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 and Its Lore

Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, known for their roles as half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott on the hit series One Tree Hill, spoke with PEOPLE magazine for the Sexiest Man Alive issue. The show aired from 2003 to 2012, marking 22 years since the two actors first appeared together on the River Court as basketball-playing siblings.

Onscreen, their characters often clashed, but offscreen, the two actors share a strong bond full of laughter. Lafferty, now 40, recalls,

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

The reunion for PEOPLE offered them a chance to revisit One Tree Hill's lore and discuss their perspectives on the iconic "Naley vs. Leyton" debate among fans.

On Basketball and Preparing for Their Roles

During auditions, James Lafferty admits he struggled initially, recounting,

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

He continued playing basketball through high school and was close in age to his character, which helped him embody the role naturally.

Legacy of Their Characters

Their portrayal of Lucas and Nathan Scott remains iconic for fans of One Tree Hill, embodying complex brotherhood and rivalry, both on and off the court.

For more content on PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, including cover star Jonathan Bailey, check the latest issue available on newsstands.

Author’s summary: Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty share fond memories of their time on One Tree Hill, highlighting their real-life friendship and experiences preparing for their basketball roles.

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People.com People.com — 2025-11-06

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