Streaming service Netflix is working on a new television series that serves as a sequel to the popular teen drama “One Tree Hill.” The planned show will bring back beloved characters Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer nearly two decades after the original series concluded its run in 2012.
Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton will reprise their roles as Brooke and Peyton respectively and executive produce the project. The sequel is set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina in the present day. According to sources, it will follow Brooke and Peyton as parents and focus on the challenges faced by their teenage children as they come of age.
Danneel Ackles, who played Rachel Scott in the original series, may return and join Bush and Burton as an executive producer. She will work alongside her brother Jensen Ackles under their production company Chaos Machine. Becky Hartman Edwards, known for shows like “Firefly Lane” and “The Bold Type,” is slated to spearhead the sequel series.
While many original cast members seem interested, Chad Michael Murray will reportedly not reprise his role as Lucas Scott due to other commitments. Storylines will need to account for the character’s absence.
The project builds on the popularity of the actresses’ “Drama Queens” podcast, which has renewed interest in “One Tree Hill.” In a joint social media statement, Bush and Burton said the sequel is a chance to “reclaim our turf” and “own our history,” likely referring to harassment allegations that led to original creator Mark Schwahn’s dismissal.
Fans eagerly await casting announcements and hope James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz return as their beloved characters Nathan and Haley Scott. Though still early in development, the sequel promises longtime fans a return visit to Tree Hill.
