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 popular series One Tree Hill, spoke with PEOPLE for the Sexiest Man Alive issue. The show aired from 2003 to 2012, marking 22 years since the actors first appeared on the River Court as basketball-playing siblings.
Despite their characters often clashing on-screen, the actors share a strong bond off-screen. Lafferty, 40, recalls,
“The only times I couldn’t stop laughing were when I was shooting scenes with him.”Murray, 44, adds,
“It was only good times. Really, really good times.”
Reunion and Reflections on One Tree Hill
They reunited to celebrate PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive edition and discuss the show's lore. The conversation included fan-favorite debates like the “Naley vs. Leyton” love triangle, a central theme among One Tree Hill fans.
James Lafferty's Basketball Journey
Discussing his auditions for the role, Lafferty shares,
“During auditions I had to play one-on-one and failed miserably. I immediately got a basketball coach for the summer.”He adds, “I played basketball in high school, and I was not much older than the actual character, so it was right up my alley.”
Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty: Off-Screen Friendship
- Portrayed half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott on One Tree Hill
- Show aired from 2003 to 2012
- On-screen characters were often at odds, but actors maintain a close friendship
- Reunited for PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue in 2025
Author’s summary: Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty cherish their close friendship formed on One Tree Hill, celebrating over two decades since their iconic roles as brothers while discussing beloved show moments and fan debates.