One Tree Hill: The Best Character In Each Season

Famous for wild and confusing moments that never really add up, One Tree Hill manages to be a sweet and relatable teen drama thanks to the well-developed characters. While the core friend group are all compelling, from artistic Peyton to friendly Lucas, athletic Nathan, spirited Brooke and adorable Haley, the show also features minor characters who fans become invested in over the seasons.

It’s definitely true that every major and minor character has a fascinating arc in each season, but some people stand out more in certain seasons thanks to intense storylines and the personal growth that they show.

9 Season 1: Lucas Scott

While Lucas has many great One Tree Hill storylines, he really shines in season 1 thanks to his crushes on Brooke and Peyton along with his love of basketball.

As Lucas starts accepting that he has grown up differently from his half-brother Nathan, he begins thinking about his future, while realizing that he has strong feelings for two people who have been BFFs since forever. This is a formative season for Lucas and fans learn that he’s kind, compassionate, strong, smart, and always willing to help others.

8 Season 2: Haley James

Season 2 is when Haley struggles with her marriage to Nathan and begins to stand on her own two feet. Haley figures out how to be independent while also loving Nathan, which is something that will help her as they start a family and experience many ups and downs over the next few years.

It’s a lot of fun watching Haley explore her love of music and record songs with Chris, and it’s also important that Haley realizes that no matter how much she cares about Nathan, he really needs to support her.

7 Season 3: Keith Scott

The season 3 episode “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept” is the most unforgettable from the entire young adult drama. Keith murders his brother Dan during the school shooting, which is one of the most tragic things that ever happens in Tree Hill.

Because of this memorable moment that still makes fans emotional, Dan is the best character in season 3. His death has horrible ripple effects as Lucas struggles and wonders how he can move past it, and the characters have to cope with the fact that Dan is so evil and horrible.

6 Season 4: Rachel Gatina

One of Brooke’s best One Tree Hill plotlines also involves Rachel as in season 4, Brooke and Rachel steal a Math test so Brooke can get a passing grade and graduate from high school.

It’s thanks to this storyline that Rachel is season 4’s most significant character. Rachel is a fascinating person as on the one hand, she flirts with and tries to seduce Nathan and take him away from Haley, proving that she has a mean streak to her. On the other hand, though, Rachel wants to be a good friend to Brooke and doesn’t want Brooke to fail an important class. Later, Rachel struggles with drugs and even marries Dan, but in season 4, viewers still hope that she will end up okay.

5 Season 5: Lindsey Strauss

While Lindsey might not be the most beloved One Tree Hill character overall, she’s such a big part of season 5 that she is the most important character during this batch of episodes.

Lindsey’s presence on the show is the spark that Peyton and Lucas need to finally set aside their problems and reunite. Lucas and Lindsey almost get married, and Lindsey learns that Lucas is still deeply in love with Peyton. Lindsey is also a big inspiration and motivation for Lucas as she’s his book editor and even though they go their separate ways, she helps his dream come true and changes his life forever.

4 Season 6: Peyton Sawyer

While Peyton makes strange life choices, she goes through so much in season 6 as her pregnancy turns complicated. Peyton and Lucas get married, meet their baby girl Sawyer, and move away from Tree Hill.

A lot may happen to Peyton in earlier seasons, from meeting her birth mom to having a stalker and falling in love with teen parent Jake, but it’s season 6 when Peyton realizes that she has enough strength and independence to move forward with her life no matter what it throws at her.

3 Season 7: Brooke Davis

Brooke has an interesting character arc in every season, but it’s during season 7 when she begins feeling that she’s worthy of love and looking to the future. Alex brings some drama to season 7 as she models for Clothes Over Bros and has a crush on Julian, who Brooke has been seeing. Things get even worse when Alex stars in Julian’s movie Seven Dreams ‘Til Tuesday.

Brooke has always wondered if someone could love her, and at the end of season 7, she realizes that it’s possible when she and Julian get engaged. This is a significant moment for Brooke since it represents a positive change in her confidence and mindset, and fans are excited to watch Brooke’s future get even brighter.

2 Season 8: Clay Evans

Clay becomes a part of the show in season 7 and fans love Nathan’s agent. It’s moving watching Clay and Haley’s sister Quinn fall in love. Clay is the best season 8 character thanks to the supernatural plotline involving him and Quinn.

After Katie shoots Clay and Quinn, the two characters are in a coma and dream that they’re together on the beach. Thankfully, they survive. Some parts of One Tree Hill are confusing, including how Clay and Quinn are able to watch themselves and everyone they know in the hospital. But Clay’s love for Quinn and desire to continue being a good, loyal partner and friend and make his dreams come true is inspiring.

1 Season 9: Nathan Scott

Season 9 of One Tree Hill features an intense storyline when Nathan gets kidnapped, and it’s during these dramatic episodes that Nathan’s love for his family really comes through.

In the episode “Danny Boy,” Dan is close to death, and Nathan realizes that he can offer his dad forgiveness and move on from the pain that he caused. By the end of the series, Nathan and Haley are living a blissful family life with their son Jamie and daughter Lydia, and Nathan has finally put his tough family tragedies behind him.

About The Author

Aya Tsintziras
(1742 Articles Published)

Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer who writes about pop culture and TV. She has a Political Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Journalism from Ryerson University. She loves coffee, reading, working out, and watching TV. She lives in Toronto with her husband.

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