One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty Reflect on the Show's Legacy
Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, who portrayed half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott on the hit series One Tree Hill, reunited with PEOPLE for the Sexiest Man Alive issue. The show aired from 2003 to 2012 and marked 22 years since they first stepped onto the River Court as basketball-playing siblings.
Onscreen Rivalry and Offscreen Friendship
While their characters often clashed, the actors shared a strong offscreen bond. James Lafferty, 40, recalls,
“The only times I couldn’t stop laughing were when I was shooting scenes with him.”Chad Michael Murray, 44, adds,
“It was only good times. Really, really good times.”
Audition Stories and Basketball Experience
During auditions, Lafferty struggled with one-on-one basketball, saying,
“I immediately got a basketball coach for the summer.”He also mentioned,
“I played basketball in high school and I was not much older than the actual character, so it was right up my alley.”
Reunion and Naley vs. Leyton Debate
The actors reunited to discuss the show's lore and took sides on the popular couples "Naley" (Nathan and Haley) versus "Leyton" (Lucas and Peyton), reflecting on the enduring fandom and relationships.
“We caught up in honor of PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue to dive deep into OTH lore and debate where we stand on the couples,” said the actors.
For more on the Sexiest Man Alive content, including the cover star Jonathan Bailey, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.
Summary: Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty fondly recall their time on One Tree Hill, sharing laughter-filled memories and their perspectives on the show's iconic relationships.