At last, the balance in Tree Hill is restored. As The CW's 'One Tree Hill' enters its ninth and final season, the network announced today that one of its original stars will return.

Chad Michael Murray, who played lead Lucas Scott from seasons 1 to 6 of the long-running drama (which originated on The WB in 2003), is heading back to his North Carolina roots for an unspecified number of episodes during 'OTH''s final season.

According to The CW, Murray's Lucas will return to Tree Hill when Haley reaches out to him for help.

No word on whether Hilarie Burton, who played Murray's on-screen wife and baby mama Peyton, will also reprise her role, but TVLine is reporting that it's a no-go. Apparently, after production tried (and failed) to bring her back last season (which was expected to be the show's last), she wasn't invited back this time.

Robert Buckley has slowly but surely been moving up the Hollywood ranks, kicking off his career with a role in MyNetworkTV's nightly drama 'Fashion House' alongside the likes of Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild. But his big break came playing Kim Raver's boy toy Kirby on last year's drama 'Lipstick Jungle.'

Now Buckley is joining 'One Tree Hill' as the show enters its seventh season and loses mainstays Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton. With the Sept. 14 premiere on the horizon, Buckley spoke to AOL TV about the direction the show will take, why he's not comfortable being "the hot guy" and his take on Hollywood cougars. -- By Katy Kroll

It always interests me when a show goes on for years and years even though not many people talk about it. One Tree Hill is a show like that. You always here about CW shows like Gossip Girl, Smallville, and Supernatural, but One Tree Hill is a show that has its rabid fan base too, proving that its not just buzz that's important.

But can the show survive without Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton (who are leaving the show), or are we probably looking at the last season next year anyway?

'One Tree Hill' newlyweds Lucas and Peyton are taking a permanent honeymoon.

Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, whose characters were hitched on Monday's episode, are leaving the show after next week's season finale, reportedly due to failed contract negotiations.

In other news, Fox has renewed 'Lie to Me,' Alanis Morissette is fired up to do some "tasteful nudity" on 'Weeds,' and Starz is going to keep 'Party' going.

See more of today's TV headlines, casting scoops and premiere dates after the jump.

TV Guide is reporting that Veronica Mars just got renewed for a third season. According to creator Rob Thomas, The CW is picking up Mars for 22 episodes, with an agreement that if ratings are bad, it'll drop back to 13 episodes.

Also from TV Guide, word that One Tree Hill is renewed but Everwood is canceled. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

[Thanks to tipsters Ashley & Peter!]

How weird would it be to work on the set of One Tree Hill? Star Chad Michael Murray, his ex-wife Sophia Bush, and his new fiance, 18-year-old Kenzie Dalton, all work together. Murray and Bush play lead roles on the WB nighttime soap, while Dalton plays a cheerleading extra. Murray and Bush married in April of 2005, announced their split in September, and had their marriage annulled in February. But, their characters still make out with each other on One Tree Hill. But, Dalton and Murray have reportedly been dating since December.

At the age of 24, this will be the second marriage for Murray and the first for 18-year old Dalton. We think.