The beloved cast of One Tree Hill continues to bring holiday cheer to fans, with James Lafferty finally landing his first-ever Christmas movie, while other stars like Hilarie Burton, Danneel Ackles, Robert Buckley, Antwon Tanner, Tyler Hilton, and Bethany Joy Lenz have cultivated a festive legacy of their own across various holiday productions.
For over two decades, the fictional town of Tree Hill has held a special place in the hearts of television viewers. The captivating drama of One Tree Hill, which aired from 2003 to 2012, introduced audiences to a group of characters whose lives resonated deeply. Long after the series finale, the connections between the cast and their devoted fanbase remain strong, especially during the holiday season. This year, fans are particularly excited for a major milestone: James Lafferty, known globally as Nathan Scott, is set to star in his very first Christmas-themed film.
James Lafferty Makes His Festive Debut in ‘A Pickleball Christmas’
On October 25, 2025, it was announced that James Lafferty, at 40 years old, will finally grace the Christmas movie circuit with his inaugural holiday film, A Pickleball Christmas. This much-anticipated Lifetime movie is part of the network’s annual “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” schedule, slated to air between November 29 and December 20, 2025. Lafferty, famously associated with basketball as Nathan Scott, will trade his court shoes for a racquet in this pickleball-centered tale.
In A Pickleball Christmas, Lafferty portrays Luke Hollis, a tennis star fresh off a career-defining win. His holiday plans in Florida take an unexpected turn when he discovers his family’s racquet club is on the brink of being sold. To save it, Luke reluctantly partners with the club’s pickleball coach, Caroline, played by Zibby Allen of Virgin River fame. As they compete in a high-stakes holiday tournament, sparks fly, leading Luke to realize that the greatest victory might just be love, family, and a new chapter at home. This exciting news was first reported by Parade.
The announcement sent waves of excitement through the One Tree Hill fanbase. Many expressed their joy and a touch of nostalgia, with one fan noting the shared name between Lafferty’s character, Luke Hollis, and his on-screen brother, Lucas Scott, played by Chad Michael Murray. This playful nod to the show’s legacy highlights the deep connection fans still feel for the series and its stars.
The Enduring Holiday Legacy of One Tree Hill Castmates
While this marks James Lafferty’s first foray into Christmas films, many of his former One Tree Hill castmates have been staples of holiday programming for years, bringing joy and a sense of familiarity to the festive season. Their continued presence in made-for-TV movies reinforces the strong bonds forged during their time on the hit WB/CW series.
The Christmas Contract: A Reunion for the Ages (2018)
One of the most notable reunions occurred in 2018 with the Lifetime film The Christmas Contract. This movie brought together several beloved One Tree Hill alumni:
- Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer)
- Danneel Ackles (Rachel Gatina)
- Robert Buckley (Clay Evans)
- Antwon Tanner (Antwon “Skills” Taylor)
The film, which premiered on November 22, 2018, as part of Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup, followed Hilarie Burton’s character, Jolie, a web designer returning to her Louisiana hometown for Christmas after a difficult breakup. To navigate the holidays, Jolie’s best friend, Naomi (Danneel Ackles), suggests a “Christmas contract” with her brother, Jack (Robert Buckley), to act as her fake boyfriend. As expected, the fake relationship soon blossoms into something real. This reunion was confirmed by People magazine.
Adding to the nostalgia, Tyler Hilton, who played musician Chris Keller on One Tree Hill, made a special musical appearance in The Christmas Contract, performing his original holiday song “Don’t Feel Like Christmas.” Hilton shared with Entertainment Tonight that he wrote the song specifically for the movie, and seeing his former castmates in the audience felt like a “flashback” to their days on set.
The success of The Christmas Contract led to an hour-long companion special, “‘Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion,” hosted by Paul Johansson and featuring Hilarie Burton, Danneel Ackles, Antwon Tanner, Tyler Hilton, and Stephen Colletti. This special celebrated their movie and the broader phenomenon of One Tree Hill stars taking over holiday programming.
Other OTH Stars Lighting Up the Holidays
The holiday cheer doesn’t stop there. Several other One Tree Hill alums have become beloved figures in the Christmas movie genre:
- Bethany Joy Lenz, known as Haley James Scott, boasts a substantial list of holiday films, including A Biltmore Christmas and Poinsettas for Christmas. Fans have frequently expressed their desire to see her reunite with James Lafferty for a future Christmas project.
- Tyler Hilton continues his festive film career with upcoming projects like Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch, co-starring Arielle Kebbel. The title itself contains a delightful Easter egg, referencing his memorable OTH character, Chris Keller, much to the amusement of fans. This film is scheduled to air on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
- Stephen Colletti, who played Chase Adams, has also appeared in various holiday productions, further cementing the cast’s presence in the genre.
The Enduring Appeal and Future of One Tree Hill Holiday Reunions
The enthusiasm for these holiday films featuring One Tree Hill cast members is a testament to the show’s enduring popularity and the strong bond within its community. Hilarie Burton articulated this sentiment, noting that filming these movies with friends feels like a “paid vacation” and that the existing comfort among the cast allows them to “plug into different scenarios and it works,” as she shared with Entertainment Tonight. She even quipped about wanting to be the “Judd Apatow of Christmas movies” by continuously working with her friends.
Burton also addressed the phenomenon of new generations discovering One Tree Hill through streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, with younger fans recognizing her as Peyton Sawyer. She humorously clarified her favorite quote from the show, stating, “people don’t leave, the wrong people leave. The right people — case in point — stick around.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the loyalty of the One Tree Hill cast and their dedication to their fanbase.
The stars are eager to continue this festive tradition, with Hilarie Burton confirming plans to recruit more cast members for future Christmas movies, as long as the networks and fans remain supportive. The dream of a yearly One Tree Hill reunion movie is very much alive, promising many more years of holiday cheer from this beloved ensemble. As A Pickleball Christmas and other festive features arrive, fans can look forward to celebrating the season with the familiar faces from Tree Hill, proving that some family bonds, even fictional ones, are truly for life.
