One Tree Hill

Other than pining over Lucas for numerous episodes, Peyton had absolutely nothing to do during season 5 of One Tree Hill.  However, Monday night's season finale hinted at an upcoming plot line for her character that may actually be interesting.  While on the phone with Mia, Peyton (Hilarie Burton) discovered that the singer had run into a man claiming to know her deceased birth mother, Ellie.  One Tree Hill has never given us any significant information about Peyton's biological father, but if this hint is to be believed, he may finally be appearing next season.

After watching One Tree Hill for five seasons, I've come up with a few actors who would be perfect choices to play Peyton's long last daddy.  Let the fantasy casting begin!

D.B. Sweeney



You probably remember D.B. Sweeney as the cocky hunk who starred alongside One Tree Hill star Moira Kelly in The Cutting Edge.  No offense to the Sweenster, but his hunky days are long behind him, and he now looks more like a TV dad than ever.  He even played the role to perfection on ABC's late, not-so-great teen drama Life As We Know It.

Considering her family history, there's a strong possibility that Peyton's dad could be a recovering drug addict.  Sweeney would be great at playing the tough, brooding father who is trying to put his scandalous past behind him.  Even better, he could reunite on screen with Kelly and drop a Cutting Edge reference! 

Andrew Divoff



Here's a very strange piece of information to digest: One Tree Hill has featured two different stars of the Wishmaster horror film franchise.  Michael Trucco, who played Cooper Lee, and Paul Johansson have both starred in straight-to-DVD Wishmaster sequels.  Why not continue the tradition by having the Wishmaster himself, Andrew Divoff, play Peyton's father?

If you haven't seen any entries in that awesome horror franchise, you may recognize Divoff from his role as Mikhail Bakunin on Lost.  Divoff tends to play very sinister characters, so he'd bring a darker, more dangerous edge to the role.  Perhaps Peyton's dad could be a shady drug dealer who brings fresh trouble into her life.  At least that would give her something to worry about aside from Lucas and his indecisiveness.

Enrico Colantoni



I'll forever be a fan of Enrico Colantoni for his stellar work as Veronica's dad on Veronica Mars.  Even when that show completely flew off the rails, Keith Mars remained an awesome, grounded character.  Colantoni has Flashpoint premiering on CBS this summer, but assuming that gets canceled, I'd love to see him play another fatherly role on One Tree Hill.

If Colantoni played Peyton's dad, I'd imagine him being kinder and more down to earth than either Sweeney or Divoff.  Maybe I'd drop that whole drug addict idea, and just allow Peyton's father to be a decent guy who made some big mistakes in his past.

David Sutcliffe



I'm aware that a lot of girls watch One Tree Hill, so I feel the need to present someone who's less of a character actor and more of a DILF.  Sutcliffe already gained experience playing a deadbeat dad during his long stint on Gilmore Girls, and since then he hasn't done much except appear on a couple episodes of Private Practice.  I wouldn't wish that fate on anybody, so creator Mark Schwahn should snatch Sutcliffe up as soon as possible.

If Sutcliffe played Peyton's father, I think he could combine the friendliness of a Colantoni with the darkness of a Divoff or Sweeney.  He could be a doting dad by day, and a shady drug dealer by night!  Of course Peyton would find out about his secret method of paying the bills, and then all sorts of enjoyable drama would begin.

These are just a few of the actors who could successfully play Peyton's long lost dad.  Who do you think should land the role?


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Images courtesy of the CW, IMDB)