One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty Go Deep on the Show's Lore and Take Sides on Naley vs. Leyton

Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty Reflect on Their Time in One Tree Hill

Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, known for playing half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott on the popular series One Tree Hill, spoke with PEOPLE for the Sexiest Man Alive issue. The show aired from 2003 to 2012 and marked 22 years since they first appeared as basketball-playing brothers on the River Court.

While their characters often clashed on screen, offscreen their relationship has always been friendly and full of humor.

“The only times I couldn’t stop laughing were when I was shooting scenes with him,” says Lafferty, 40.
“It was only good times,” adds Murray, 44. “Really, really good times.”

Reunion and Reflections

In celebration of PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue, the actors reunited to explore the deep lore of One Tree Hill. They discussed their experiences and also took sides in significant fan debates such as "Naley vs. Leyton."

For more content, including the cover story featuring Jonathan Bailey, readers can find the latest issue of PEOPLE on newsstands starting Friday.

Basketball and Acting

James Lafferty shared a bit about his preparation for the role:

“During auditions I had to play one-on-one and failed miserably. I immediately got a basketball coach for the summer.”

Lafferty, who played basketball in high school and was close in age to his character, found the role fitting and enjoyable.

Summary

Murray and Lafferty's enduring friendship and shared passion for basketball enriched their performances on One Tree Hill, making their reunion a heartfelt dive into the show's legacy.

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People.com People.com — 2025-11-06

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