Chad Michael Murray Says It's an 'Honor' One Tree Hill Fans Still Care About the Show: 'They've Kept It Alive' (Exclusive)

After all these years, Chad Michael Murray is still amazed by the dedication One Tree Hill fandom.

Talking to PEOPLE exclusively about his new Netflix movie Merry gentlemenThe 43-year-old actor reflected on his breakthrough role as Lucas Scott on The CW series more than two decades ago.

Although the series ended its nine-season run in April 2012, the series still reigns as one of the most legendary teen dramas on television.

For Murray, the series’ long-running success is thanks to the fans.

“This OTH the family grew with us and we grew with them,” Murray tells PEOPLE of the fan base. “It was always their show, always was, and we all did it together.”

While Murray recognizes all of the show’s talented cast, including James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz and Sophia Bush, he adds that the success is ultimately a result of “teamwork” between them and the audience.

“There is nothing without fans One Tree Hillwhether we are there working or not,” he says. “The show would have been long gone, but they kept it alive, and it resonates with so many people, even today.”

James Lafferty and Chad Michael Murray.

Chad Michael Murray/instagram

One Tree Hill The cast talks about where they think their characters would be now

While the series’ initial fans grew up with the show, it continues to find new audiences through streaming. To this day, fans still come out in droves to meet the cast at conventions, including the annual FWB Charity Events basketball game in Wilmington, NC, where the original series was filmed.

“I go to conventions, I go out and meet people on the streets and you will see 13, 14-year-old girls who are completely in their One Tree Hill stage, they’re just getting started, and they’re already hooked,” Murray says of meeting new fans.

That ongoing love for the series has since fueled plans for a potential revival. In late August, original stars Bush and Burton confirmed their plans for the reboot, which they will also executive produce with former costar Danneel Ackles.

While Murray’s involvement in the reboot hasn’t been confirmed — he notably left the original series at the end of Season 6 — he’s incredibly grateful for the impact his character has had on fans.

“It’s wonderful to know that you’ve done something in your career that has impacted so many people globally and to be able to share that experience with them in those moments, it’s an honor,” he says.

Chad Michael Murray in ‘One Tree Hill’ in 2003.

WB/Fred Norris, Warner Bros. / Courtesy: Everett Collection

All about One Tree Hill Reboot, including what the cast had to say about the return

It recently opened Deadline about the upcoming reboot, noting that he hopes it happens for viewers.

“I really want some iteration of this show to come back for the fans,” he told the news outlet. “I’ll tell you, whatever iteration of the show comes out, I want it for the fans. With us there is such a brotherhood and bond between so many people around the world. I am grateful for that.”

As the cast celebrated the show’s 21st anniversary in September, many of the stars teased their potential involvement in the reboot while talking about where their characters might be today.

Although Paul Johansson said he was “done” with his character Dan during a Q&A event held at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Lafferty noted that he would be curious to see where his character Nathan will be.

“I think it would be great if he stayed with Haley and had a family and everything was fine,” Lafferty said, referring to his character’s girlfriend and eventual wife, played by Lenz. “I think it would be cool to see where his agent career is now.”

Bryan Greenberg, who played Jake Jagielski, joked that he thought his character was still facing legal trouble after Jake was shown going through a lengthy custody battle over his daughter Jenny and other run-ins with the police.

“Jake, I think, is still in the casting,” Greenberg said with even more laughter. “He was hiding out in Panama, playing guitar in a little beach bar waiting for Jenny to come get him. She’s all grown up—she sends me money.”

“I have no idea,” he admitted before teasing a possible revival or reboot. “But we might find out, because I hear there might be something going on.”

‘One Tree Hill’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Chad Michael Murray, Sophia Bush and James Lafferty in 2004.

Theo Wargo/WireImage

While there haven’t been any new updates with the reboot, Burton told PEOPLE that she’s been working with the all-female team on “this journey.”

“What I can say is that this turnaround, being able to work with a team of women and seeing these stories [and] these characters through a female lens is something that — whether I’m doing a reboot or a brand new series or another movie at this stage in my life, female teamwork is something that’s vital to me,” Burton said.

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Source: HIS Education