I had the privilege of attending a farewell event in Wilmington last month to celebrate 9 years of One Tree Hill. The “Evening with One Tree Hill,” as it was billed, was bittersweet for the cast, crew, and fans alike, but it was evident that this “Little Show That Could” touched a lot of lives on both sides of the TV screen. The cast passed a box of tissues back and forth for the sentimental moments, only to let loose with uproarious laughter a moment later when they reminisced over a funny story or watched Rob Buckley demonstrate his signature dance move, the Power Drop, while the audience looked on, delighted. It was nice to see that the show that has meant so much to fans around the world also made an indelible imprint on the people who spent 9 years bringing it to life.
So, it came as no surprise that the cast took to Twitter during the last week of filming to share their memories and say their goodbyes to the iconic people and places of Tree Hill. I simply wanted to commemorate it by compiling a few of my favorite quotes and pictures from the cast members during filming for episode 187 of One Tree Hill. I’ve replaced Twitter screen names with real names for the ease of non-Twitter readers, but I’m keeping the hashtags in place, because they were special to all of us.
~~~~~~~~~
Sophia Bush:
Today marks the first day of filming the last episode of One Tree Hill … My heart is bursting at the seams. The years we’ve shared laughing, crying, and growing … What a family we are. Thank you, each and every one of you, for coming on this journey with us.
Day 1 of filming the One Tree Hill series finale…
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
James Lafferty:
Lights shining on our Rivercourt for the very last time. This is one location I will never forget. #GoodnightRivercourt
Sophia Bush:
One more week. But tonight we celebrate …
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
Lindsay Wolfington (Music Supervisor):
Gavin DeGraw on-camera taping today. In between takes, he’s quietly playing chords to ‘I Don’t Want to Be’ #coolsentimentalmoment #OTH
Gavin DeGraw:
Thank you again to the creators, cast, and crew of OTH for having yesterday. You’re a class act.
Stephen Colletti:
Last call. Cue Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” last day of shooting in Tric “FOR-EV-ER.” My fingers are feeling a little sticky…Goodnight, TRIC. May you forever hear the jams that rocked you.
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
Day 5 of 9, OTH Series Finale. Countdown picture of the day… Goodnight “Karen’s”
This picture turned up online with reports that Joy kissed the door of Karen’s Cafe as filming was completed:
WildLife_TV:
#GoodnightNathan
Picture from a fan, RT’d by James Lafferty:
#GoodnightNaley
Stephen Colletti:
My man. That’s a wrap on Chuckle. “CHUCK!”
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
OTH Series Finale, Day 6 of 9 Countdown Photo… That’s a wrap on James Lafferty, a gentleman and a scholar. Goodnight, Nathan Scott. (James responded: I’m still in there. Decided to pretend like it’s not true. Just waitin’ to be called for rehearsal…..)
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
We’re up on the Karen’s rooftop set. So many memories here— mini golf, water balloon fights, laughter & tears… It’s a great place to leave Haley James. Thank you all for your years of support… You have made possible many wonderful memories for me.
Sophia Bush:
That’s a wrap on Jackson Brundage. A celebratory bear pile was in order. I’m so lucky to have such a great little friend. #GoodnightJamieScott
Shantel VanSanten:
Just rehearsed & about to shoot my last scene ever on OTH with Rob Buckley. It’s an honor to work beside & laugh with my BFF for 3 seasons!
Robert Buckley:
I can’t believe that I’m halfway through my final day on OTH; to say it’s surreal would be a colossal understatement.
Shantel VanSanten: There were many tears shed (even by Rob Buckley) but here is how we’re coping with wrapping on OTH! #GoodNightClinn
Austin Nichols:
Last day of work for Lee Norris. I was there for his final scene. Great actor. #GoodnightMouth
Stephen Colletti (quoting the U2 song for which the show was named):
“I’ll see you again when the stars fall from the sky and the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill.”
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
#GoodnightQuinnJames #GoodnightClayEvans #GoodnightRedBedroom
RealOneTreeHill (official Twitter):
9 years. 187 eps. Over 8k scenes. Millions of amazing fans. 6,471,818,671 people in the world, and sometimes all you need is #OneTreeHill
James Lafferty:
As One Tree Hill wraps today, I think we all owe a thank you to Mark Schwahn. He dreamed it all up and changed our lives. #ThanksMastermind.
Sophia Bush:
Three more scenes as Brooke Davis. Wow … “For now, I say goodbye to this chapter in my life. And I look forward to what comes next.”
Daphne Zuniga:
AAAAHHHH! Today’s the last day of this show!! Drinking my last am cup of java in makeup… Dear time, can you please slow down a little bit today? Thx J
Daphne Zuniga, to Sophia Bush: I love you so much! Victoria and Brooke made it work.
Sophia Bush:
And that’s a #GoodnightVictoria @DaphneZuniga. I love you like a mother, a sister, a best friend. xo
Austin Nichols:
Today is the final day of shooting for One Tree Hill. Saying goodbye to all these talented folks. Unraveling a bit.
Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols:
And then there were two. Picture is up on our final scene. My heart is bursting with love. What a gift these 13 weeks have been.
And that’s a wrap. Oh my heart. To end where it all began … #GoodnightBrookeDavis
Bethany Joy Galeotti:
And after the wrap:
Sophia Bush:
I’ve been crying for 36 hours. Spontaneous sobbing in strange places. It happens in an instant, then I start swearing, & repeat.
Wilmington has renamed the street that runs alongside Screen Gems Studios to One Tree Hill Way. Here are some cast members posing with the sign at the One Tree Hill wrap party:
And, perhaps as a sign that with any ending comes a new beginning, two OTH guest stars (who are married in real life) welcomed their first child to the world just as One Tree Hill wrapped filming. Congratulations to Scott Holroyd (who I remember fondly from his As the World Turns days) and Allison Munn! Allison had this to say on Twitter:
Allison Munn:
@scottholroyd + @allisonmunn = Nathan Powell Holroyd. Welcome to the world, Baby Nate!
It certainly feels odd that filming is wrapped forever, and the One Tree Hill cast have packed up their boxes in Wilmington and moved back home, but we still have another season to watch! Season 9 premieres on the CW on January 11th! I’ll be there with my tissues at the ready.
#GoodnightTreeHill