Years after becoming a household name through One Tree Hill, Chad Michael Murray is looking to bring some of the magic that made the beloved teen drama successful into his latest television project, Sullivan’s Crossing. The actor, who became widely recognized for his role as Lucas Scott, is not only starring in the Canadian drama but is also sharing creative ideas that could help the series build a lasting legacy of its own.

Murray’s career has come full circle in many ways. He first captured audiences’ attention as Lucas Scott, the emotional and determined basketball player at the center of One Tree Hill. The series premiered in 2003 on The WB before moving to The CW and became one of the network’s most memorable dramas. Murray remained a major part of the show for six seasons before leaving in 2008. Over the years, he explored different acting opportunities, appeared in various television projects, started a family, and eventually returned to The CW universe with a role on Riverdale.

In 2023, Murray found himself back on television screens in a very different but familiar kind of story. He joined Sullivan’s Crossing, a Canadian adaptation of Robyn Carr’s popular romance novels, playing California “Cal” Jones. The series follows the emotional journeys of people connected to a small campground community, with themes of love, family, healing, and second chances. Although the show has its own identity, fans of One Tree Hill may notice similarities between the two dramas, including their close-knit communities, complicated relationships, and emotional love triangles.

Ahead of the announcement of Sullivan’s Crossing season 5 in July 2026, Murray opened up about how he hopes the series can continue growing by borrowing certain elements that helped One Tree Hill become a cultural favorite. One of his biggest ideas involves transforming Shandon’s Diner into more than just a place where characters gather.

Murray explained that he would love to see Shandon’s Diner become a musical destination similar to Karen’s Cafe from One Tree Hill. In his vision, the diner could become a place where musicians visit, perform songs, and even take on small acting roles within the storyline. He believes adding live performances could create memorable moments while bringing a fresh layer of entertainment to the show.

On Sullivan’s Crossing, Shandon’s Diner serves as a familiar local meeting spot operated by fictional siblings Rob Shandon, played by Reid Price, and Sydney Shandon, played by Lindura. The location has the potential to become a central part of the community, much like Karen’s Cafe did in One Tree Hill. That original fictional café eventually evolved into TRIC, a nightclub that became one of the most iconic locations in the series.

Music was a major part of One Tree Hill’s identity. Throughout its run, the show featured performances from well-known artists including Sheryl Crow, Gavin DeGraw, Fall Out Boy, and Jimmy Eat World. The series also helped highlight actors who were musicians themselves, including Bethany Joy Lenz, Tyler Hilton, Kate Voegele, and Jana Kramer, who appeared in the show while sharing their musical talents with viewers.

For Sullivan’s Crossing, Murray believes a similar approach could help create special moments for audiences. When asked which performers he would like to see appear at Shandon’s Diner, many of his choices reflected the country atmosphere of the series. He mentioned artists such as Dan + Shay and Florida Georgia Line, who reunited in 2026. Since the drama takes place around a wooded campground setting, Murray felt that country music would naturally fit the environment.

He imagined musicians arriving at the diner, performing intimate songs, and possibly exploring acting opportunities through guest appearances. According to Murray, bringing artists into the story would not only provide great music but would also allow performers to showcase another side of their creativity.

However, Murray’s dream guest list is not limited to country artists. He also mentioned Brandy Norwood, a singer and actress who previously worked with him on the television series Star. Murray appeared in eight episodes of the show between 2018 and 2019, where he played a character involved in an intense relationship with Brandy’s character. He also appeared in Brandy’s music video for the song “All I Need,” which was connected to the series.

The connection between Murray and Brandy could make a potential appearance on Sullivan’s Crossing especially interesting. During previous interviews, Brandy praised Murray’s professionalism and kindness while working together on emotionally intense scenes. She described him as respectful and spoke positively about his dedication to his family and his work.

The possibility of bringing familiar faces and musical performances into Sullivan’s Crossing reflects Murray’s desire to create a show that feels bigger than just a romance drama. Much like One Tree Hill, he hopes the series can become a place where storytelling, relationships, and music come together to create unforgettable television moments.

With Cal and Maggie’s relationship facing major developments following the emotional events of season 4, the future of Sullivan’s Crossing still has plenty of opportunities for new characters, unexpected reunions, and creative ideas. Murray’s involvement suggests that he is not only returning to a style of storytelling that shaped his career but is also helping build a new series that could leave its own mark on viewers.