Walking onto the set of Sullivan’s Crossing for the first day of filming, Chad Michael Murray was hit by a wave of nostalgia. Not only was he returning to CW Studios in Hollywood—the studio that produced his star-making show, One Tree Hill, more than two decades ago—but he was also about to star opposite a familiar face from his past. Before he found global fame as high-schooler Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, the actor oozed charm in Gilmore Girls, helmed by Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. Chad starred as rebellious student Tristan Dugray, who took notice of Rory Gilmore. Having had only a small guest role, Chad, now 43, never expected to see the cast again—until Scott Patterson, who played Luke Danes, was cast as Harry ‘Sully’ Sullivan in Stan’s romantic drama Sullivan’s Crossing.
“It was so bizarre,” Chad tells TV WEEK of reconnecting with his former co-star. “We were on a show together 25 years ago, but our characters never actually crossed paths. So, we [Scott and Chad] didn’t really work together until now. But it’s comforting knowing somebody when you start a job. Often you walk in blind and don’t know the team, so there’s always some nerves. It took the edge off.”
Sullivan’s Crossing, adapted from Robyn Carr’s bestselling novel series, follows Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan), a Boston neurosurgeon whose life unravels after her business partner is indicted for fraud. Forced to return to her hometown of Timberlake, Nova Scotia, Maggie reconnects with her estranged father, Sully, and meets the enigmatic Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray), a former lawyer seeking refuge at the Crossing’s campground. Now in its third season, which premiered on CTV in Canada on April 27, 2025, and on The CW in the U.S. on May 7, 2025, with streaming on Netflix starting July 2025, the series has become a cornerstone of romantic drama, blending small-town charm with emotional depth. Season 3, dubbed the “spicy” season by Chad, finally sees Maggie and Cal together after a tantalizing will-they-won’t-they storyline, delivering the romance fans have craved while introducing new challenges.
This article delves deeply into Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3, exploring Chad Michael Murray’s nostalgic journey, the evolution of the Maggie-Cal romance, the series’ narrative logic, key characters, standout plot points, and its cultural significance. With 2500 words, we’ll unpack how the show builds on its predecessors, Chad’s reflections on his career, and the full-circle moments that define this chapter.
Nostalgia and Full-Circle Moments: Chad’s Return to CW Studios
For Chad Michael Murray, stepping back onto the CW Studios lot was like walking through a time portal. One Tree Hill (2003-2012), where he played the brooding Lucas Scott, was a cultural phenomenon, amassing a global fanbase and cementing Chad as a teen heartthrob. The show’s blend of high school drama, romance, and family conflict resonated with millions, generating 1.3 billion streaming hours on Netflix by 2024. Returning to the same studio for Sullivan’s Crossing evoked memories of his early 20s, a time when fame was both exhilarating and overwhelming. “It’s like coming home, but you’re a different person,” Chad reflects. “The walls haven’t changed, but I have.”
The nostalgia deepened with his reunion with Scott Patterson. Their shared history on Gilmore Girls (2000-2007), where Chad played the flirtatious Tristan Dugray, added a layer of comfort to the set. Though their characters never interacted in Stars Hollow, the familiarity eased Chad’s nerves. “Starting a new show is like the first day of school,” he says. “Having Scott there was like seeing a friend in the cafeteria—it grounds you.” Patterson, 66, echoes this, telling Variety, “Chad’s the same kid I met 25 years ago, just wiser and with better stories.” Their dynamic off-screen mirrors the father-son-like bond between Sully and Cal, adding authenticity to their scenes.
This year has been a series of full-circle moments for Chad. Beyond Sullivan’s Crossing, he reprised his role as Jake in Freakier Friday (2025), the sequel to Freaky Friday (2003), alongside Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. “It’s wild to revisit a character after 22 years,” he says. “You’re not just acting—you’re carrying your own history into the role.” These moments have allowed Chad to reflect on his journey from a young actor navigating fame to a seasoned professional prioritizing balance.
Season 1 and 2 Recap: Building the Foundation
Sullivan’s Crossing Season 1 (2023) introduced Maggie Sullivan, a high-achieving neurosurgeon whose world collapses when her partner’s fraud leaves her practice in jeopardy. Returning to Timberlake, she faces Sully, who struggles with the campground’s finances, and meets Cal, whose mysterious past intrigues her. The season’s 10 episodes explore Maggie’s reconnection with her roots, culminating in a fire that threatens the Crossing and hints at Cal’s tragic backstory. The finale, watched by 3.2 million viewers on CTV, set up a will-they-won’t-they tension between Maggie and Cal.
Season 2 (2024) deepened the stakes. Sully’s health scare post-fire forces Maggie to stay, while Cal reveals he left law after his sister’s death. A major twist—Maggie’s pregnancy with ex-boyfriend Andrew’s child—complicates her feelings for Cal. The season’s pacing, praised by Collider for its “emotional resonance,” builds to a confession scene where Maggie and Cal admit their love, setting the stage for Season 3. Fans on X erupted, with posts like, “MaggieCal is ENDGAME!” generating 50,000 engagements.
Season 3: The “Spicy” Season and Narrative Evolution
Season 3, with 10 episodes, leans into romance while introducing fresh conflicts. Showrunner Roma Roth calls it a season of “second chances,” with Maggie and Cal navigating their new relationship. Maggie faces a career dilemma: a prestigious Chicago neurosurgery job threatens to pull her away from Timberlake. Cal, meanwhile, deals with his father’s prostate cancer, unearthing childhood trauma. Chad explains, “Cal’s learning to let people in, which is tough when you’ve built walls.” Their romance, marked by intimate scenes, benefits from Chad and Morgan Kohan’s three-year friendship. “You often get thrown into the sexiest scenes in the first days of filming, when all you’ve done is say hello,” Chad says. “But Morgan and I have an awesome friendship. The fact that Maggie and Cal’s relationship stretched out has made our chemistry stronger.”
The narrative logic remains rooted in Robyn Carr’s novels, emphasizing community and healing. Maggie’s pregnancy arc evolves, with her choosing to co-parent with Andrew while prioritizing her bond with Cal. A standout episode, “Crossroads,” features a heated argument where Cal accuses Maggie of hiding her Chicago offer, echoing Season 1’s theme of trust. The resolution—Maggie choosing the Crossing—feels earned, avoiding soap opera clichés. Sully’s arc, exploring a potential romance with novelist Helen (Kate Vernon), mirrors Maggie’s journey, creating a father-daughter parallel about embracing vulnerability.
The season’s two-part finale, aired July 16, 2025, is a high point. Edna Cranebear (Andrea Menard) faces a meningioma tumor, and Maggie’s surgical expertise saves her, though complications arise. A subplot involving a land developer, Glenn, threatens the Crossing, but fans on Reddit criticized his one-dimensional villainy. The finale’s emotional climax—Maggie declaring, “The Crossing is my home”—resonates, tying back to Season 1’s homecoming theme. Chad praises Morgan’s performance: “She’s phenomenal, carrying Maggie’s strength and fragility so well.”
Character Analysis: Chad’s Cal and the Ensemble
Cal Jones is Chad’s most mature role yet. Unlike Lucas Scott’s brooding intensity, Cal is a man of quiet resilience, his charm tempered by grief. Chad draws parallels to his own life: “I’ve had to rebuild, like Cal. Playing him feels personal.” Cal’s Season 3 arc—proposing to move in with Maggie, confronting his father’s illness—showcases Chad’s range, blending stoicism with vulnerability. A pivotal scene where Cal breaks down, admitting his fear of loss, earned praise from TVLine for its “raw authenticity.”
Maggie, portrayed by Morgan Kohan, evolves from a city surgeon to a community pillar. Her chemistry with Chad, honed over three seasons, makes their “spicy” scenes—like a lakeside kiss—electric. Kohan tells Entertainment Weekly, “Chad’s so easy to work with. We push each other to be better.” Sully, played by Scott Patterson, balances gruffness with tenderness, his potential romance with Helen adding depth. Supporting characters like Frank (Tom Jackson) and Sydney (Lindura) enrich the narrative, with their Indigenous and queer identities subtly integrated, reflecting Timberlake’s diversity.
Cultural Impact and Reception
Sullivan’s Crossing has become a streaming hit, with Season 1 garnering 108 million viewing hours on Netflix and Season 3 topping The CW’s charts with 4.1 million viewers per episode. Its appeal lies in its universal themes—family, love, redemption—and its Nova Scotia setting, filmed in Halifax, which Variety called “a character in itself.” The show’s diversity and focus on community resonate, with fans on X praising its “heartwarming authenticity.”
Chad’s reflections on fame add cultural context. “When I was in my 20s, I knew very little about the world,” he says. “I was thrown into a scenario I couldn’t understand. No one could explain it, and I didn’t have good role models. You can burn out.” Now, as a father of three with wife Sarah Roemer, Chad prioritizes balance: “I get up, change diapers, get the kids to school. It’s different now.” His ability to say no to projects reflects growth, yet he remains committed: “I’m a lifer. What a crazy, wild ride!”
Connecting Seasons and Legacy
Season 3 builds on Seasons 1 and 2 by deepening character arcs and resolving earlier tensions. Maggie’s return in Season 1 mirrors her Season 3 choice to stay, while Cal’s mysterious past, teased in Season 2, fully unfolds. The show’s logic—rooted in emotional authenticity—avoids melodrama, though some fans noted Glenn’s arc as a weak link. Standout moments, like Maggie and Cal’s reconciliation, echo One Tree Hill’s emotional beats, cementing Chad’s legacy in romantic drama.
Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 is a testament to Chad Michael Murray’s evolution and the show’s staying power. With nostalgia fueling his performance, a stellar ensemble, and a narrative that balances spice and heart, it’s a must-watch. As Chad says, “I love connecting with fans. This ride’s far from over.”
