New York: For longtime fans of the early-2000s teen drama One Tree Hill, the closing credits signalled end of an era. But for the show’s cast, something unexpected happened after: the rewatch podcast Drama Queens has become a vehicle not just for nostalgia, but for genuine closure. In an interview with People magazine, stars Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz and Robert Buckley revealed that revisiting their time on the show via the podcast gave them “much more” emotional resolution than the original series finale ever did.
Here’s what’s going on, why it matters for podcast lovers and TV-show fans, and what it tells us about the power of rewatch culture and podcasting.
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What is Drama Queens and how did it start?
The podcast Drama Queens, launched in 2021 under the iHeartRadio banner, brings together key cast members of One Tree Hill to rewatch each episode of the show, share behind-the-scenes memories, and reflect on their personal journeys.
Originally hosted by Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz and Hilarie Burton (who played Peyton Sawyer), the show later welcomed Robert Buckley (who joined One Tree Hill in its later seasons) after Burton exited the podcast.
Why did they do it?
- It offered the cast a chance to revisit a beloved yet complex period of their lives — both as performers on a long-running show, and as young actors whose personal and professional lives were intertwined with the series.
- It allowed for candid conversation about what went wrong (mistreatment, power dynamics, trauma) and what went right (friendships, creative growth, the show’s legacy).
- For fans, it offered deeper context, insider stories, and a communal way to relive (and reinterpret) the show.
Why the podcast feels more complete than the original finale
In the People interview, Bush, Lenz and Buckley emphasise that the original series ending of One Tree Hill didn’t truly feel like closure for them. Lenz notes it “felt very much open-ended… it didn’t close things out in a way that felt like it gave you closure.”
Buckley adds that during the show’s wrap-up, they were in “a whirlwind” — packing up sets, saying goodbye to characters, moving on to the next job — and didn’t have time to sit with the experience. In contrast, the podcast allowed them to revisit episodes slowly, reflect in depth, discuss what they learned, and “enjoy the show one episode a week… and then talk with the others about it.”
Sophia Bush calls the podcast a process of “reclaiming” the show:
“For us, the clarity that you get with time, with distance, in hindsight, we’ve been able to come back to this in this really gorgeous way… and I remember saying early … the experience of this has really been the coolest process of being able to reclaim everything so special and also like throw out the garbage of anything that wasn’t.”
The podcast became a second chance to process the show and their experiences on their own terms.
What this means for fans & the wider podcast ecosystem
For Fans of the Show:
- It gives deeper insight and an emotional “after-the-credits” moment — fans not only relive the show but connect with the hosts’ reflections and growth.
- It creates a sense of community: fans and hosts are on a similar journey of remembering, rethinking, and healing.
- It renews interest in the show (and potentially introduces it to new audiences) via the podcast’s lens.
For Podcast Creators & Listeners:
- This is a strong example of how rewatch podcasts can go beyond recaps and become meaningful reflections on media, culture, and personal growth.
- It shows the value of time + distance for both creators and audiences — engaging with content years later can open new conversations and insights.
- It speaks to the power of sharing vulnerability: the hosts don’t just talk about episodes, they discuss mistreatment, growth, and legacy. That deepens listener connection.
The cast’s broader journey & why it resonates
A few key threads stand out:
- On-set trauma and reclamation: The hosts have openly spoken about the environment they worked in — including allegations of mistreatment on the show by its creator. Bush says that without this podcast, they might never have held on to “everything that was wonderful… take out the trash and just keep the gold.”
- Time gives new perspective: Many cast members needed years to process what they experienced. Lenz shares that she now looks back on her time with “a lot of joy and a lot of peace and a lot of sentimentality and nostalgia.”
- Legacy of the show: The podcast also highlights how the show continues to matter — with fans who watched as teens now bringing kids along. “It’s being passed down from generation to generation, and that’s wild to me,” Buckley said.
- Live events & endings: As the podcast approaches a wrap-up event in Wilmington (NC) — where the show was filmed — the cast are acknowledging that this isn’t really “goodbye”. Lenz: “It won’t feel so much like a quote-unquote finale as it just will another piece of the never-ending puzzle.”
What’s next — and why you should tune in
- Whether you were a fan of One Tree Hill, curious about how rewatch podcasts evolve, or love behind-the-scenes creator/actor stories — Drama Queens is a great dive into all of that.
- The podcast wrap event in Wilmington signals a milestone moment: both a celebration and a “moving forward” for cast and fans alike.
- While a formal series revival hasn’t been confirmed, the cast note they still keep walking back into “Tree Hill” in different ways — and that the podcast has helped them reclaim the story for themselves and the fans.
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If you’d like, I can pull out 5 key episodes of Drama Queens that are must-listens (especially if you watch One Tree Hill) and summarize what each reveals about the show, the cast, and the podcasting trend. Would you like that?
