One Tree Hill (season 9) - Wikipedia

We felt it would be really good for the viewers to have. It’s a good show. The viewers loved it. So we thought we’d keep it going. The fans are very fervent about it, so we felt it was a great treat for them.

Over the years the One Tree Hill cast and crew has become a small unit. It's really a small family and they have asked for a few years if I wanted to come back. [Last year I said], 'If they have one more season I will definitely do it,' and sure enough they were asked back, against all odds, so I had to comply.

One Tree Hill: Season 9
Promotional poster for season 9 Country of origin United States No. of episodes 13 Broadcast Original channel The CW Original run January 11, 2012 (2012-01-11) Season chronology ← Previous
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The ninth and final season of One Tree Hill, an American television series created by Mark Schwahn for The WB Television Network. The series was officially renewed by The CW for a ninth season on May 17, 2011. Two days later it was announced that season nine will be the final season. It will premiere on Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 8:00 pm and air its 13 episodes uninterrupted. It is unlikely the season will receive a back-order of episodes as The CW and show runners have agreed that 13 episodes is the best number to finish on.

Paul Johansson and Tyler Hilton will both make returns for the final season as series regulars. Bethany Joy Galeotti and Sophia Bush will continue as full-time regulars, while James Lafferty will appear part-time. Chad Michael Murray will return in episode seven, after Haley reaches out to Lucas for help. Barbara Alyn Woods will also return. The series finale will feature another time-jump and see the characters lives five years in the future.

1 Starring 2 Episodes 3 Production 3.1 Cast 3.2 Storylines 4 Home release 5 References [edit] Starring Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis Bethany Joy Galeotti as Haley James Scott James Lafferty as Nathan Scott Austin Nichols as Julian Baker Robert Buckley as Clay Evans Shantel VanSanten as Quinn James Jackson Brundage as Jamie Scott Lisa Goldstein as Millicent Huxtable Tyler Hilton as Chris Keller Paul Johansson as Dan Scott [edit] Episodes № # Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions) 175 1 January 11, 2012 (2012-01-11)[1] [edit] Production

The CW officially renewed One Tree Hill for a ninth season on May 17, 2011.[3] On May 19, 2011,Flashpoint Seasons 1-3 DVD Boxset, Dawn Ostroff confirmed that the 13 episodes for season nine will be the last for the series.[4] In the official announcement of The CW's schedule, they confirmed the series stars and the executive producers for the final season. Mark Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins will all continue in their roles on the show.[5] Deadline reported that the final season will begin mid-season and air its 13 episodes uninterrupted, leading into the series finale.[6]

Production for the season began on July 26, 2011 at the Screen Gems Studios,The Cosby Show Season 1-8 DVD Box Set, Wilmington, North Carolina. While further scenes are shot in downtown Wilmington, including Wallace Park and Pure Gold Gentlemen's Club.[7] The Corning manufacturing site on North College Road is also being used as the location for some scenes based in Tree Hill's hospital, police station and TV studio.[8] A two-day shoot for some scenes in the season was also held at Kinston Regional Jetport.[9] Paul Johansson will direct at least one episode in the season.[10] At the Television Critics Association summer press tour, president of entertainment at The CW, Mark Pedowitz said "At this point it's the final 13," about the possibility of extending the season. He added, "You never want to say never," revealing that he did speak to executive producer Mark Schwahn and that they agreed that 13 episodes is the best number to close the series with.[11] One Tree Hill will film its final scenes in November, 2011.[12]

The season will air Wednesdays at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central as a lead-in to new reality series, "Remodeled." It will premiere on January 11, 2012, with an encore following immediately after.[1] There will not be an opening credit sequence during the final season as producers don't want to waste time that could be used for story.[13] Gavin Degraw will perform in the series finale.[13]

[edit] Cast

Before season eight had finished filming, original cast members Bethany Joy Galeotti and Sophia Bush signed on for a final season, while James Lafferty was expected to return part-time.[15] Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Lisa Goldstein, Jana Kramer,[15] Shantel Vansanten and Stephen Colletti are also contracted through season nine.[16] Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Galeotti, James Lafferty, Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Shantel VanSanten and Jackson Brundage were listed as the regulars for season nine on The CW press release.[5]

At The CW upfront presentation, the network expressed confidence that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton would return. Mark Pedowitz said, that with everyone knowing season nine will be the last, it makes it more possible for old cast members to return.[17] On July 11, 2011, it was announced that Tyler Hilton would reprise his role as Chris Keller. Ten years have passed since he was last seen. He is rumored to return to help Haley run Red Bedroom Records as Peyton is still away.[18] It was later reported that Hilton would return in the season premiere as a series regular.[19] Kristin Dos Santos revealed that Paul Johansson will be returning to the series full-time as a regular.[20]

TV Line exclusively revealed that James Lafferty will appear in half of the season. Though, the seasons main focus will be on Nathan.[21] Zap2it later reported that he will remain a series regular,[22] and revealed he will appear in exactly seven episodes.[23] Chelsea Kane will appear in one episode early in the season as Tara, a rival café owner to Haley and Brooke.[24] Andrew Elvis Miller has been cast as a recurring character that will span the entire 13 episodes of the season. Millers' character has been revealed to be an Eastern European assassin.[25] Lisa Goldstein will continue on the series as a regular.[26] Jana Kramer will only appear in the first two episodes,[27] due to the actress' musical commitments.[28] Barbara Alyn Woods will be reprising her role as Deb Lee after taking a break from season 6 to spend time with her kids.[29] Zap2it later reported that she will return for one episode. Describing the circumstances around her return, they said she hasn't always been the most maternal person, but will prove she can still be "mom" when the situation demands it.[30]

The CW revealed on their official website that Chad Michael Murray will return as Lucas Scott for a guest appearance. Lucas returns to Tree Hill when Haley reaches out to him for help.[31][32][33] Murray later revealed he will return for one episode.[34] He will appear in the seventh episode of the season.[35] Murray revealed in an interview his reasons for returning, "The fans have loved this show and rooted for every character throughout its run. I know how important Luke's return is for our fans and wanted to give them one last ‘Lucas Scott’ moment. Luke's return is for them."[36] Former Desperate Housewives actor Richard Burgi, has been cast as Brooke's father, in a recurring role.[30] Allison Munn and Scott Holroyd will return for season nine as Miss Lauren and David Fletcher, respectively. They will return as a couple,Friday Night Lights Season 5 DVD Box Set, and she will be carrying his child. Devin McGee will also return as Brooke's attacker and Quentin's murderer, Xavier Daniels, who was last seen in season six.[37]

James Lafferty has signed on for one extra episode, which will be the series finale.[38] Bevin Prince will return as Bevin Mirskey in the series finale.[13]

[edit] Storylines

Before the series was renewed, Mark Schwahn said that if they decide to air the ending for season eight that will satisfy as a series finale, he could introduce the unaired cliffhangers in the season nine premiere.[39] In regard to her contract renewal, Sophia Bush tweeted, "The writers have GREAT plans!".[15] The season will have Brooke and Haley balancing family life with running a busy Karen's Cafe, while Nathan travels more as an agent. A possible wedding may occur with Mouth and Millie, or Clay and Quinn.[5] Lucas will take Lydia to stay with him after he comes to visit.[40] The series finale will have another time jump and will see the characters lives five years in the future.[41] Zap2it said that fans of Nathan and Haley's relationship can look forward to "plenty of shared scenes between Lafferty and Bethany Joy Galeotti," despite his reduced role in the season.[38] Nathan will be kidnapped during the season,[42][43] and Haley and Dan will be searching for him.[44]

According to a promotional video shown at the end of an evening of events—"An Evening with One Tree Hill"; the opening moments of the seasons first episode is narrated by Nathan. He speaks over scenes of a burning building whilst viewers also see Dan and Chris Keller seemingly plot a murder—in addition to this, opening shots include Chase in the back of a police car. Both Clay and Quinn are seen arguing alongside Brooke vandalising a rival cafe. Other scenes shown during the sequence include Julian being beaten up and Haley identifying a body in the morgue.[45] Towards the end of the season, the Burning Boat Festival will return to Tree Hill. It was last seen in the third episode of season one.[46]

[edit] Home release

The "An Evening with One Tree Hill" event in Wilmington was filmed and will be included on the DVD release.[47]

[edit] References v · d · eOne Tree Hill Season 1 • Season 2 • Season 3 • Season 4 • Season 5 • Season 6 • Season 7 • Season 8 • Season 9 Characters Episodes Related Mark Schwahn