There was a time when One Tree Hill (OTH) was among some of the most successful teen dramas on television. Set around the fictional town of Tree Hill, the show centers on a group of high school students, which include half-brothers who get into an intense rivalry in the beginning.
Created by Mark Schwahn, the show stayed on the air for nine seasons before ending its run. Since then, the cast, which mainly includes Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Bethany Joy Lenz, have gone on to star in other tv shows and movies. Some of which, include:
A Christmas Wish
This holiday movie stars OTH alum Burton (Peyton) who left fans in shock when it was announced that she was leaving the show. For the actor, starring in A Christmas Wish was more than a gig. It was also a chance to reunite with some of her former castmates, particularly Tyler Hilton, Barbara Alyn Woods, Lee Norris, Colin Fickes, and Antwon Tanner.
While speaking with Hollywood Life, Burton remarked that getting her former castmates back together again was “really empowering,” especially since “some stuff went down on One Tree Hill that wasn’t cool.”
Pearson
The Suits spinoff sees actress Gina Torres reprise her role as Jessica Pearson. Only this time, Jessica doesn’t get to practice law. After being disbarred following the events in Suits, Jessica becomes a fixer for the Chicago mayor. While on the job, she deals with a city attorney, played by Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley), who also happens to be having an affair with the mayor.
For the most part, Lenz was thrilled to play the role since it was a nicely “layered character”. That said, the actress also told Entertainment Weekly, “The most challenging part of the role has been the legal stuff.”
Riverdale
In just five seasons, Riverdale went to be recognized as one of the best teen dramas around today. What makes it different from others is that the series is a rather grim teen drama, based on characters from the famous Archie Comics.
At some point, the cast also featured Chad Michael Murray (Lucas), who portrayed cult leader Edgar Evernever. And while his character was already killed off, Murray told Schön! that he’d be willing to reprise his role should the opportunity arise.
Incredibles 2
Pixar’s Incredibles franchise presents the idea of family of superheroes trying their best to lead discreet lives amongst normal human beings like ourselves. In this 2018 follow-up, we also meet a super named Voyd who is voiced by OTH alum Sophia Bush (Brooke). While speaking with USA Today, the actress also explained, “You really see the scope of her powers here.” Today, Incredibles 2 is recognized as Pixar’s best-ever sequel movie. Bush also believes that the movie is one of her best works so far.
Van Helsing
Upon watching this tv series, viewers may be quick to point out how the show is different from the movie despite having similar titles. For starters, the show’s cast includes OTH alum Paul Johansson (Dan), who plays the vampire Dmitri.
In approaching his character, Johansson made the conscious effort to slow things down. “I notably made my speech pattern slower and my processing slower so I would have that sense of power because people who have the ability don’t have to hurry,” the actor explained while speaking with ComiConverse. “They can take their bl**dy time.”
Supernatural
Supernatural is a teen drama that immediately gained a massive following, thanks to its haunting plot that revolves around two brothers chasing after evil. These brothers were played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. Later on, they were also joined by Ackles’ wife and OTH alum, Danneel Harris (Rachel).
While speaking about working with her husband, she told Variety, “Jensen’s so supportive and he’s so sweet, and then we get to set and he’s like the big prankster.” The show ended its run in 2020 and some Supernatural fans strongly believe that the series should be followed up with a feature film.
The Sleepover
This Netflix family comedy centers on young children whose mom (played by Malin Akerman) seems to lead the most boring life that anyone can ever imagine. Unbeknownst to them and their father, however, their mom is really a former thief who made the decision to enter the witness protection program.
Playing the mother’s former love interest (and partner in crime) is OTH alum Joe Manganiello (Owen), who turns out to be the movie’s main villain in the end. Interestingly, Akerman and Manganiello also worked together in the 2018 movie, Rampage.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
This NBC show centers on a computer coder named Zoey Clarke and her sudden ability to hear the innermost desires of people around her through a series of popular songs. The series’ lead character is portrayed by Jane Levy.
One of the other main characters on the show is Zoey’s co-worker Simon (played by John Clarence Stewart) whose fiancé, Jessica, is portrayed by OTH alum India de Beaufort (Miranda). However, De Beaufort eventually left the show after her character and Simon broke up. Before she left though, De Beaufort performed a memorable rendition of Happier.
Chicago Med
One of the most compelling medical dramas on television today is undoubtedly Dick Wolf’s Chicago Med, where former OTH star Torrey DeVitto (Nanny Carrie) plays Dr. Natalie Manning. If you ask her, she believes that her experience as a hospice ambassador most definitely helped her land a role on the show.
While speaking with Crookes magazine, the actress explained, “When I first auditioned for Med and felt the compassion that was in the role of ‘Dr. Manning’, I knew that my Hospice work would carry me through the audition and help me find who this character was.”
The Right Stuff
The Right Stuff is a new historical drama on Disney+ about fighter pilots who are recruited to become the first Mercury astronauts. Previously, there was also a movie of the same title that surrounded the Mercury 7 astronauts and their space program.
One of the actors playing the astronauts in this series is OTH star James Lafferty (Nathan), who portrays Scott Carpenter - a role that he swears he was “born to play.” While speaking with TV Line, the actor also remarked that it is “a role that I feel really comfortable playing, really grateful to play.”