When we think of the CW's One Tree Hill one of the first names to instantly pop into our minds is without a doubt James Lafferty. Since its premiere in 2003 Lafferty has been at the heart and core of One Tree Hill with his role as Nathan Scott. Eight years later and he is still its leading man, and as he told me during our recent chat his experience on One Tree Hill has been an immensely valuable one. Both on and off-screen Lafferty has literally grown into the adult he is now through his years on the show.
During our interview we talked about why he thinks One Tree Hill is still going strong after eight seasons, what have been the most challenging and exciting moments of playing Nathan for him; as well as what his view is on Nathan no longer playing basketball-which was shown to be the character's main passion since day one. Lafferty also reveals all on his recent Wild Life adventures in Florida and answers the one question he's always wanted to but has never been asked until now!
So you just got back from Florida where you filmed a documentary for Wild Life TV.
James- We were down there for seven days. Just traveled throughout Southern Florida and just sort of hitting all the national parks. We went to Crystal River, where there's a really high concentration of manatees. We just basically took seven days and crammed as much of the natural experience as we could have in Florida in seven days and documented the entire thing.
How did the idea to do the documentary come about? I know your co-star Stephen Colletti was one of the people with you on it.
James- Stuart, my little brother, and I had been friends with Ian Shive for a few years now. Stephen was acquainted with him. We all wanted to do something after the show wrapped this season, sort of get out there and stretch our legs. We knew Ian was a really prolific wild life photographer and he had this idea that he could sort of take us around and document the experience. And it could be relatable to the younger generation who may not be as aware of all the experiences you could have not so close to home and in different places in this country. We just kind of chose Florida at random because none of us aside from Ian had experienced that climate before. And we were all really excited to go out there and experience things like swimming with manatees, and getting up close to alligators and canoing to the man grove. Camping out on marsh land.
What was the experience or moment that stood out most for you guys from the week?
James- I think we all had our special moments on the trip, but I think for me canoing through the man groves out there in the national park was a pretty special experience because, I've been canoing before and I've been out in the wilderness before, but I had never canoed literally five miles into the middle of what just feels like and looks like just jungle for as far as the eye can see. You literally can't hear a highway in the distance. You don't come in contacts with other people and you really realize that you're sort of at the mercy of nature and its element. It's a really peaceful feeling and it's also an eye-opener because it's not that often, that I know myself personally, it's not that often that I allow myself to have that experience. It was cool. It was something that made me want to go back.
It sounds really interesting! And April 18th is when people can start watching on the generation wild life blog?
James- April 18th is when the preview is going to go up on the blog. So it will be the first time we've shown any video content and documentation of what we've done. Thus far it's just been pictures of the journey. As we continue putting up the presentation of the actual episode, we're going to be continuing to put up preview video clips and pictures as well.
Moving on to One Tree Hill, since you've been on the show since day one, I want to ask you what you think it is about it that has kept it on the air for eight years? Why do you think it's been so successful?
James- I think it's the way the show really has stayed true to its characters. Mark Schwahn is such a hands-on show-runner. And he really makes sure that the characters that he writes, the ones that have been around since day one, are really true to all the elements that make them who they are and that made them who they are all the way throughout. I think that each one of those characters has really stayed true to its core. We've stayed at the core and the fans have stayed with us because they know that we're not going to stray from the past of who our characters truly are. Story-wise, we go off on sort of the craziest tangents. Our show has become known for wild things happening, but at the heart of all that are the same characters and the same people. And those are the people that audiences fell in love with initially and they can allow themselves to stay in love with those characters because they're still there.
And I also think the show has done well with all the changes it has had. There have been a few cast changes. But it's worked. From what I see when I tweet I'm interviewing one of the newer cast members, they've definitely secured a large fan-base. Viewers are interested in them. I think the chemistry with you and Rob Buckley is great. As is it with with Bethany Joy Galeotti and Shantel Van Santen, as well as with everyone else. I think the newer cast members have meshed really well into the show and story-lines with everyone.
James- Yeah, we've had a couple cast changes in the past. Characters have come and gone. We've tried things that haven't worked, that the fans haven't liked. But I think more often than not, the major changes with the cast and the story, they end up working for the audience. And you know after we came back for the seventh and eighth season, we didn't know how the fans would react to the show post Hillary [Burton] and Chad [Michael Murray]. Peyton and Lucas. But they really did embrace the new characters. They embraced Clay and Quinn. They embrace them as a couple. And I think that the entire cast has done a really good job of keeping the integrity of the show while going through those changes. And so have Mark and the writers. None of it has just been kind of slapped together. It's all been very well thought out. Very well pre-mediated. And we've put a lot of hard work into making sure the show still works despite whatever changes we've been forced to make.
What's your take on Nathan having to leave the NBA and become an agent? Last time we spoke in season seven you told me you were looking forward to exploring the whole NBA storyline with Nathan. What was your reaction when Mark told you basketball was ending for Nathan? Basketball has been such a major part of the character.
James- It was disappointing for sure but it was out of our hands. We had explored every angle of Nathan's basketball career outside of the NBA I think in every way that we could have. For one reason or another, our business relationship couldn't mesh that well with the NBA and so the prospect of that fell through for Nathan because logistically it just wasn't working out. And so I mean I was disappointed, but at the same time I knew that it was just one of those situations where we were just going to have to adapt. We were going to have to make something work and I was excited about that. The idea of having Nathan sort of get back to the basics and get back to school, decide that he wants to become a sports agent and be able to spend more time with his son and his wife at home. Those things appeal to me as well because they are what's at the heart of the character. Nathan is truly a family man. As competitive and as successful as he's been as a basketball player, he knows that at a certain point it's time for him to get back to his family. And so he's been able to do that this past season. And I think the fans have enjoyed it.
In the last new episode, we know Nathan found out that Ian was the drunk driver, who almost got Jamie killed. I know you can't give away too much but what can you say about what's happening with that? And how it's going to change the dynamic? Because Ian did already sign his contract.
James- I think the fans would be correct in expecting some sort of confrontation. But I think that they'll be surprised as to what actually happens. As to what actually goes down. It's going to be entertaining and satisfying as well.
In everything that you have done with Nathan, is there a storyline that stands out to you with him? One that's been the most challenging? Or the most fun?
James- There's been a few challenges throughout Nathan's entire character over the years. I've always loved playing Nathan's struggle with his relationship with his father and his family. The family issues. Those have always been a challenge for me because it's so far from what I come from with my family. I really enjoyed that. There's a lot to work with there as an actor. And I think in terms of having a good time, the entire Slam-ball arc was honestly probably the most fun I've ever had so far in my life. Just learning how to play that sport, getting out there on the trampolines and working with all those guys that have played the sport for so long. It's not very often that you get to go out there and do that. Unless I play Slam-ball again, I really don't think I'll ever experience something like that again. So I just feel really grateful that I got to experience that at least once in my life.
You mentioned the family stuff, obviously Nathan and Dan have had a very complex relationship throughout the seasons. What can you say about what's happening with that for the remainder of this season?
James- There's definitely some things that are unresolved between Nathan and Dan. Even though Nathan has severed communication with his father, he still thinks about him a lot. And he still feels a certain amount of guilt that Dan can't be a part of the Scott family union, of Nathan and Haley and Jamie and the baby that's coming. I think it's going to bring up all these feelings in Nathan of sort of wishing that he could have a father around. That his kids could have a grandfather. But whether or not that actually brings Dan back around, that remains to seen.
Having been on One Tree Hill for eight years, what has been the most valuable thing you've learned from this experience? When it all ends, what will you take away with you?
James- I think if the show had gone one, two, maybe three seasons I think I would be able to pick out a few specific things. It's impossible to narrow it down because my entire adult life to date has been on the show. So there's things you learn in life. And there's things you learn professionally, career wise. It's been my first eight years of adulthood. It's difficult to put into words. I've literally learned everything from the show. There's still so much for me to learn but I just take away a level of experience from the show that a lot of people my age I don't think have had the fortune of gaining. And so I'm just grateful for the entire experience all together.
Would you like to direct more in the future? I know you got a chance to direct a few times on One Tree Hill.
James- Yes, absolutely. That's another stage of my career that I'm really looking forward to. I'm looking forward to putting together a few projects and building them from the ground up and attacking that as well. There's so many different ways that I want to go in my career that I just have to choose a path and focus on it. But I really think that's part of the fun at this point.
What would be a dream role you would love to explore after One Tree Hill?
James- I say there are several. (Laughs) I'd really love to do something really, really character-driven. And something much different than from what I've been doing on the show. It's a pretty cliché answer, but I think anybody coming from the same situation that I am, would really want to get out and try something new as an actor. And challenge themselves. So I say my dream role would really be anything that challenged me to be something that I'm not.
I know that you are involved in giving back a lot. You did the charity basketball games in Wilmington for a few years as well as few other fund-raisers. You always seem very grounded.
James- I think everybody has a little bit of it in them. I've actually slacked off a little bit in the charitable area in the last couple years of my life. There's just been so many things that have been going on. It's something that I really want to get back to because for five years we had that charity basketball game and it felt good to give back to people. It felt good to get in touch with the fans and thank the community in person. And that's something that I need to take with me for the rest of my life where ever I go. And again I think it's something that everybody sort of has in them. We all have to find the time to exercise that because it's important. It's important to be thankful and when you're in a fortunate position, it's important to be able to reach out to people.
I asked some of your co-stars this, and I want to ask you as well, what is the one question you've never been asked that you've always wanted to answer?
James- I don't think anybody has ever asked me what my favorite video game was. And I think every dude at some point in life likes to talk about their video game experience. It's a part of every young man's life! And I would have to say the answer to that question is that the most complete game ever made has got to be Pac-Man. For so many reasons!
Do you still play it?
James- Yes! Every time I get around a machine, every chance I have I'll put a couple quarters in and pay homage. Devote a little bit of my time to Pac-Man. Get back to my roots.
Is there anything else you would like to talk about James?
James- I want to definitely thank the fans for all their support over the years. All of the cast and Mark, we thanked the fans in the past, but I don't really ever think we can thank them enough for what they've given us. I just hope that we've given back as much as they've given us. I also want to thank the fans that have come from the show and our fan base to come out and support on Twitter and on our blog the Wild Life project of the generation wild life, that my brother and Stephen and Ian Shive are all doing. Because it's something that's really important to us and it's something that we definitely want to expand on and we can't do that unless we have the fans that are interested and that are supportive. So we just want to thank them as well!
James Lafferty is Currently on Twitter with @WildLife_TV where you can follow all his wild life Florida adventures!
Follow me on Twitter @Meriamb
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