One Tree Hill was one of the defining teen dramas of the early 2000s. Although it lasted nine seasons, it ended while it still had millions of viewers.
That explains why there’s been a lot of enthusiasm about a comeback season of the WB-turned-CW drama.
News broke last year that Netflix was developing a sequel series, and now we have another promising update on the matter.
Hilarie Burton, who played Peyton Sawyer in the first six seasons, is working with former co-stars Sophia Bush, Daneel Ackles, and prospective showrunner Becky Hartman Edwards to get the new take off the ground.
In a recent interview with People, the 42-year-old noted that the reboot news leaked “very, very, very early in the game.”
Of course, there’s a process for pitching TV shows, and there wasn’t anything to pitch at that point because the quartet was still brainstorming ways to bring the show back and, more importantly, whether it would be worthwhile.
“So we’re in the process of presenting things to Netflix, and they will get to decide whether or not it’s greenlit,” she added.
The One Tree Hill Reboot Could Be Missing Many Familiar Faces
While Hilarie’s update didn’t include the news that the show had been picked up, things are moving in the right direction.
Hilarie is excited to tell the show from the female perspective and only has positive things to say about Becky, who she believes is “so good at female friendships and multi-generation shows.”
Furthermore, the actress is “confident in what’s being presented” and hopes that Netflix “goes for it.”
Given that One Tree Hill remains popular over a decade after its series finale, there’s a decent chance that Netflix will go full speed ahead on a reboot.
One Tree Hill had a global audience, and a reboot would be devoured by Netflix subscribers globally, so it is a win-win situation unless the streaming platform is concerned about some of the original cast being M.I.A.
At its core, One Tree Hill was an ensemble, so eradicating many of the faces that made it such a success may not go as well as expected.
The project is still in its infancy, but it’s hard to imagine Bethany Joy Lenz and James Lafferty not appearing in some capacity.
Netflix’s Take On One Tree Hill Would Pick Up 20 Years Later
The new show would pick up 20 years after the original and reportedly center on Brooke (Bush) and Peyton as they navigate a very different world now that they’re parents.
It’s not a groundbreaking concept, but it could be a big success story, so time will tell whether it becomes a reality.
If Netflix ultimately passes on the project, there would be other interested homes. Heck, we wouldn’t be surprised if The CW stepped up to the challenge.
In recent years, the network has replaced much of its programming with more cost-effective originals, which are mostly co-productions, like Sullivan’s Crossing.
But overall, the network has been struggling, so a splashy comeback for One Tree Hill could be the perfect way to get eyes on the network again.
What are your thoughts on the One Tree Hill revival inching closer to reality? Do you think it’s a good idea?
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