Hilarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray Excluded from 'OTH' Season 7

Hilarie Burton Morgan Says She and Chad Michael Murray Werent Asked Back for OTHS eason 7

Hilarie Burton Morgan and Chad Michael Murray Getty Images (2)

Hilarie Burton Morgan shared on her "Drama Queens" podcast how she and Chad Michael Murray learned they wouldn't be returning for season 7 of One Tree Hill. Fans were shocked by her honest revelation. During the episode on May 19, Burton Morgan, along with former costars Sophia Bush and Bethany Joy Lenz, recounted how they were allegedly not invited back for the show's renewal.

While filming a flashback scene in a diner as their characters Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott for season 6, episode 21, Burton Morgan shared an exciting moment. Their producer, Greg Prange, suddenly announced that the show had been picked up for a seventh season.

Reflecting on the moment, Burton recalled how Chad asked if she had received an offer yet, to which she replied no. They both realized they hadn't received an offer yet, but the atmosphere around them was filled with joy and excitement. Everyone was hugging and high-fiving, creating a celebratory vibe as if balloons were dropping from the ceiling. Despite not receiving an offer at that moment, they both knew it was just a matter of time.

She added, “And he and I were the highest paid actors on the show, and we knew we were on the chopping block.”

Hilarie Burton Morgan Says She and Chad Michael Murray Werent Asked Back for OTHS eason 7

One Tree Hill Cast Theo Wargo/WireImage

Later in the episode, Burton Morgan went on to tell Bush, 41, and Lenz, 43, that the decision to not have her return to the show was a blessing in disguise.

She expressed, "This closure is exactly what I needed. I always believed that walking away from that situation was the right decision because it was terrible. The betrayal actually led me to a wonderful life - I met my husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan, started a family, and had the opportunity to work on White Collar with Willie Garson. My life has significantly improved because of that betrayal. I hope anyone listening can take away the same message - sometimes betrayal can lead to something amazing."

Fans were quick to react to Burton Morgan's perspective, as many initially thought that she and Murray made the decision to leave the show on their own terms.

One fan expressed disappointment that Peyton wasn't brought back along with Lucas in the final season, saying they always thought it was her decision to leave. They were upset that Chad and Hilarie were not brought back, feeling that the show changed after their departure.

The series, which was created by Mark Schwahn, aired for nine seasons from 2003 to 2012. It focused on the lives of two half-brothers, Lucas Scott (played by Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (played by James Lafferty), as they navigated their relationship in their hometown, both at high school and on the basketball team.

When the show first premiered, the main cast also included Paul Johansson, Craig Sheffer, Moira Kelly, Antwon Tanner, Lee Norris, and Barbara Alyn Woods.

After a five-year time jump between season 4 and season 5, fans got to see the former high school students adjusting to adulthood in their hometown of Tree Hill, North Carolina.

In 2018, during an interview on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast, Bush shared how the producers used real-life personal experiences to shape the storylines.

When running a show, you're like a parent and need to protect your team. Unfortunately, there was misconduct and drama behind the scenes, which was not okay. The women of OTH, including Bush, have been vocal about the harassment allegations against Schwahn. In 2017, they penned a letter detailing his misconduct, and they continue to speak out about it.

Burton Morgan expressed in a recent episode of “Drama Queens” that without a change in our industry, speaking out is crucial. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other, stating that their unity was key to overcoming challenges.

Viewers can catch new episodes of “Drama Queens” every Sunday.

Editor's P/S:

Hilarie Burton Morgan's revelation on her podcast has shed light on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the departure of herself and Chad Michael Murray from "One Tree Hill." The news that they were allegedly not invited back for season 7 came as a shock to fans, who had always assumed they had left on their own terms. Burton Morgan's honesty in sharing her experience highlights the importance of speaking out against misconduct and abuse of power in the entertainment industry.

The fact that Burton Morgan and Murray, as the highest-paid actors on the show, were "on the chopping block" raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the decision-making process. Burton Morgan's perspective that the betrayal she experienced ultimately led to a more fulfilling life is inspiring, but it also underscores the need for a culture shift in the industry where artists are treated with respect and dignity. The ongoing harassment allegations against the show's creator, Mark Schwahn, further emphasize the importance of protecting actors and crew members from harmful behavior. The "Drama Queens" podcast provides a platform for the women of "One Tree Hill" to share their experiences and raise awareness about industry issues, contributing to a much-needed conversation about power dynamics and accountability in Hollywood.