After six-plus months, I finally finished watching One Tree Hill for the first time. Seasons 1 and 2 were slow, but they hit the ground running once it got to seasons 3-5. It was seasons 6-9 where I started dragging my feet, but now I understand why everyone hated those later seasons. I could write all about it, but that’s for a different blog post.

New and old characters rotate in and out of the main picture throughout the nine seasons, with a few remaining consistent. (Hello, Brooke, Haley, and Nathan) With so many characters, there were some favorites and not-so-favorites. It was hard to keep track since some were only in for a few seasons, but I worked with anyone who stayed top of mind when you think of One Tree Hill.

Now, let’s get into this possibly controversial list. 

Brooke Davis

NO NOTES. Brooke remained consistent throughout every season and had one of the best story arcs. She was one of the main characters with so much depth and the one I kept cheering on. She cared endlessly for her friends and family. I would have loved to have a Brooke in my corner.

Haley James Scott

Another consistent character. Haley James never really had anything controversial happen to her other than her annoying stint in season 2 with Chris Keller, but hey, they had to throw SOME riff between Naley. But alas, she made it through and exemplified what it looks like to be an incredible mom who can seemly do it all.

Whitey Durham 

UGH, I was so heartbroken when we stopped seeing more of Whitey after everyone graduated. He was the old soul that everyone relied on. The Mr. Feeney of the show, if you will. He looked out for each kid as if they were his own. 

Skills Taylor

Yes, Skills is that high because he was the LEAST controversial person on the show. He was always the go-to friend people could turn to for anything. He’s that one friend you have who you know will always be there no matter what. Plus, his scenes and lines were always hilarious. 

Nathan Scott

Okay, admittedly, he was annoying in the first few episodes when we were discovering the rough ties between the two Scotts, but ever since he met Haley James and they started a family, wow, he knew how to make me swoon. He was head over heels in love with Haley and did nothing to make her question it (even though there were “almost” moments!) His growth from season 1 – 9 is highly positive. He had the “pissed off, I could do everything” persona in season 1 to a full-grown ADULT in season 9. 

Keith Scott

GONE TOO SOON IN THE SHOW. I was so upset to see Keith go, but he was the throughline every season until season 9. Similar to Whitey, he was the dad you didn’t know you needed. I wanted him and Karen to end up together so badly. 

Quentin Fields

THIS ONE HURTS, TOO. Quentin had a similar starting arc as Nathan: the too-good-for-this persona, but to see him prevail and get closer to Jamie along the way? It was the character you were rooting for and ultimately cried endlessly for. 

Mouth McFadden

Mouth is a lot like Skills, in a way. The friend that was always in the back but there to fight with or for you when the time comes. 

Jake Jagielski

You didn’t think I was going to put Jake, did you? He was a massive part of the season 1 and 2 series, plus part of Peyton’s storyline. He had his head under the covers, never tried to bring attention to himself, and remained loyal. I’m still upset they wrote him off the show. He would’ve had potential in Tree Hill. 

Julian Baker

Julian had his ups and downs when he first came to Tree Hill, but the way he takes care of our girl, Brooke? We could never thank him enough. 

Deb Scott

Deb Scott may be a controversial pick, but I will keep saying this: Her character growth from a drug addict to a funny grandma had me laughing so hard. Although she came out on top at the end of the day, her simple presence was too good. 

Karen Roe

Seeing Karen this low on the list might shock people, but I’m sorry. As much as I liked her as Lucas’ mom, was she wasn’t the most incredible mom? She tried her best but didn’t do much for me. I’m sorry. 

Lucas Scott

It’s funny to see another one of the main characters in the earlier seasons so low. Still, hey, Lucas was an idiot for creating the unnecessary, stupid love triangle. He was too much a simp for me for my taste. In every other episode, it seemed like he was in love with someone else or trying to figure out how to love Peyton. 

Peyton Sawyer

To be honest, I was annoyed with Peyton right from episode one. She made me furious in so many episodes because she could be helpless. I appreciated her subtle strength in the later seasons, but she was never the strongest.

Millie Huxtable 

See, Millie would have been way higher up this list if she hadn’t gone through the drug addiction storyline and betrayed her friends, AKA Brooke, who gave her everything in her life. I hated that they made her go that route, changing her identity. Shout out to Mouth for turning her around. 

Quinn James and Clayton Evans

I don’t love or hate Quinn and Clay, which is why they’re together and in the middle of the list. At first, I was against them joining the main cast when Peyton and Lucas left the series, but they were delightful plots. Clay forgetting his son? Quinn… getting that pastry song stuck in my head? Quinn was a little like Skills and Mouth. She was always down to support her sister whenever she needed. 

Chase Adams

I’d go far enough to say I’d throw Chase on the same line as Quinn and Clay. His appearance and consistency throughout the later seasons really threw me off, but he prevailed at the end of season 9 with his relationship with Chuck. I still find it hilarious that it’s literally Stephen Colletti from Laguna Beach. I hoped he’d be terrible, but he wasn’t that bad!!!! 

Victoria Davis

I have a love-hate relationship with Victoria since she put Brooke through a living hell during her teenage years and Clothes Before Bros. I almost didn’t believe her when she changed her tone and showed emotion for her child, but Victoria and Brooke’s banter/relationship proved so much better once that switch flipped. 

Dan Scott

Are you surprised not to see Dan dead last on this list? Me too. Look, Dan was a terrible dad—we cannot argue there. But his journey towards redemption was an insane one. You have to admit Dan went through A lot. Remember when a dog literally ate his heart? I found it weird that he was obviously missing from seasons 7 and 8, but his closure in season 9 in “Danny Boy” remarkably represented his journey in Tree Hill. 

Owen Morello

I really liked Owen for Brooke! His actions made sense, but his in-and-out appearance in the show withered away in my head. If only he had stuck around. 

Mia Catalano

Mia was another one of those characters who dipped in and out. She was funny and had a great voice, but she brought only a little besides confusing Chase. 

Alex Dupre

Oy, Alex’s first appearance and a few storylines irked the hell out of me. They had her doing wild things, and the whole “please love me, Julian” bit ran too long. She did get better near the end, but too bad we couldn’t see more of her since she dipped all of season 9. 

Bevin Mirskey

I had to include Bevin because she was there during the series finale, which was such a choice. Bevin needed to be more consistent, and she always showed up in the randomest areas. 

Jamie Scott

I’m so sorry to put a kid near the end of the list. Jamie was just a boy. He didn’t do much other than be a smart alec and a good sidekick following the adults around. 

Chris Keller

GAH, I hate Chris Keller with a burning passion. Wait, no. Let me rephrase that: Ashley hates Chris Keller with a burning passion. I hated the way he referred to himself in the third person, how he womanized everyone, and how he sometimes had a sweet spot but then turned to be a douche 2 seconds later. I can’t tell you how furious I was to see him return for season 9. We didn’t need him! 

Rachel Gatina

But there’s someone I wouldn’t say I like more than Chris Keller: Rachel Gatina. Oh, she was such a bitch. She was the epitome of a mean girl. She was the tornado-like friend who came in and ruined everything. There was no character growth or hope for her. I’m glad she disappeared into the darkness after Dan left her with nothing. She deserved it. 

All nine seasons of One Tree Hill are streaming on Hulu.