It has been over twenty years since we first saw Lucas Scott walk onto that bridge in Wilmington with a basketball and a brooding stare. Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago, yet One Tree Hill remains that one show we just can't quit. Whether you grew up watching it on The WB or discovered it years later on a streaming binge, the connection to the residents of Tree Hill is weirdly personal.
But where is everyone now?
As of early 2026, the conversation around the one tree hill cast now has shifted from mere nostalgia to genuine, concrete developments. We’ve seen marriages, divorces, cult survival stories, and finally—the news everyone was waiting for—a sequel series officially in the works at Netflix.
The Brooke and Peyton Renaissance: That Netflix Sequel
Let's cut to the chase. The biggest update for 2026 is that Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton-Morgan aren't just "talking" about a reboot anymore. They are executive producing a sequel series for Netflix. This isn't just a cameo-fest; the project is set to follow Brooke and Peyton as they navigate life in their 40s, now raising teenagers of their own.
It’s kind of poetic.
Danneel Ackles is also back in the mix, both as an executive producer and likely reprising her role as Rachel Scott. However, there is a giant, basketball-shaped hole in the casting news. As of right now, Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and James Lafferty (Nathan) aren't attached to the project.
✨ Don't miss: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
Chad has been pretty vocal about it, basically saying he hasn't been asked yet. James is busy with his own baby, the indie hit Everyone Is Doing Great, which he co-created with Stephen Colletti (yes, Mouth’s old rival Chase). It’s a bit of a bummer for the "Leyton" and "Naley" shippers, but the door isn't slammed shut. In this industry, "not attached" usually just means "waiting for the right contract."
Sophia Bush: More Than Just Brooke Davis
Sophia Bush has had a busy few years, both on and off the screen. After her exit from Chicago P.D. and the short-lived Good Sam, she’s leaned heavily into her role as an advocate and podcast host. Her podcast Work in Progress is a massive success, featuring guests ranging from Kamala Harris to Monica Lewinsky.
Personally, Sophia has been through it. After her divorce from Grant Hughes in 2023, she made headlines for her relationship with soccer star Ashlyn Harris. She’s been incredibly open about her journey toward finding "real joy," often discussing mental health and the power of starting over. Honestly, she’s basically living Brooke Davis's "growth" arc in real life.
Hilarie Burton-Morgan: The Farm Life and The Fire
Peyton Sawyer was always the girl with the records and the heavy heart. These days, Hilarie is living a much more grounded life—literally. She lives on a farm in Rhinebeck, New York, with her husband, The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
They own a candy store (Samuel’s Sweet Shop) with their friend Paul Rudd. Yeah, that Paul Rudd.
🔗 Read more: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
Hilarie has become a fierce voice for transparency in the industry. Her book The Rural Diary and her work on the Drama Queens podcast have pulled back the curtain on the toxic environment of the original One Tree Hill set. She’s reclaimed her narrative, and seeing her take the lead on the Netflix sequel feels like a victory for fans who watched her walk away from the show back in Season 6.
Bethany Joy Lenz: Escaping a Cult and Heading to Hope Valley
Bethany Joy Lenz (our Haley James Scott) dropped a bombshell in 2024 with her memoir Dinner for Vampires. She revealed that while she was filming One Tree Hill, she was actually part of a high-control group—basically a cult.
It’s wild to think about.
While we were watching Haley be the moral compass of the show, Joy was navigating a terrifying real-life situation. In 2026, she’s fully in her "reclamation era." Professionally, she is leading the highly anticipated When Calls the Heart spinoff, Hope Valley: 1874, which premieres on Hallmark+ in March 2026. She’s also still making music, proving that Haley’s talent was always Joy’s talent first.
Tyler Hilton’s Big Life Change
If you've checked the news lately, you might have seen a bittersweet update regarding Chris Keller himself. Tyler Hilton and his wife, Megan Park, officially announced their separation in January 2026 after ten years of marriage.
💡 You might also like: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
They’ve always been one of the more private couples in the OTH orbit, and Tyler was quick to mention that they are focused on co-parenting their two kids, Winnie and Benny. It’s a heavy reminder that while these actors are icons to us, they’re navigating the same messy life stuff we are.
What Happened to the Rest of the Crew?
You can't talk about the one tree hill cast now without checking in on the supporting players who made the show feel like a community.
- Lee Norris (Mouth): Lee mostly stays out of the spotlight these days. He popped up in Girl Meets World a few years back to reprise his role as Minkus, and had a small part in Greyhound, but he’s clearly enjoying a quieter life.
- Antwon Tanner (Skills): Still the life of the party at conventions. He remains close with the cast and frequently appears on Drama Queens.
- Paul Johansson (Dan Scott): Paul is the absolute opposite of the villain he played. He’s been acting steadily in shows like Van Helsing and Mad Men. He’s already said he won't be in the reboot (mostly because Dan is dead), but he’s still the "dad" of the group at fan events.
- Barbara Alyn Woods (Deb Scott): She’s been busy being a proud mom to her three successful daughters, including Emily Alyn Lind from the Gossip Girl reboot. Barbara also had a great run on the Chucky series.
Why the Obsession Continues
Why are we still googling these people in 2026?
Maybe it’s because One Tree Hill was a show about the stuff that actually matters: your friends becoming your family. The cast’s real-life bond, especially the "Drama Queens" trio, has kept the fire burning. They didn't just walk away and forget about us; they stayed friends, they fought for a better work environment, and now they’re bringing the story back on their own terms.
How to Stay Updated on the Netflix Sequel
If you’re looking to keep tabs on the new series, here is what you need to do:
- Follow the Producers: Keep a close eye on Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton-Morgan’s Instagram feeds. They’ve been the primary source of all official announcements.
- Listen to the Backlog: While the Drama Queens podcast technically wrapped its original series run, the archive is a goldmine for understanding the dynamic that will drive the new show.
- Watch the Spinoffs: Support Joy Lenz in Hope Valley: 1874 and James Lafferty in Everyone Is Doing Great. Their success in these projects often dictates how much time they have for a potential return to Tree Hill.
- Official Netflix Alerts: Set a notification for "One Tree Hill Sequel" on your Netflix account. Production is currently in the script phase, so expect casting calls and filming dates to leak through Wilmington local news by mid-year.
The bridge is still there, the jersey number 23 is still iconic, and the Ravens are finally coming home. Whether Nathan and Lucas show up or not, the story of Brooke and Peyton is far from over.
Real-World Action Steps
For fans wanting to dive deeper into the current lives of the cast, your best bet is checking out Bethany Joy Lenz’s memoir for the raw truth about the filming years, or keeping an eye on Hallmark+ for the March 2026 premiere of Joy's new series. If you're holding out for the Netflix sequel, stay tuned for production updates coming out of North Carolina this summer.