Are Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton Leaving One Tree Hill?

Rumors of the actors' departure have been greatly exaggerated

By Kristin Dos Santos, Jennifer Godwin Feb 26, 2009 4:42 PMTags
Hilarie Burton, Chad Michael Murray, One Tree HillFred Norris/The CW

If you keep tabs on the One Tree Hill fandom, you may have heard some scary rumors over the past couple of days. Yes, the CW ordered a seventh season of the series, but if you are to believe the Internets, it would be without the presence of stars Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton.

Could the show really go on without them? Here's what we're hearing...

Rumors of the actors leaving the series have been greatly exaggerated. While it's true that the CW ordered a new season without having signed contracts with CMM and Burton, it turns out that's because the CW doesn't have signed contracts (yet) with any of the OTH talent.

Now, it's certainly possible that CMM and Burton could leave (there's no definite news either way), but overall, you can rest your pretty little heads about this issue, as we've been told by a reliable insider, "Obviously, most if not all [of the castmembers] are coming back."

Is there anyone you could live without? Anyone who must return or you won't watch anymore? Post in the comments...