It looks like One Tree Hill newlyweds Peyton and Lucas are about to embark on a permanent honeymoon.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, whose characters tied the knot in last night's penultimate episode, will not be returning for the show's seventh season next fall. The CW is expected to formally announce their departures next Thursday at its upfront presentation.

Murray and Burton have been engaged in rather high-profile contract negotiations for the past several months. Ultimately, a deal couldn't be worked out and both actors will make their final appearances in next Monday's season finale.

To fill the void next season, a Hill insider tells me that two new characters will be introduced. Additionally, Austin Nichols (Julian) is being promoted to a series regular.

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The show isn't the same without them but it's still good. Luckily they're doing some exciting stuff with the characters and it's keeping a lot of us glued.