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

[crystal]

I personally dont know if i will be watching one tree hill if they do not bring lucas and peyton back they let them have a baby together finially then you guys take them off the show please bring them back!!

[Maria]

This is Mess,

How is Payton and Lucas not apart of one tree hill. I'm not sure if i will keep watching. The show that came on tonight was weired with out them so i don't know if i want to keep watching...

[Gina]

I know I won't be watching One Tree Hill anymore. HUGE mistake...I need to find a new favorite show now. Lucas and Peyton were by far my favorite.

[Elizabeth Ellmore]

How could CW do this to us! What is wrong with you people! Fist you end Gilmore Girls horribly now you kick off the sexiest star ever?????? HOW COULD YOU? You will lose soooo many viewers. You guys are so lucky you have Vampire Diaries to recover this TRAGIC NEWS.

[Sonia Ruiz]

I am very upset that they aren't going to be on one tree hill. I have all the seasons of One Tree Hill and its because of chad and hilarie. They help make one tree hill what it is today. I don't know if iam going to watch it anymore if they aren't going to be in it. The cw needs to think about what there doing before they send One Tree Hill down hill.

[Lia]

im so pissed off they wont be having lucas or peyton the show is not the same without them....i wasnt very thrilled with the season premiere, if they dont bring them back i guarantee you will those ratings

[Jes]

This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I was reading some of the other comments and I agree with one of them who said "this show originally started with two half brothers." that is what the show was about. Lucas and peyton are the main characters and all the others just fall into place. How could they take them off the show right when they just got their lives started? They jsut had a baby!!! The show will never be the same without them. Chad Michael Murray is the most popular actor out of all of them, if he wants more perks in his contract then give them to him. Its so dumb how they left the show. I watched the season premeire of season 7 last night and it was extremely confusing and all I cared to know was where peyton, lucas and sawyer went. All it basically said was that they moved but it doesnt say whether or not peyton lived or sawyer lived. We all know lucas lived because he sent Jamie a birthday gift. So that must mean hes still around there. It doesnt make sense so he never comes back to see the family? I am just disgusted. The CW has make an enormous mistake! I hope some way somehow they can bring them back. I will continue to watch the show because it is my favorite show but it will never be the same without peyton and lucas!

Someone needs to start a protest!!!!!!!

[Dan]

CW Strikes again...I will never understand why they pump the advertising on shows like 90210 who barely pull in an audience yet they let the shows that made the network what it is go to their deaths. Taking Lucas and Peyton out of OTH reminds me all to much of when Marissa left The O.C., which if memory serves means that this will be the last season of OTH whether they can get the cast memebers to commit or not. There is a reason why lead actors are worth splashing the cash...it's because they are the heart of the show, but then again what do we fans know it's not like we are the reason the show has been on as long as it has. Hey CW while your at it why don't you fire Tom Welling from Smallville...oooor you could be a tad more intelligent than a group of chimps and start paying a little more respect to the shows and actors who have made you what you are. Boycotte!

[Aimee]

I think this is ridiculous! Chads character was not just a strong character it was the main character. Right form the beginning Lucas has been the narrator of the show and it has almost always revolved around him. I will probably still watch OTH, but I do know I will not enjoy it near as much. Peyton was my faviroute character; with out Chad and Hillary it is going to feel like a major part of the show is missing.

[jailene]

this sucks there the 2 main chracters

[Mrs.Rkelly]

I think we all need to stick together and stop watching one tree hill. I love you Chad, with your fine ass.

[sabree]

This show was set on 2 half brothers from the beginning... Now Peyton & Lucas marry & have a baby. Why would they want to get rid of the 2 MAIN stars.??
Look Lucas and Peyton's story has always been one of the main stories going on in the show, why would people want to take that away?
and Onestly the story was based on LUCAS and his life&& friends , yeah yal think Lucas & Peyton arent the main charcters but they are look back at all your sences all the good and the bad has happened with lucas & peyton and also other charcters but its always been his life story and how he spent it and what happen.
you just cant take them away.
ilove ONE TREE HILL and im not going to stopp watching it but it but all im going to say is its not gnna be the same

[Niki]

I honestly think that the show is dull without Peyton and Lucas. I always enjoyed them. Peyton was by far my favorite character. Without her its not as exciting. I'm not sure if I will keep watching season 7 or not. I'm thinking no. I love One Tree Hill, but they got rid of two main characters. Why would you get rid of Lucas when the show started revolvong around his life? DUMB. BRING THEM BACK!!!!

[Fatna]

Well what is their to say except you people have done a massive big mistake in letting the main, lead characare go. Lucas is one of the main reasons why i started to watch this Tv program but now that he wont be in ONE TREE HILL no more ruins the whole show. This is so devasting i cant get round this i just cant belive that Lucas the main lead actor wont be in this let me ask one question "really what is the point of a program without the main important actor init just ask your self that pleas. I swear you will be loosing your audienc since you cant make the fans happy with what they want i am sorry to say this but it is true. I love brooke, haley and nathen but the main actor i love the most is LUCAS the whole point of this program was about him and you just got ride of the most popular actor good luck with that.......................
ps. i am so pissed please get LUCAS back i love him to bit please lucas is the best this news has destroyed alll of your fans thanks a lot.......

[nathalie]

this is so stupid of them to let go of the two people who make one tree hill happened yeah the other people are really good to . but everyone know that they would watch the tv show to see what was going to happened with penyton and lucus there love story was amazing and what the only thing that was keep it together . i have a good feeling that one tree hill is now really over without them why should they keep making more season when it dumb now l. they start it with there love story and it would be so stupid to watch the show i know im not anymore .

[Danielle Nelson]

This is the worst thing Tree Hill has done, they were the main charactures. Sure we love the whole cast but the story was centered around them. Its going to get old watching the all of their friends & family. Stupid move CW & Mark Schwann. I'll probably quit watching sooner than later.
Can not get over it, really loved the show, just a big disapointment.

[sean noble]

the one tree hill show has gone down hill so much everyone i know is boy cotting the show til chad micheal murry and hilary burton is back on the show they made the show what it is today and without them in the show its not worth watching so hope they come back because it was a great show while it lasted hope to see them again because you cant end the 6th season the way they did and not have them back well thats all i have s=to say on the subject and hope they come back we really miss them

[Brenda]

I was so surprised to find out that Lucas and Peyton are no longer in the show. OTH is one of my favorite shows and I would work my schedule around it. Although there could be a few more interesting events for Lucas and Peyton, the show will suck without them. THey are a huge part of the show. It bothers me a lot that they're not a part of it anymore. I am actually kinda' pissed off that happened. I don't know if I even want to continue watching the show.

[OTH Was my Favorite, and now it Sucks!]

I cannot believe that not only are the main characters gone from the show.....BUT I WAITED THE ENTIRE SHOW TO EVEN HEAR SOMEONE MENTION THEIR NAMES!!! The season finale is like, begging us to watch the next season..and we wait all summer...and now this?!? A bunch of skanks trying to act like Megan Fox? Forget it- I can't believe how quickly this show went from #1 to Number None!

[erica]

Okay seriously this is the most rediculous thing i have ever heard in my life.. i have every season of one tree hill it is my favorite show and yeah peyton was all about drama but you can't cut her and lucas off the show right after she has the baby..that absolutely killed the show and the producers are gonna be sorry when the show gets taken off the air..i could swear so much right now but im not going to... 143 lucas and peyton..i no longer like one tree hill..thankss