The seventh season of One Tree Hill premiered on September 14, 2009. This is the first season not to include the show's original cast members Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton. After successful ratings for the first three episodes, The CW gave the series a full-season order of 22 episodes.
The season premiere was seen by 2.45 million viewers and achieved a 1.2 rating in Adults 18âÂÂ49. Episode 7 achieved season highs with 2.67 million viewers and a 1.3 rating in Adults 18âÂÂ49. The season averaged 2.28 million viewers and a 1.1 rating placing it at #115 in the 2009âÂÂ10 season.
14 months have passed since Lucas and Peyton left town for good, but the intertwined lives in Tree Hill has undergone major changes: new faces arrived, while new challenges await those who stayed. Nathan's NBA career is threatened by an explosive scandal, while Haley faces a family tragedy that makes her hit rock bottom. Brooke thinks she's found true love with Julian - until Hollywood hottie Alex arrives! Dan leaves the slammer for the media spotlight and a sexy young wife - Rachel! Millie spirals into self-destruction, breaking Mouth's heart. And compelling new characters arrive: Haley's beautiful sister Quinn and Nathan's agent Clay, both with secrets from the past and dramatic new stories to tell.
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On February 25, 2009, The CW renewed One Tree Hill for a seventh season. On May 12, 2009, it was confirmed that both Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton would not be returning for the seventh season. On June 8, 2009, it was announced that the seventh season will occur a year into the future from the sixth season finale.
On September 29, 2009, The CW ordered a full season, set to total at 22 episodes.
This season includes three new characters portrayed by Robert Buckley, Shantel VanSanten, and Jana Kramer. Buckley is featured as Clayton, Nathan's agent and friend. VanSanten is featured as Haley's sister Quinn James. Kramer is featured as Alex, a model for Brooke fashion line, "Clothes Over Bros".
Returning are both Austin Nichols who plays Julian Baker a character introduced in the sixth season and Danneel Harris who had previously portrayed bad girl Rachel Gatina. Nichols has been promoted to a series regular while Harris will be recurring for at least seven episodes, beginning with the second episode of the seventh season. In an interview with new cast member Shantel VanSanten, she had noted the return of Lindsey McKeon as Taylor James, the sister of Haley and Quinn, midway through the season.
While speaking on the return of Taylor, VanSanten also revealed that her character's mother, played by Bess Armstrong will also return.
The season averaged 2.28 million viewers and a 1.1 average Adults 18âÂÂ49 rating placing it at #115 in the 2009âÂÂ10 season.
The DVD release of season seven was released after the season has completed broadcast on television. It has been released in Region 1 and Region 2 and Region 4. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material such as audio commentaries on some episodes from the creator and cast, deleted scenes, gag reels and behind-the-scenes featurettes.