Netflix’s ‘One Tree Hill’ sequel series sparks negative fan frenzy: ‘Leave it alone!’
The “One Tree Hill” sequel series isn’t getting the fan response that Netflix wanted.
The teen drama set in the early 2000s is getting a reboot at the streaming giant that will feature two of the original main cast members, sources told Variety on Friday. A sequel series is already in the works, with Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton and Danneel Ackles producing the project, insiders said.
Bush and Burton, both 42, are reportedly reprising their roles of Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively.
Despite the star power, fans don’t seem interested.
“Let us live 😭 stop making remakes 😭,” one person pleaded after the reboot made headlines. “Every sequel is a mistake! (And made by Netflix?????? ☠️☠️☠️,” another wrote. “No, no, no! Leave it alone! Totally over @netflix #OneTreeHill #Netflix,” a third pleaded.
The original cast included James Lafferty as Nathan Scott, Chad Michael Murray as Lucas Scott, Bethany Joy Lenz as Haley James Scott, and Paul Johansson as Dan Scott.
Several former viewers said a sequel series is only worthwhile if it involves the entire core group. Others brought up feuds among the cast and alleged behind-the-scenes tension with “One Tree Hill” creator Mark Schwahn, which Bush, Burton and Lenz exposed on the “Drama Queens” podcast. It’s worth noting that Burton is no longer a part of the podcast.
“I just realized we’ll never see the main cast of One Tree Hill together on screen because Sophia and Chad can’t even be in the same room today [and] Joey and Hilary are off speaking terms. I also doubt James would ever perform without Joey… so sad,” one upset fan shared.
Another wrote, “Not that I don’t like One Tree Hill, but it’s crazy to be filming a reboot when half of the cast doesn’t even mess with each other anymore.”
Bush and Murray married in April 2005 during the second season of “One Tree Hill.” They separated five months later, and the breakup was nasty. Bush requested an annulment of their short-lived marriage after accusing her ex-husband of cheating, but her request was denied.
Their bitter divorce was finalized in December 2006.
In July, Bush and Lenz revealed that Burton was taking a step back from their iHeartRadio podcast and was being replaced by “new queen” Robert Buckley, who joined the cast of “One Tree Hill” in Season 7 as sports agent Clay Evans.
Although fans didn’t believe the women were telling the truth about Burton’s exit, they pointed to several clues that proved there was tension between the three.
Many noticed that Burton and Lenz were not following each other on Instagram, but were following Bush. Deuxmoi also shared a tip claiming that Lenz’s political views, specifically her opinions on LGBTQ+ rights, caused a rift between them — especially after Bush began dating women’s soccer star Ashlyn Harris.
None of the women have commented on the feud speculation; however, they did have plenty to say about Schwahn, including a horrifying story in which he allegedly threatened two of them into posing for Maxim against their will.
For the reboot, Ackles, 45, who played Rachel Gatina on the original WB/CW television drama, will serve as executive producer alongside her husband, “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles, 46, under their Chaos Machine banner, according to Variety. “Firefly Lane” creator Becky Hartman Edwards is attached to write and executive produce.
It’s unclear if the other original cast members will be involved in the reboot.
The Post has contacted Netflix for comment.