What the Hell Happened: The Return of 'Gossip Girl'

Attention, Upper East Siders: The hit 2000’s show “Gossip Girl” is coming back as an HBO Max reboot! Although delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, HBO officers and screenwriter Joshua Safran have confirmed the arrival of 1o new episodes in 2021. Fans and critics alike have been paying close attention to updates, which have included limited casting picks, plot details, and costume reveals.

The sharpest disappointment is obvious: The original cast will not return. Instead, the reboot will pull a “Glee” Season 4 and introduce a whole new host of characters within the same universe as the originals. The only returning cast member will be Kristen Bell, presumably as the iconic voice of Gossip Girl, which clearly could not be replaced. The series will be led by Emily Alyn Lind, playing Audrey, who "has been in a long term relationship and is beginning to wonder what more could be out there.”

Other leads include Canadian star Jordan Singer, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”’s Whitney Peak, and “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists” star Eli Brown. The cast itself is far more diverse than the original show (low bar), and aims to focus on relevant social issues. This will likely pose a challenge. The original show is rife with soap-opera drama, and besides a few drug busts and Bart-Bass-attempted-murders, it steered clear of addressing social issues. Probably for good reason, too: It’s difficult to balance dramatic teen drama with serious conversations about identity and politics without diluting and misrepresenting one or the other.

The “Gossip Girl” reboot’s biggest challenge will be avoiding a “Heathers”-like failure. In attempting to update the cult classic “Heathers” by marrying social commentary with exaggerated teen-drama, the 2018 project flopped. Its timing was abysmal, and the series never really satisfied either of its intended purposes. The “Gossip Girl” reboot will need to be mindful of this as it proceeds, especially when its directors and writers have emphasized the importance of social media in the new series.

There is potential in the “Gossip Girl” reboot, though. Look towards HBO Max’s “Euphoria,” which managed to wrap together a myriad of relevant social commentary with juicy teen drama. The show, despite its initial shock factor, received decent reviews from both casual fans and critics. Although far more successful than other attempts, “Euphoria” still toed the line between glamourization and truth. “Gossip Girl” will have to do the same thing, as the fictionalized world of the Upper East Side is synonymous with luxe and glamour, even without Serena van der Woodsen. With its goal to depict the changed landscape of New York City on top of the new social-media-driven world, the reboot has quite the challenge ahead.

Amid all the cautionary tales and uncertainty, the “Gossip Girl” reboot can look forward to one thing: the return of Eric Daman. The original show’s costume designer is responsible for Blair Waldorf’s iconic headband collection and Serena van der Woodsen’s trendy (although sometimes questionable) 2000’s fashion. Despite none of the original characters taking leading roles in the reboot, Daman’s return highlights the show’s main draw as a nostalgic escape into the world of Manhattan’s elite. The writers ensure long-time fans will stay connected with the series by creating new stories within the original universe. The reboot’s characters will still don Constance Billard’s signature uniforms while lunching on the steps of the Met, as pictured in the latest pictures of the set. Furthermore, original characters will be mentioned in the reboot, suggesting a Marvel-Cinematic-Universe-like continuation of the timeline full of Easter eggs. These intricacies will keep “Gossip Girl” devotees coming back, but ensures a new generation also explores the woes and peril of the Upper East Side.

There are many pitfalls and traps that the “Gossip Girl” reboot could fall into. Trying to meld together social commentary and teen drama while preserving the original voice of the show is a tricky line to toe. However, the new series also brings the promise of 2000’s nostalgia and revisited fan favorites. The cast and director understand the task ahead, and are trying to limit rumors and fan theories. There is certainly dedication, and the efforts to expand the original show’s limitations are valiant. One thing’s for sure– fans cannot wait to see if the reboot can bring the drama of an iconic Thanksgiving episode.

– Staff Writer Hannah Chew can be reached at hannah.chew@thecrimson.com