. Emily Moss Wilson is credited as a producer.
The sequel, set 20 years after the original series, will follow Brooke and Peyton as they navigate the challenges of parenthood and family life. As parents to teenagers, they'll face familiar themes of love, insecurities, and grief, echoing the emotional rollercoaster of their youth.
"One Tree Hill" originally aired for nine seasons on The WB and its successor, The CW, from 2003 to 2012. The series, created by Mark Schwahn, garnered a dedicated fanbase for its exploration of adolescence, friendship, and romance set against the backdrop of a fictional North Carolina town.
While the original cast, including Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Austin Nichols, Antwon Tanner, and Paul Johansson, have been informally approached about potential involvement, Bush and Burton are the only confirmed cast members at this stage. Murray, who played Lucas Scott for six seasons, has indicated he will not be returning for the sequel.
This project marks Netflix's second attempt at reviving a WB/CW series, following the success of "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life".
Notably, "One Tree Hill" creator Mark Schwahn is not involved in the sequel. In 2017, several female cast and crew members, including Bush and Burton, accused him of sexual harassment. The new project is seen as a reclamation of the show by the women who were impacted by these allegations.
The storyline will feature the return of Brooke's twins, Davis and Jude, now teenagers, as well as other familiar faces from the original series. The sequel will pick up with Brooke and Peyton as established figures in their community, facing new challenges as mothers and navigating the complexities of family relationships.
Burton and Bush remain active in the "One Tree Hill" fandom, hosting the popular rewatch podcast "Drama Queens" with co-star Bethany Joy Lenz. The podcast, now in its seventh season, welcomes guest stars and continues to generate excitement around the series.
While the sequel is still in development, the news of its potential has generated significant buzz amongst fans of the original series. With Bush and Burton at the helm, the project promises to deliver a fresh take on the world of "One Tree Hill" while honouring the spirit of the original.
