Original series co-lead James Lafferty opted to return as a part-time regular for the final season, with original cast members Bethany Joy Lenz and Sophia Bush returning to lead the season with Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Shantel VanSanten, Jackson Brundage, Lee Norris, Jana Kramer, Lisa Goldstein and Stephen Colletti.

After nearly a decade of highs and lows, heartbreak, celebrations, and secrets, the residents of this small North Carolina Town return for a final farewell season filled with new hope, new challenges, and dangers.

As Brooke and Julian begin to adjust to life with their new children, Haley and Nathan find themselves dealing with similar issues.

Brooke discusses a new business venture with her father, despite her mothers wishes, as Julian stresses about his own investment in a sound studio.

Clay gets into trouble and Quinn gets involved; Julian deals with his guilt over leaving the baby in the car; Mouth agrees to take care of his health but continues eating when Millie is asleep.

Brooke gets an idea of how to bring patrons to an empty Karen's Cafe, and Chris Keller confronts Chase about Tara.

Lucas takes Jamie and Lydia out of town to stay with him and Peyton until Haley can find Nathan and bring him home.

Brooke's conflict with Xavier escalates when he attacks her in a parking garage, she is saved by the rival cafe owner Tara, who tasers him.

As Haley prepares to present the annual Tree Hill Burning Boat Festival, Brooke uses the opportunity to process her father's betrayal, while Julian tries to breathe new life into a past idea.

Mouth and Millie make a change to their morning show, and Clay and Quinn get ready for Logan's first night at the beach house.

In the final chapter of One Tree Hill, the tenth anniversary of Tric brings old faces and new possibilities for the Tree Hill family; Quinn adopts Logan and marries Clay, Haley introduces Jamie to her predictions with Lucas and Julian buys Brooke her childhood home.

In the time-jump, the Tree Hill gang are seen at Jamie's high-school basketball game, where his jersey is seen on the wall as the "all time top scorer".

Mark Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin, and Brian Robbins will all continue in their roles on the show.

[7] The Corning manufacturing site on North College Road is also being used as the location for some scenes based in Tree Hill's hospital, police station and TV studio.

[10] At the Television Critics Association summer press tour, president of entertainment at The CW, Mark Pedowitz said "At this point it's the final 13," about the possibility of extending the season.

He added, "You never want to say never," revealing that he did speak to executive producer Mark Schwahn and that they agreed that 13 episodes is the best number to close the series with.

[13] There was no opening credit sequence during the final season as producers didn't want to waste time that could potentially be used for story.

"[17] In another interview, Bethany Joy Galeotti revealed her own reasons for returning, "It was a really tough decision, but I have a few friendships here that I wasn't ready to walk away from yet.

[23] Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Lisa Goldstein, Jana Kramer,[23] Shantel Vansanten and Stephen Colletti are also contracted through season nine.

[24] The regulars for season nine—as listed on a press release from The CW—are Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, James Lafferty, Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Shantel VanSanten and Jackson Brundage.

At The CW upfront presentation, the network expressed confidence that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton would return.

[35] Barbara Alyn Woods will be reprising her role as Deb Lee after taking a break from season six to spend time with her kids.

[37] The CW announced on their official website that Chad Michael Murray will return as Lucas Scott for a guest appearance.

[23] The season will have Brooke and Haley balancing family life with running a busy Karen's Cafe, while Nathan travels more as an agent.

[50] Zap2it said that fans of Nathan and Haley's relationship can look forward to "plenty of shared scenes between Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz", despite his reduced role in the season.

He speaks over scenes of a burning building whilst viewers also see Dan and Chris Keller seemingly plot a murder—in addition to this, opening shots include Chase in the back of a police car.

[55] Discussing the possibility of the death of one of the characters, Robert Buckley said: "The One Tree Hill family, as we know it, is going to change by season's end.

Chris Kellar will develop a "bromance" with Chase this season as they begin to spend a lot of time together as he will be working next door to TRIC.

[59] James Lafferty believes this is the worst year for Nathan, but revealed that he is happy with where he left the character and the pay-off at the end is worth it.

The box-set features over two hours of extra content, including five featurettes, audio commentary, unaired scenes and a gag reel.