James Lafferty Interview with BuddyTV

Posted on May 5th, 2008 by Amy

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Head on over here for the mp3 of this as well.

I think it was funny he said it’s like Lee Norris is on a different show since I was just saying that…

Sad to hear he thinks it’s too late for him and Dan to reconcile.

Also he confirms the popular season cliffhanger..like Heather said in the comments yesterday, suspense is so overrated!

Hi, this is Don from BuddyTV, and today I’m talking to James Lafferty from One Tree Hill. Now I know that you had the One Tree Hill charity basketball game last weekend. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about that.

Yeah, it was a success. We had a lot of people show up. The past couple years we sold it out, but this year we actually sold more tickets than the past couple years. I think we sold around 1400 tickets or something like that. People showed up from all over the country to support the charity and meet the cast and everything, and we raised a lot of money. It was a success.

That’s great. What was it in support of?

St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Wilmington Family YMCA, here where we shoot.

This season of the show, filming has probably been a little crazy. You’ve had the 100th episode, the writers’ strike, and the story is set four years in the future. What has the vibe been like on the set this year?

It’s been really positive. I think the cast is all really happy with the arcs that their characters are playing, or that we’re playing with the characters. As far as the crew and the overall feel of the show, everyone feels really good about it. We got an early pickup for the sixth season, and everybody’s really happy about that. We’re starting to feel like we’ve had a great run, and it’s gonna continue, and I think we’re gonna end it the right way. It’s been a really positive vibe lately.

At the beginning of the season we got to see Nathan broken down and in a wheelchair and everything. What was it like as an actor to be able to play that?

It was great. It was a challenge, and the kind of challenge that I think every actor sort of waits for and sort of hopes they can step up to when the time comes. It was definitely a challenge for me, but I had a great time doing it. I learned a lot about myself, I think, as an actor, and I think it was great for the character as well. I was really happy when I read the scripts and I saw that it was coming, and I was happy to play it as well.

Another big addition to the show this year has been Jamie, played by Jackson Brundage, who I think is awesome. What’s it been like to work with him?

It’s been awesome. He’s great. He’s every bit as sharp and smart as he looks on TV, and I think he’s actually better in real life. We all have a great time working with him, absolutely.

The show stirred up a little bit of controversy with the fans with the nanny storyline earlier this season. Do you like playing things like that, where Nathan might seem like kind of a bad guy? Or do you shy away from that?

I do like it. I think it adds to the complexity of the character a little bit. Nathan is a guy who I think makes a lot of mistakes, and basically I think that sort of comes from his upbringing, the fact that his parents were constantly making mistakes. He never really had a solid role model growing up, somebody who could tell him to do the right thing. And I think Nathan only recently, in the past six years of his life, is sort of learning how to do the right thing. I think it’s something he struggles with sometimes when he’s faced with a moral dilemma, and it just adds to the fun of playing the character when he makes a poor decision like that.

You’ve had a lot of scenes in recent episodes with Paul Johansson. Do you think that Nathan and Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) will ever forgive Dan and give him a break?

I don’t think so. I think it’s well past. . .I think that Dan’s sort of missed that boat with his two sons. Actually confessing to murdering his brother, I don’t think there’s any coming back from that, especially when the person he murdered was so close to Lucas and Nathan. Before that he might have had a shot, but now he’s going to have a tough time — a really tough time — getting back in touch with his family and his grandson.

Are there any cast members on the show that you wish you had the chance to have more scenes with?

You know, it’s funny, cause I’ve actually said it for years, but my good friend Lee Norris plays Mouth on the show, but sometimes I feel like — shoot, most of the time — I feel like we work on two different shows, because I hardly ever have scenes with the guy. I think it’d be fun to have more scenes with Mouth. The scenes that I have had with him have been funny and cool, and I really enjoy hanging out with him.

Can you give us any hints as to what we can expect to see Nathan doing in the rest of season 5?

I would say just keep watching, because it’s not gonna disappoint. We always end our seasons with some sort of a cliffhanger, and we always throw the fans for a loop. We want to make sure that they’re gonna tune in to the first episode of the next season by coming up with a little surprise, and we definitely have that again in our finale this year. Be watching on Monday, May 19.

When the show eventually comes to an end down the line, where do you think Nathan should end up?

I would like to see Nathan on his way back to restoring his career. I think some people might think that Nathan should sort of try another route and give up on his dreams for basketball, because they might not ever happen. I don’t really think that’s his character, I don’t really think that’s the kind of man he is. I think now that he’s restored the relationship with his wife and his family, I think he’s gonna want to go after his dreams, which I think he should do. I think it’d be great for the character to see him try again.

Is there anything coming up for you during the hiatus? Are you doing anything?

For me? No, not really. I’m just sort of buckling down and I’m gonna get ready to shoot season 6. We’ve got about five weeks off, so I’m gonna enjoy them.

Interviews, James Lafferty/Nathan Scott

36 Responses to “James Lafferty Interview with BuddyTV”

brucasfan Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

I love that he says that he doesnt think they can forgive DAN… hes an ASS….. (okay just the character… cause Paul is awsome)
salma Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

lol i love nathans character alltogether!
Leyton=TLA Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

5 weeks off?? YES!! that means they start shooting again soon wooohooo! bring on season 6 in the fall!!
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

It looks like October will be Season 6 start for us here in Canada.
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

The waiting’S gonna be sooo long! With all the spoilers and James Lafferty just said it that they’ll make sure we watch season 6 first episode… wich means drama and long waiting!
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

You know we are going to watch Season 6 whether or not we know what’s going to happen in the finale. We love the show.
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

I know, I just wanted to say that if they make big drama at the end with things that just hook us up, it will make the waiting harder… Sorry, I just had a really hard time explain it in English in the previous post… and I had a hard time with this post too…! I just mean that, like with season 4 finale, nothing really happen at the end, like it was like they closed something. Wich wasn’t the case with season 2 or 3 with the accidents and letting us with no clue of what would happen. I hope you get what I mean!
Leyton=TLA Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:08 pm

yea a cliffhanger rather then a happy ending!
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Right! Cliffhanger would make it harder to wait than a happy ending… I just didn’t know that word before… now :P!
Leyton=TLA Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:17 pm

hehe definitely know what you mean! like season one and two was Dan dead?? season three were cooper, rachel nathan dead? and season four was all happy
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

Wow! People around me just can’t say I’m loosing my time! I’m learning English! haha! thanks Leyton=TLA
Leyton=TLA Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

wasting my time not loosing haha
you’re welcome love hehe
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Oops that’S true wasting… ! Anyway, I have to go back to work! Thanks again!!
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

That’s too funny. :o)
salma Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

it’ll be good cliffhanger for sure though so i’m happy
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

I guess by ending OTH Season 5 with a cliff hanger, it definately makes it more exciting. Although very frustraing for all of us to wait 5 weeks to find out what happens.
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Let’s hope it is Salma.
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Ok only 5 1/2 hours left to go until tonight’s episode. Yippee!
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

I had a dream last night about the characters on OTH but it wasn’t a good dream. Nathan and Lucas were trying to get away from some gang that were after them. It was weird. I was supposed to protect them and hide them from this gang. I heard a gun shot then I woke up. I hate dreams like that.
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

All this anticipation and reading of spoilers has got my mind all mixed up. lol. Why can’t I dream about Lucas and Nathan taking me out for a nice dinner then going for a nice dip in the swimming pool, flexing their muscles….lol.
Liz Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Ok I better stop going to la la land and get back to reality.
salma Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

lmao LIZ haha ur too funny. it better be!
JM Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

This is going to be good can’t wait.
brucasfan Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

I hate cliffhangers… how you all delt with season ending of season 3 without knowing if it was comming back would have been hard….. this sucks I DONT WANT TO WORK TONIGHT I JUST WANT TO WATCH OTH
Caroline Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

I watch all season last fall… so I didn’t have to wait… It is going to be really hard. And that sucks working on Monday night!
salma Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

only 3 hours!!
Danika Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Man, i wanna watch tonights episode so badly!! but I have to wait, i have soccer
grr.
Danika Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

I don’t think were going to get a season 7.. he said that they’ve had a great run blah blah and they want to end it the right way. So my guess is season 6 is the final season.
What am I going to do sans One Tree Hill? My life will be over!
brucasfan Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

lol no counting down it isnt fair I have to wait an extra HOUR for it… then normal stupid work… I WANT OTH SOOO BADLY.. i neeed BRUCAS

and Danika your life wont be over they will have other shows that suck you in I felt that way when gilmore girls ended and then I discovered OTH
brucasfan Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

but you never know with the cw needing viewer we may get execs convincing them to do ONE MORE SEASON RIGHT>….I mean they cant have all there hit gone next year there is only suppose to be one more of smallville so they cant loose both…
Sarah Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

I love James Lafferty. Nathan is one of my favorite characters. I hope they have a 7th season. I can’t wait for the new episode tonight.
salma Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

oth needs a 7th season…and maybe more i think 10 is a nice number to end with…
Rachel Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Wow. very cool article! I love James. I really am excited for more seasons of the show. What I love is that this isn’t a typical nighttime soap! There is so much more dimension and reality… of sorts. Haha. I just love it!
JM Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Lets try to get though season 5 and some of 6 first. To even think about what would happen in season 7 would be a little to much for me right now. I would be nice if they did go to 10 season though
HKD Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Salma i agree.. 10 is a nice whole number! to end with!
Even if we did get a season 7 i would be soo happy but for right now even getting a season 6 is good for me!
And James lafferty just so talented and HOT!!! and nathan is one of my favourite characters in the show too!
claireabelle Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 11:07 pm

I dont want OTH to ever end!! Lol. All my favourite shows always end too early Thank goodness for DVD’s hey

Glad there’s a 6th season tho, would be very disappointing for it to end where its currently at…