Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton leaving 'One Tree Hill'

It's seems unreal, but a rep for the CW tells us it's true: Lucas and Peyton are moving out of "One Tree Hill."

Rumors that the shows stars, Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, would not be returning for the show's seventh season began circulating in February when the CW announced a series renewal without specifying which cast members would be back.

Soon after, a video of Murray talking to his fans surfaced. Seemingly unaware he was being filmed, the actor told fans, "They're not bringing me back next year ... because they want to save money." He even encouraged them to rally behind him: "Start blogging and being pissed off."

In April, "One Tree Hill" executive producer Mark Schwann told a crowd in Paris that all of the actors had signed on for Season 7, except for Murray and Burton. "They're in negotiations right now and I know they've been offered great things, and hopefully they'll decide to come back. If they don't that's always a possibility...[the show] has made it through some of the riskier moves we've done."

Looks like the public negotiating didn't take. A rep for the network confirms the two are out, and EW.com additionally reports that two new characters will be introduced next season. Austin Nichols, who play's Brooke's man Julian, meanwhile, will be upped to a series regular.

When last we saw the blissfully happy Lucas and Peyton, they had just been married. Unfortunately, in the final moments of Monday's episode, a very pregnant Peyton began to bleed and passed out cold on their honeymoon bed.

Does this news spell trouble for Peyton? She did record those video messages to her baby a couple of weeks ago (in an episode directed by "One Tree Hill's" own James Lafferty). And what about Lucas? His heart's been ticking fine for some time.

Guess we'll all find out what happens to the pair together during Monday's season finale.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Hilarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray. Credit: The CW

Comments

[Jess]

If this is true i don't know if i'll be watching, the character of Lucas has been a very strong character and if he goes i will find it even sadder than if one tree hill were to finish. I have tries to contemplate Michael in Prison Break dying but Lucas in One tree hill i wouldn't enjoy watching it without him, the story was based on him more than anyone. Big MISTAKE to let him go, viewers will be lost, they may as well justr cancel the show...

ANGRY and UPSET

[pissed]

BIGGEST MISTAKE THE CW HAS MADE TO DATE, RIGHT HERE. (and thats a list to look at on it's own).

Don't let ayone spin this into something else. Chad Michael Murray may have been asking for improvements to his contract and may have been difficult, but WAS willing to come back. This bad decision falls on the CWs shoulders. Hilarie Burton effectively got fired, because she wanted to stick around. Once they lose all the original WB shows this network will be done for. They pour all of their cash into promoting Gossip and 90210 and neither can get the ratings Hill, Supernatural, and Smallville do. This show is going to be terrible without them, and I and many others wont be sticking around to see it fail.

Thanks for 6 great seasons, but this is my last. i wont watch a network that wont keep our lead actors and wont give fans the show they want to see.

[Steph]

I think One Tree Hill could definitely survive without Peyton and Lucas! I'm sorry but Peyton is super annoying...she always has been....whenever she is speaking I am completely aware that she is acting.....Lucas has become increasingly annoying as well. But the Show would survive because Brooke is GREAT! I love her....there could be some more story lines with her and Julian! And Mouth and his girl. I love Mili! Brooke is way awesome and so is Sam....I for sure think that the show could survive without the annoying blonde duo .... tortured souls are overdone!

[Sam!]

I think this is the stupidest thing that I have ever heard of. Leyton is the leading couple on One Tree Hill. I dont think that I can watch it after this season. There is NO WAY One Tree Hill will get a full season 7 without them. This show was set on 2 half brothers from the beginning. Now Leyton marry & have a baby. Why would they want to get rid of the 2 MAIN stars. Goodbye One Tree Hill...Thanks for 6 great seasons!!

[jess]

One Tree Hill was a great show. Now it's like they are trying to find something to film about.. Peyton and Lucas is so old.. Everything they are doing now has been done.. Like Peyton getting shot in the school, like a rerun just different place.. There need to be more Drama in the show, it is boring.. If or when the do leave you need to brookes and everyone else chartaters up.. Cause now you are foced on Lucas and Peyton. We need to look foward to watching the show when it comes back

[Nicole]

although i love the whole cast and they are all great, if lucas and peyton are gone i wont watch anymore. this saddens me because i have no missed one episode... the show is over with out them.

[Natosha]

I am just very happy that the show is coming back for another season. I am a die hard fan of One Tree Hill, and I have been from the start. Although I am sad to see Lucas and Peyton go, I am just so releived that the show is going to continue on.

[Amanda]

I will NOT watch this show if they get rid of Lucas and Peyton. They are my favorite characters and the show will be lost without them. This will be the last season I watch! The Cw really needs to rethink this decision. I have been watching since season 1. This is unreal and very disappointing!

[ChiTown Fan]

DUMB DUMB DUMB...whats the point of watching the show.......
10 of us at our work are in boycott OTH mode starting next season
No offense to the other great cast members but this is like Brenda leaving 90210-the show will just SUCK

[Kelly]

One Tree Hill will still be fab even with out those two clowns. Lucas should be with Brooke and Peyton should be with Jake together they are just way too over the top and dramatic and this season Peyton has just been such a Debbie downer and her hair looks hid someone should really do something about that. I hope they get Bryan Greenberg back on the show and give Nathan some more screen time and maybe cause a little more drama with him and Haley. OTH will be fine sans Pucas as long as they up the ante and the drama. Also I could use a little more Dan Scott his sarcasm was always so funny!

[someonewhosnotgonnawatchseason7.]

I've been watching the show throughout all six seasons so far. I don't plan to watch season 7, since uh.. two of the main characters aren't gonna be around. Lucas and Peyton's story has always been one of the main stories going on in the show, and I don't think many fans will be sticking around without them. The other characters are great, like Brooke, Nathan, Haley etc., but I think that part of the shows success is also owed to Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton. The story is changing too much. I know they have to get older, and move on, but I think that the show should try and keep some of the roots from the first few seasons.

Good bye One Tree Hill, I'm gonna miss you.

[craig moss]

ugh. crazy. kinda like saved by the bell with no zack or kelly. wow. oth is based around these two. idk what happened but bottom line seems to be, that hilarie and chad are out. ouch. =/
sucks for the show, cw, and more importantly, the fans. the show will never be the same without them. it would be better if the show was done but there's another season. it really really sucks that the main characters and whole base of the show is gone. but, mark is very talented and i know oth will still be great

[Benita]

idk if OTH will survive without Peyton and Lucas. They are such a huge part of the show... idk if i'll continue to watch w/o them either. I like Brooke and Nathan and everyone but it just wouldnt be the same without the duo in the show.

[steven]

it will be like the oc without marissa lol

[Henry .c.]

I think not bringing lucas and peyton is just thesame as saying you are tired of the show, and wants it to end. I have not seen a show where the main story characters are being sent off before the series ends. Just like not featuring scoefield and sara in prisonbreak.. If that really happens, be sure that I for one will be lost as a fan of one tree hill....

[ayvy]

It's seems unreal...the writers are so.....without Lucas and Peyton..IT IS NO OTH...THIS IS THEIR STORY.....Thanks for 6 great season...I won''t watch this show.....
I WANT TO SEE CHAD AND HILARIE AGAIN..GOOD LUCK IN THEIR CAREERS

[Kat]

Lucas isn't just one of the main characters, he is THE main character. The whole series takes place because of him. He is the tie that binds and it's ridiculous that they are even considering moving forward without him.

[ivette (MIAMI)]

I have been a big fan of one tree hill since 2003. I am so upset that Lucas and Peyton are leaving!!!!! I love the whole cast but it will never be the same... SORRY C.W .U MADE A BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL NOT BE APART OF SEASON 7. I rather keep the memories of last Mondays show and that’s it. It was a great 6 season’s. I really do not understand why C.W. is even wasting everyone’s time the story was based on Lucas and Peyton, them getting together, getting married, having children and now let me guess they all die. That just so stupid.

[Sami]

Let me start off with sayin ONE TREE HILL WITHOUT CHAD AND HILARIE???? SERIOUSLY THE PERFECT COUPLE!! No way it just wouldnt be the same without them i dont think i can watch the 7th season if they are not there they can not just leave off with them having a baby Payton could possibly die!! THEY CANT HAVE HER DIE!!! AND NOT SHOW UP FOR THE 7th SEASON!!!! ONE TREE HILL WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITH OUT THEM!!! Im am almost positive that they will loose a bunch of views over that part. It is a HUGE MISTAKE!! I really do hope they change their mind, and be in the 7th season! That would be great!!

[Sami]

I SERIOUSLY CANT BELIEVE THEY WOLD GO ON WITH THE SHOW WITHOUT THE MAIN CHARACTERS!!!!