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

One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty Reflect on the Show’s Legacy

Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, best known for playing half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott on the popular series One Tree Hill, recently spoke with PEOPLE for the Sexiest Man Alive issue. The actors chatted about their time on the show, which aired from 2003 to 2012, and shared insights into their offscreen friendship.

Onscreen Rivalry, Offscreen Friendship

While their characters were often in conflict on One Tree Hill, Murray and Lafferty developed a close bond behind the scenes. Lafferty, now 40, recalled,

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

Reunion for PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Issue

The two actors reunited to dive deep into the show's lore and discuss fan-favorite storylines, including the popular relationship debates fans still have today.

Basketball Preparation

Lafferty shared his journey preparing for the role, saying,

“During auditions I had to play one-on-one and failed miserably. I immediately got a basketball coach for the summer.”
He continued,
“I played basketball in high school and I was not much older than the actual character, so it was right up my alley.”

For more on PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue, featuring cover star Jonathan Bailey, the latest edition is available on newsstands.

Summary: Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty fondly recall their time on One Tree Hill, highlighting their strong offscreen friendship and dedication to their roles as basketball-playing brothers.

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People.com People.com — 2025-11-07