Haley James Scott

played by Bethany Joy Lenz

Peyton Sawyer

played by Hilarie Burton

Brooke Davis

played by Sophia Bush

Haley James Scott is a singer-songwriter and a former high school teacher who grew up in Tree Hill. Haley was Lucas Scott's best friend and sister-in-law, Nathan Scott's wife, and the mother of James Lucas Scott and Lydia Bob Scott. She had displayed extreme loyalty to the people she holds close to her, particularly Lucas, Nathan, Peyton and Brooke, but her first priority was always her family.

Peyton Sawyer is Larry and Anna Sawyer's adopted daughter. She was originally a rebellious cheerleader who first met her husband, Lucas Scott, during their junior year, when she was the girlfriend of the popular jock Nathan Scott, who also happened to be Lucas's half-brother. Peyton struggled through the death of both her biological and adoptive mothers, but overcame the hardship and emerged a stronger woman from it. She was known for her strength and independence.

Brooke Davis is a fashion designer and entrepreneur originated from Tree Hill, North Carolina. The daughter and only child of Robert ("Ted") and Victoria Davis, Brooke is among the original core five characters including herself, childhood best friend and occasional rival Peyton Sawyer, close friend Nathan Scott, on and off-again boyfriend Lucas Scott, and eventual best friend Haley James Scott.

Nathan Scott

played by James Lafferty

Lucas Scott

played by Chad M. Murray

Julian Baker

played by Austin Nichols

Nathan Royal Scott is the only son of Deb Scott, but is the second son of Dan Scott, who had previously impregnated his high school sweetheart, Karen Roe, with their son, Lucas Scott. Nathan was a high school basketball player dreaming of being accepted by his father. He is faced with a challenge as Lucas, his biological half-brother, joins his high school basketball team, The Tree Hill Ravens, and threatens to steal his spot as shooting guard. Later, learning about Lucas' best friend, Haley James, Nathan decides to use Haley to anger Lucas, but eventually ends up falling in love and marrying her. He lives in Tree Hill, North Carolina. Lucas had initially thought of Nathan as a jerk, partly due to the fact that he hadn't been accepted by the Ravens due to Nathan trying to sabotage him as a player. Nathan and Lucas eventually find their love for each other and decide that they are now officially brothers. 

Lucas is the son of Karen Roe and Dan Scott. He was abandoned by his father Dan and was raised by his single mom and paternal uncle Keith Scott. When Lucas joined the varsity Ravens basketball team which his estranged half-brother Nathan Scott was a part of, Nathan began making Lucas' life more difficult every day. Lucas had a passion for basketball and played at the River Court with his friends Skills Taylor , Fergie Thompson, and Junk Moretti, with Mouth McFaddenusually giving commentary . His best friend, Haley James, fell for Nathan which eventually drew Nathan and Lucas to become close companions and, eventually, true brothers.

Julian Andrew Baker was a film Producer who arrived in Tree Hill to create a film adaption of Lucas Scott's first novel, who was unaware of Julian's history with Peyton Sawyer. He eventually revealed an interest in Peyton's best friend, Brooke Davis. When the film's production fell through, he left town for Los Angeles, but Brooke, who had realized and accepted her feelings for him, followed him. Deciding to let him into her life, the two reunited. The two then embarked on a long-distance relationship while he made a new movie, but they eventually reunited in Tree Hill, and got engaged. The couple was later married, and had twin sons, Davis and Jude Baker.