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

[Jerry]

This is disgusting. Why not just cancel the show altogether if Chad and Hilarie are not returning? This is going to be a repeat of the horrible last season of the OC. I hope that without One Tree Hill the CW network drowns.

[KC]

If Chad and Hilarie leave One Tree Hill will be pointless. Yes i love Nathan and Haley. Yes I love Brooke and Julian now. Yes i love Skills and the teacher. Yes i love Mouth and Millicent but Peyton and Lucas have something on the show that is so real. They have been through so much and it teaches all of us that love is not easy. I mean look at them, They gone from in love in high school to Luke and Lindsey and NOW they are married and have a beautiful baby girl!! If you write them out there is no point in watching! Peyton and Lucas have become my favorite because they are both so different. Peyton loves her music and is into "walking her own path". Lucas is sweet and kind and so full of love for her. Dont take this away from OTH fans! The show is nothing without this couple. You dont bring them back and your rates are going to go down hill...Look what happened to The OC. They killed off Marrissa and tryed to come back for another season and thay failed.

I know eventually the show must end. But not like this. Let everyone be happy even if this is the last season.

[brigitte]

if in fact they are not comming back i will probably never watch the show again..the other charactors are great but it jsut wont be the same and i think a lot of people will stop watchin it and it wil be done i guess and that sucks

[Joyce]

I can not believe that the CW is letting go of the characters Lucas and Peyton. They are my favorite couple. I am not sure if I will watch the show when it comes back from hiatus. I believe CW will lose viewers if Lucas and Peyton are gone. They need to beg them to come back or there will not be a show without them. Please do whatever it takes to Keep Chad and Hilarie on the show.

[jessica]

Personally, I am totally over the whole lucas and peyton drama. I will continue to watch the show without them and I am hopeful to see a lot more of brooke's story line in their absence. I agree totally with the previous comment that peyton and lucas had gotten to a point that they were totally over acting and not realistic at all. In the beginning, I loved that the characters were all so real. Of couse at that point they were all small time actors and hadn't let the big screen go to their heads. I look forward to seeing a lot more of the characters who still feel genuine in their roles on the show. You know the art of a good actor is someone who makes you forget that they are acting all together. I am glad that One Tree Hill is losing a couple of the people who have lost the art of good acting and I would look forward to them bringing on more new faces. Maybe that would help the show get back to that genuine feel that drew so many to it in the beginning.

[erin]

personally i think its bull... my whole week revolves around one tree hill! Lucas and Peyton MAKE One Tree Hill... it would be like taking jerry sienfeld out of sienfeld it makes absolutly no sense! I most likely wont continue watching one tree hill if they are gone im sure im only one of the many that feel the same way!!!!

[Jillian Yee]

When I heard this, I was like no way! This can not be true, what the he'll are you thinking. They are one tree hill. You can not have a show without Lucas and peyton. Don't be so foolish to get rid of your stars. The fans want them. They are worth every penny. So, make things right!!!!!

[Barry]

Lucky for me i only got into one tree hill full time from series 5 but i had seen bits and pieces of it over the years. I am saddened to hear that Lucas and Peyton have been canned and like so many others i can't really see a reason to watch the show without them, don't get me wrong i love the other characters but right from the Pilot the story has always been about leyton, and now they finally get it together and are happy and they get cut from the show. I can only draw comparisons to the OC when Marissa left, i stopped watching because the whole Ryan & Marissa dynamic had gone. The show only lasted another season after that!! I fear this could also be the beginning of the end for One Tree Hill.

[Completely Devastated]

THIS IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER!!!! LUCAS AND PEYTON ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THIS SHOW!!! NO ONE WANTS TO SEE JULIAN'S OL' CROOKED MOUTH SELF EVERY WEEK!! I MEAN I COULD TOLERATE HIM AS A CHARACTER ON THE SHOW, BUT NOT WITHOUT LUCAS AND PEYTON... THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT AND I WILL NO LONGER BE WATCHING THE SHOW.... I HAVE BEEN A TRUE FAN FROM DAY ONE AND THE CW KEEPS,,,, I REPEAT,,,KEEPS MAKING BAD DECISIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M DONE.............

[Trish]

Without Lucus and Peyton, this show is going to suffer dramaticaly!! Love them both to death and many other fans do too!!! I disagree about the comment saying Gossip Girl, 90210 etc., aren't getting the ratings. They are wonderful shows and they have their full cast. If they start doing this to other shows too, then the CW is going to take a dive. This is really upsetting! How can you go 6 seasons and then let go of your 2 main characters? Not cool CW. You're screwing yourself over and ruining your fans for life. Why ruin an amazing show? That's what they did with The OC by killing off Marissa. Hope the CW gets it before it's too late.

[Tesla Ashcraft]

I loooove One Tree Hill and have been a faithful watcher to the show for many years, throughtout the whole 6 seasons. I didnt think that I was going to like the show as much when it was bumped up to five years later, but I got along with it although the past two seasons have been kind of corny. I loved the show back in the day when they were in High School it was so much better. I lovvvvveeee Chad Micheal Murry and I do not think that the show will be the same without him but Brooke has always been my favorite character no matter what! But then again I will always watch the show. I think that since the CW has been running things they have been doing terrible networking and they are offically taking all their comedys away which is stupid because there are many people who love the half hour shows. I am a Gossip Girl fan my self but I also record Smallvillie fan. THe cw needs to relize alot oif things and they are making huge mistakes...and Hilarie Burton needs to fix her hair ewww jeez that distorts Peytons image....BRING THEM BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crostacian]

the two main characters are not going to be on the show.......DUMB!! but i love hailey and brooke and nathan and jamie so i still might watch it but i am sure i am not going to enjoy it much..................... Peyton was../ IS my favorite character and she finally got the man and the family and now its the end..

recently OTH made it to the top of my favorite list now i dont kno where it stands

[Dee]

WHAT???? NO LUCAS and PEYTON? The is the CRAZIEST THING EVER! They are the MAIN Chaacters! Like it or not ONE TREE HILL WAS CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY!

Have they not heard of what happened to The Practice after the LEAD STAR got booted out? Did they not read about OC's idiotic Marissa death stunt?

Geeeezzzz!!! I hope OTH gets cancelled mid season. Stupid producers!

[Tiffany]

I've been watching this show since the beginning and if Chad and Hilarie go I will NOT watch OTH anymore. Lucas and Peyton have just started their family and lives together it is not fair to us the fans to not be able to see how their lives turn out. I feel like I personally know these characters and taking away these two main characters will kill the show and be like killing my best friends.

[Ricky]

It is very sad that they are losing the point of the show. It is about 2 brothers and their lives, so losing Lucas and the love of his life is very very stupid.

You need to be able to stop while you are ahead... or keep your leading actors.

I don't know if I'll watch the new season - it definitely won't be the great OTH we know and love.

[Brandi]

If Lucas and Peyton leave the show I will not watch the show any longer. They had such a big impact on season 6 the viewers are going to be disappointed. Having those two leave the show is a big mistake. Those two practically make the show. I will for sure not watch the show without them two.

[Amanda]

I have to agree---I wont be watching much with out P & L ---They would have so much more to go on with them being a family now & the baby---They are like the WHOLE SHOW- Yes I like everybody on there but they are the ones that make you not want to wait til next week. Cry , smile....AMERICA's #1 couple...COME ON NOW PLEASEEEEE !-PAY THEM AND BRING THEM BACK

[Becca]

Ok, as much as I love Nathan, Haley, and B.Davis, OTH just isn't OTH without Peyton and Lucas. Lucas IS oth, he's the main character. Without him, there wouldn't be a show. It's like the OC without Marissa.. failure. I can't fathom a way that this show is going to keep going without those two.

[krissy]

I really can not believe they would take the two most important charaters off the show they are the reason i watch the show i am really upset about this and i will not like it as much as i did! This is the biggest mistake that has been made. I am a number one fan, this has really made me mad and it makes no sence they are the center of the show they are connected to everyone and without them the show will not be complete or even begin to make sence. I am really dissappointed in this decision and very sad!!!!!!

[krissy]

I really can not believe they would take the two most important charaters off the show they are the reason i watch the show i am really upset about this and i will not like it as much as i did! This is the biggest mistake that has been made. I am a number one fan, this has really made me mad and it makes no sence they are the center of the show they are connected to everyone and without them the show will not be complete or even begin to make sence. I am really dissappointed in this decision and very sad!!!!!!