Spotted: All six seasons of the original Gossip Girl are back on Netflix, ready for you to dive into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite. The CW series that launched the careers of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Penn Badgley is now available for your viewing pleasure. While you may think you know everything about the show, there are still juicy secrets to uncover about the creation of the beloved teen drama.
Did you know that Chuck and Blair’s iconic relationship was inspired by the chemistry between Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester onscreen? The co-creators, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, saw the connection between the actors and decided to build the storyline around it. The onscreen duo of Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf quickly became fan favorites due to their love-hate dynamic.
Speaking of chemistry, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford, who played Chuck and Nate Archibald, respectively, were actually roommates for the first two years of filming. Their close friendship off-screen only added to the authenticity of their onscreen bond. It seems that real-life connections helped bring the characters to life.
Surprisingly, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Serena van der Woodsen, which eventually went to Blake Lively. The casting process for the show was filled with talented actors vying for the iconic roles that would define their careers. Lily Collins also auditioned for a role on the show, showing how close we came to having a completely different cast.
Ed Westwick almost lost his role as Chuck Bass due to visa issues, as the English actor struggled to obtain the necessary paperwork to shoot in the U.S. But the creators were determined to have him in the role, and their persistence paid off. Similarly, casting the voice of Gossip Girl was no easy task, with Christina Ricci and Selma Blair also considered for the part before Kristen Bell was chosen to bring the mysterious narrator to life.
As you rewatch the series that defined a generation, keep these behind-the-scenes secrets in mind. The magic of Gossip Girl goes beyond the screen, with real-life connections and unexpected twists shaping the iconic show we all know and love. XOXO.
