One Tree Hill: A 20-Year Legacy

One Tree Hill on Hulu. Credit: Erin-Leigh Hoffman ‘24

Trigger Warning: mentions of sexual harassment.

The presence of streaming services today has allowed many old television shows to undergo a renaissance as new generations of viewers discover them. One of these shows that has become a fan-favorite is “One Tree Hill.” On Sept. 23, the beloved 2000s teen drama celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Set in the fictional Tree Hill, North Carolina, the show follows two estranged half-brothers living drastically different lives – Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), the spoiled star of the high school basketball team, and Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray), the humble outcast finally gifted a shot to play alongside Nathan. The series explores the boys’ personal lives and road to true brotherhood as they navigate family ties, romance and maturity.

“OTH” is known for pushing boundaries in television, presenting social commentary and serving as an archive for early 2000s music. While the show’s revival in recent years has proven that cherished art can transcend time, its anniversary brings to light relevant issues in television and film.

In the years following the series’ 2012 conclusion, workers on set have come forward describing mistreatment they experienced under the direction of showrunner Mark Schwann. Three of the show’s leading ladies, Hilarie Burton Morgan, Bethany Joy Lenz and Sophia Bush, have shared their feelings on the toxic work environment Schwann created.

Burton Morgan told Variety that Scwhann curated a culture on the “OTH” set that pitted women against each other and was verbally abusive.

“The fear of being forced into another one of these situations was crippling. I never wanted to be the lead female on any show ever, ever, ever again,” said Burton Morgan.

Victims on set have detailed instances of sexual harassment that Schwann subjected them to, with Burton Morgan and 17 other women sending a signed letter to Variety with accusations against Schwann as well.

Despite these unselling accusations, cast members have been vocal about their love for one another and the “OTH” fandom. For example, Burton Morgan, Lenz and Bush have been hosting their own podcast, “Drama Queens,” where they break down episodes of the show and welcome other cast members on as guests. The podcast allows the actresses to raise awareness about unethical treatment in the TV workplace while sharing thoughts about their characters for all “OTH” fans to enjoy.

"It’s allowed us to completely love our show, and not to be cheesy, but it feels like it might be a model for healing for other people as well,” said Bush. “Reclamation feels pretty badass.”

Another way the cast celebrates the show is by directly staying in touch with the fandom. Particularly, Friends With Benefit is an organization that hosts fundraisers and charity events with “OTH” cast members at a variety of the show’s filming locations in Wilmington, North Carolina. 80% of net proceeds from these experiences go directly to charities such as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. FWB has hosted basketball games, book signings, tours of the Tric nightclub set from the series and more.

In light of recent actor and writer strikes, the experiences of this show’s cast and crew serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure that those involved in entertainment are treated fairly and equitably, that their work environments are safe and their time and talents are appreciated. Bush took to Instagram to convey this eloquently. “Not gonna mention the job that’s turning 20 today while our union is on strike. So instead I’ll celebrate 20 years of female friendships being the ultimate love stories and the reclamation of our good, bad, ugly, and beautiful through @dramaqueensoth. Thank you to our #fanfam who have encouraged us to find and use our voices onscreen and off,” shared Bush.

“OTH’s” legacy ultimately shows that goodness triumphs. The characters and their stories have cultivated a fan community that feels seen in special ways. The connection the cast has with its fanbase proves that the positive experiences the series fostered still matter 20 years later and going forward.