The One Tree Hill season 9 premiere photos focus on Brooke and Julian, along with the former's father.

That's nary a shot of Lee Norris as Mouth, and now we might know why: the network is likely saving its first look at this character as a surprise. For what reason?

He's "gained about 60 pounds," Norris tells TV Guide about the major "physical transformation" Mouth has undergone since we've last seen him, teasing: "What is really going to interest the audience is why this transformation happened."

The actor, of course, is mum on that answer, but hopefully we'll learn more on the January 11 return of One Tree Hill. It's the first of the show's final season and it will find Mouth and Mille hosting their own morning show.