If ever there was a WB role that suited Chad Michael Murray best, it's that of broody-boy Lucas in One Tree Hill. Just like Lucas, The Chad (the nickname his friends down in Wilmington gave him back in the day when he played Charlie on Dawson's) often felt like an outcast in high school. In those days, Murray's claims to fame were unrequited crushes and football. "This guy is a lot like me," admits Murray, who, in his current gig, adores Peyton, his half-brother and arch enemy's girlfriend.

My character: "Grew up the hard way. His father abandoned him, and for most of his life it's just been Lucas and his mother living in the ghetto. The way he survived was by playing ball with his friends."

One Tree Hill is about: "Lucas coming to terms with his half-brother. Unlike my character, Nathan grew up wealthy. He has everything. He's the popular guy and he is the star of the high school basketball team. Lucas has to confront his past and the present when he joins the team. Basically, basketball is the catalyst for the show."

I relate to Lucas because: "In high school, I was the nerd, man. I had no friends. It was terrible. It's so weird because now when I go back home, all these kids who used to pick on me want to be my friend."

Making the switch from football to basketball was: "Incredibly hard. I've always been a big football player. To be honest, I suck at basketball. Or, I did. Now, I've advanced to mediocre. I am very grateful for my stunt double. He is a good, good man!"

And then, there's the problem with "the girl": "Lucas is stuck on Peyton. The problem is Peyton has a boyfriend, who also happens to be Nathan, his half brother. But Lucas can't help himself. The thing is, Peyton puts on this front as the happy girl, but Lucas sees right through that. He can see she's putting on a front and he wants to know what's beneath that. That's what has him going, not to mention... she is beautiful!"