Jeyton is the hill to die on.
Forget Lucas Scott, “One Tree Hill” alum Bryan Greenberg wanted Jake Jagielski and Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) to end up together.
“Of course I did,” Greenberg, 45, told the Post without missing a beat.
Starting in Season 1, Greenberg’s Jake fell for Peyton, who babysat his daughter, Jenny — whom he shared with his estranged ex-girlfriend, Nicki (Emmanuelle Vaugier).
Bryan Greenberg and Hilarie Burton in “One Tree Hill” in 2003. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett CollectionFans nicknamed the couple Jeyton and were heartbroken when Peyton realized that her heart was really with Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) in Season 3, resulting in Greenberg’s departure from the show.
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Although he only appeared in a few seasons, Greenberg says “One Tree Hill” continues to be his fans’ most beloved role.
“That’s what’s so crazy about it to me. I’ve done all these things in my career. I did three seasons of ‘One Tree Hill,’ and I feel like that’s the one that people really latch on to.” You know what? “
“I’m grateful,” he continued. “It was amazing. I had so much fun on that project.”
Bryan Greenberg attends the 2024 People’s Choice Awards on Feb. 18. Getty ImagesGreenberg continued, “I just feel like the writers really wrote for me, and it was such an amazing character. A single father in high school who loves his kid. … He played guitar and was a perfect character. Of course, you fell in love with him. I think I was the receiver of a very fortunate writing circumstance.”
The teen drama also starred Bethany Joy Lenz, James Lafferty, Lee Norris, Paul Johansson, Antwon Tanner and Sophia Bush. The latter recently reunited with Greenberg for his directorial and film writing debut, “Junction.”
Years later in 2007, Greenberg portrayed Nick Garrett in the ABC drama “October Road,” which was canceled after two seasons. Laura Prepon, Warren Christie, Geoff Stults, Tom Berenger and Rebecca Field co-starred, and Greenberg still wonders why it wasn’t renewed for a third season.
(Left to right) Bryan Greenberg, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, and Chad Michael Murray of “One Tree Hill.” FilmMagic“I am the actor. I don’t have any control. Of course I want to keep working on these jobs. They’re amazing projects,” he told The Post.
“I don’t know why [it ended], to be honest, I don’t know. I don’t know why I’m out of a lot of things. But I’m just grateful that I got a chance to play these characters — that people still like them all these years later. ‘October’ was really special.”
He added: “I have to go back and watch that as well.”
Greenberg would go on to star in the HBO comedy-drama “How to Make It in America” for two seasons in 2010-2011. The show followed friends Ben and Cameron (Victor Rasuk) who launch a fashion company in New York City.
Greenberg in 2024’s “Junction.” Courtesy Everett Collection Greenberg made his directorial debut with “Junction.” VMI ReleasingGreenberg thinks the series was ultimately canceled because it was ahead of its time.
“I just feel like that show is more current now than it was then,” he explained. “I feel like it was too early. People weren’t really ready for it and they didn’t know what it was when it was happening. The fan base got it, I think the culture at large got it. They do now, I think.”
He added, “Men’s fashion wasn’t even a thing then. Now it’s everywhere.”
