A One Tree Hill sequel series is in the works to one day stream for fans with Netflix subscriptions, and it’s already been fun thinking about what these beloved characters have been up to since we said goodbye to them over 10 years ago. With Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton on board to return, and Bush even admitting changes she'd make to Brooke Davis, could more be joining them? Tyler Hilton recently expressed interest, and I am loving his idea of what Chris Keller would be up to today.
Hilton recurred throughout Seasons 2, 3, and 4 as the egotistical musician who almost broke up Nathan and Haley, and after a years-long hiatus, returned to star in the ninth and final season of The WB/CW teen drama. Despite causing some trouble almost every time he was on the screen, he certainly grew to be a fan-favorite, and I would love nothing more than to have Chris Keller back in Tree Hill. Hilton shares the same sentiment, telling People he would love to play Chris once again:
I'll do any One Tree Hill thing anytime. It's got such a place in my heart. They'd always talked about reboots in the past, and I was always a ‘yes’ no matter what. It's become this zeitgeist thing for me and for the fans that I just feel like I should be a part of it if I'd be lucky enough to be asked. I think it would be really fun to do. I would love to get to play Chris Keller for the rest of my life. It's such a guilty pleasure.
Considering there would be times where Chris Keller would just randomly show up out of nowhere, it would definitely be easy to make it happen and explain where he’s been and why he’s just shown up out of nowhere. Plus, it seems like the show still holds a big spot in Hilton’s heart, and it would be fun to see him as Chris again, presumably causing some kind of trouble for others.
That being said, what exactly would bring Chris Keller back into the picture? Hilton shared a fun idea that would be perfect for the character, and it would also be a good way to involve Tree Hill High once again. Knowing how close he is with the cast, I desperately need to see it happen because it would just be way too good:
I either feel like he's running some studio and trying to foster new talent. always thought it'd be so funny to see him have to get a job at the high school as a music teacher and him hating it, but somehow making this horrible group of musicians good just with his inappropriateness. I think the funny thing with him is seeing him in a situation that he doesn't want, but he ends up making the best of it. He wants his ego fed, and life just doesn't give him that. And he somehow just keeps Chris-ing through it. I always thought that'd be funny, especially to see him around kids or teenagers who are fragile. I could totally see him just being a hero among teenage boys, much to his disdain.
Chris Keller helping a misfit group of teenage musicians would definitely be a unique way for the character to return, especially if he thinks he’s just helping himself. It would also give Hilton the chance to still be on the show without necessarily needing to show up in every single episode, if scheduling is a problem. While fans did see Chris turn on the charm for the kids in the final season, and he was actually pretty good at it, seeing him help teens would be a different story,
As of now, it’s unknown who else will be returning for the One Tree Hill reboot. Even though the original series might have gone on too long, the love for the show never went away, and it will be exciting to see, at least, where Brooke and Peyton are today as they raise their teens. It's going to be an emotional return to Tree Hill and for now, fans can go back and watch one of the many shows about young romance with all nine seasons of OTH streaming with a Hulu subscription.
