Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) is a central character during the first six seasons of "One Tree Hill". He is a sensitive, brooding young man who is known for both his writing talent and his basketball skills. Karen Roe (Moira Kelly), Lucas's mother, raised him alone after his father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson), left her for another woman. Other important people in Lucas's life are his half-brother, Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), and his best friend, Haley James (Bethany Joy Galeotti). He also views his uncle, Keith Scott (Craig Sheffer), as a surrogate father. Lucas spends much of his time on the series being torn between the love of Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) and Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush).
When the show premieres, Lucas is sixteen years old and attends Tree Hill High School in North Carolina. He becomes a member of the school basketball team, whose star player is Nathan. Although Lucas is willing to be friendly, Nathan is not and most of the team members initially follow his lead. Lucas struggles to fit in and gradually develops a positive relationship with his brother. In addition, he undergoes romantic complications when he can't decide between Peyton and her best friend, Brooke.
Lucas spends the next few seasons trying to figure out his feelings for the two girls. In the end, he finally chooses Peyton over Brooke. He also learns that he has a serious heart condition, but keeps playing basketball anyway. After helping his team win the state championship, Lucas suffers a heart attack and retires from the sport. Meanwhile, he gets to know his father better and tries to provide emotional support to his mother. After his Uncle Keith dies in a shooting, he is shocked to learn that his father murdered him. Lucas confronts Dan, who confesses to the crime and goes to prison.
Between seasons four and five, "One Tree Hill" skips ahead four years in time. During this gap, Lucas and Peyton break up and he becomes a best-selling author. His engagement to Lindsey Strauss (Michaela McManus) falls apart when he can't get over his love for Peyton. The two reconcile and learn that Peyton is pregnant. They clash over the fact that carrying the child is a danger to Peyton's life, but decide to work through the situation together. Soon after their lakeside wedding, Peyton goes into labor and gives birth to a daughter named Sawyer Brooke Scott. The family then leaves town together.
Character Overview
Lucas is one of the most popular characters on the show. His romance with Peyton was a favorite of many viewers, and their departure from the series disappointed fans. The pairing of Lucas and Brooke also had a loyal following. Lucas provided voice-overs for most of the episodes and had strong connections to many of the other characters.
Best Quotes
"Truth is still absolute. Believe that. Even when that truth is hard and cold, and more painful than you've ever imagined. And even when truth is more cruel than any lie."
"It's only when you're tested that you truly discover who you are. And it's only when you're tested that you discover who you can be."
"What's more important? What we become, or how we become it?"