Summary
Debuting in 2007, Gossip Girl captivated audiences and remained a favorite throughout its six-season run. The series delved into the challenges faced by affluent teenagers residing in New York City's prestigious Upper East Side.
The original Gossip Girl series was groundbreaking in its depiction of technology, social media, and privacy concerns. It garnered extensive recognition and played a pivotal role in catapulting its cast members, including Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, and Taylor Momsen, towards successful careers in film, television, and music.
Gossip Girl bid farewell with a final "XOXO" in 2012, but the cast has kept busy in the decade that followed the popular teen drama series. Originally premiered in 2007, the show ran for six seasons on The CW. Gossip Girl revolves around a group of privileged teenagers residing on New York City's Upper East Side. It showcases their challenges as they navigate the intricacies of adolescence, all while being closely observed by an anonymous online blogger known as "Gossip Girl." The series was groundbreaking in its depiction of technology, social media, and conversations surrounding privacy.
Joshua Ian Schwartz created Gossip Girl, basing it on Cecily von Ziegesar's book series. The television adaptation soared in popularity and its influence can still be seen on the screen today. The show garnered a remarkable 36 award nominations and secured 21 wins. The original series' triumph prompted the development of a Gossip Girl reboot featuring a new ensemble cast in 2021. However, the reboot failed to meet fans' expectations and was ultimately cancelled by HBO after two seasons. In contrast, the original Gossip Girl propelled the careers of its cast, with many of its stars achieving great success.
6 Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)
Blake Lively rose to fame by portraying the iconic character Serena van der Woodsen in the popular television show Gossip Girl. Serena, an "It Girl" from Manhattan's Upper East Side, captivated audiences with her enigmatic return home after attending a secretive Connecticut boarding school. Throughout the series, Serena became renowned for her impeccable fashion choices, her on-again/off-again romance with Dan Humphrey, and her intricate relationship with Blair Waldorf. Despite her privileged upbringing, Serena often found herself entangled in dramatic situations, constantly navigating a challenging life under the watchful eyes of society.
Before landing the role of Serena, Blake Lively gained recognition for her performance in the film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. From 2007 to 2010, she dated her co-star and on-screen boyfriend, Penn Badgley. Blake then ventured into multiple film projects, including notable titles like The Town, The Green Lantern, Savages, The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, and A Simple Favor. In 2021, she showcased her directing skills by helming her friend Taylor Swift's music video for "I Bet You Think About Me." Blake and Ryan Reynolds, whom she met while working on the set of Green Lantern in 2010, have been happily married since 2012 and are proud parents of four children.
5 Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey)
Penn Badgley, known for his role as Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl, portrays the character of an outsider among his wealthy peers. Throughout the series, his love interest with Serena van der Woodsen develops into the most enduring relationship. However, the surprising finale unveils that Dan Humphrey is, in fact, Gossip Girl.
Before embodying the character of "Lonely Boy" Dan Humphrey, Penn Badgley already had an established career in television and film. He had appeared in shows like The Young and the Restless and movies like John Tucker Must Die. Following Gossip Girl, Badgley played the role of singer Jeff Buckley in the film Greetings from Tim Buckley. Additionally, he demonstrated his musical talents by forming the band MOTHXR, based in Brooklyn, in 2013. Badgley's portrayal of Joe Goldberg in the popular Netflix series You, based on Caroline Kepnes's novel, has been incredibly successful. The fifth season of You has been confirmed and is set to release in 2024. In 2017, Badgley tied the knot with singer-songwriter Domino Kirke, and they have a son together. Presently, Badgley is a co-host of the podcast Podcrushed.
4 Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)
Leighton Meester rose to fame for her portrayal of Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, where she played the role of Serena's fashionable and assertive best friend. Known for her sharp wit and driven nature, Blair captivated viewers with her overachieving persona. Initially in a relationship with longtime boyfriend Nate Archibald, Blair's love story took an unexpected turn when she fell for Nate's charismatic best friend, Chuck Bass. As the series unfolded, Blair and Chuck's relationship became one of the central plotlines, alongside the complex partnership between Serena and Dan.
Following her success as Blair Waldorf, Leighton Meester ventured into the world of film, starring in various productions such as That's My Boy, Life Partners, By the Gun, and The Weekend Away. She also took on television roles, appearing in Fox's Making History and ABC's Single Parents. In 2014, Meester made her debut on Broadway in the play Of Mice and Men. Adding to her versatile talents, she released her first acoustic studio album, Heartstrings, in the same year. Meester tied the knot with fellow actor Adam Brody, known for his role in The O.C., in 2014, and the couple now shares two children. Her recent works include an appearance in Hulu's How I Met Your Father.
3 Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)
Ed Westwick, known for his portrayal of the charismatic and troubled Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, has had a diverse acting career. Initially depicted as a self-absorbed and scheming womanizer, Chuck develops more complexity as the series progresses. Particularly, his rocky relationship with Blair showcases his transformation, ultimately leading to their marriage.
Following his popular role on Gossip Girl, Ed Westwick took on the character of a hotel heir and womanizer in ABC's Wicked City, though the show was canceled after just three episodes in 2015. He then appeared in a range of films, including Romeo & Juliet, Freaks of Nature, Billionaire Ransom, The Crash, Snatch, and Enemy Lines. From 2017 to 2019, Westwick starred as Victor Swan in the BBC series White Gold, which was later distributed by Netflix. Since then, he has starred in the films Wolves of War and Deep Fear.
2 Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald)
Chase Crawford, known for his role as Nate Archibald in Gossip Girl, portrayed the charming "Golden Boy" of the show. Nate Archibald, an athlete, socialite, and member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, was best friends with Chuck and often seen as the "Boy Next Door." Despite being involved in several relationships throughout the series, starting with Blair Waldorf, Nate ultimately ends up single by the finale. Throughout the show, Nate develops an interest in politics and by the end, he expresses his intention to run for mayor of New York City.
Following his portrayal of Nate Archibald, Chace Crawford took on the lead role in ABC's soap opera Blood and Oil in 2015, although it only lasted one season. In 2016, Crawford not only starred in but also executive produced the baseball film Undrafted. Since then, he has appeared in various other films, including Eloise, I Do… Until I Don't, All About Nina, Charlie Says, Nighthawks, and Inheritance. From 2019 to 2022, Crawford gained further recognition through his role as The Deep in the successful Amazon Prime superhero series The Boys, and he also made a guest appearance in the spinoff show Gen V.
1 Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey)
Taylor Momsen portrayed the character of Jenny Humphrey, Dan Humphrey's younger sister, in the popular television series Gossip Girl. Initially portrayed as timid, Jenny's character undergoes a transformation throughout the show, gradually ascending the social hierarchy. Her journey revolves around self-discovery, as she progressively gains confidence and independence. Jenny's constant need for attention and approval, particularly from Blair, gradually diminishes as she grows. She develops a keen interest in clothing design and eventually moves to Hudson, New York, to live with her mother. By the end of the season, Jenny secures a position at Waldorf Designs and creates her own clothing line called "J For Waldorf."
Prior to her portrayal of Jenny, Taylor Momsen gained recognition for her role as Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 live-action adaptation of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" alongside Jim Carrey. Following her time on Gossip Girl, Momsen decided to shift her focus entirely to her music career. Since 2009, she has been the lead vocalist of the hard rock band The Pretty Reckless. The band has released four studio albums to date: "Light Me Up," "Going to Hell," "Who You Selling For," and "Death by Rock and Roll."