Where is the cast of Gossip Girl now?

As we grew obsessed with the stately New York City apartments, impossibly expensive outfits, and slightly incestuous relationships (we’re looking at you, Serena and Dan), Hollywood stars were born.

The original Noughties cast (bar narrator Kristen Bell) were absent from the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot, which was shelved after just two seasons.

So, as the glow of the Gossip Girl faded, where did they go? We’re here to fill you in on what the original cast members are up to now.

Blake Lively

Lively played It girl Serena van der Woodson and is perhaps the best known of the original six cast members. Since Gossip Girl, Lively has established herself as a fashion icon at the Met Gala and launched (then un-launched) digital magazine and e-commerce website Preserve. She has also welcomed three daughters into the world with her husband, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds.

Lively also found time to star in films including The Age of Adaline, blockbuster The Shallows, A Simple Favour and Lady Killer.

In 2024, the actress starred in It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Coleen Hoover's bestselling novel.

Next up? Lively will next star in Another Simple Favour, a sequel to A Simple Favour, alongside Anna Kendrick.

Leighton Meester

Meester played rival queen bee and overachiever Blair Waldorf, and was often considered the breakout star of the series. Not only an actress, she released her debut album Heartstrings in 2014, has appeared in print ads for Vera Wang and Jimmy Choo, and is an active philanthropist, having worked with Feeding America since 2017.

Meester is also married to The OC alum Adam Brody, with whom she has two children.

As far as her acting career goes, in 2014 she featured in The Judge opposite Robert Downey Jr. and made her Broadway debut as the infamous Curly’s Wife in Of Mice and Men. Most recently, she had a lead role in two seasons of ABC sitcom Single Parents.

In 2022, Meester played lead in the Netflix adaptation of Sarah Alderson’s psychological thriller, The Weekend Away, and in 2023 she appeared in the Netflix film River Wild.

Next up? She's set to star in the upcoming second season of the Netflix comedy series Nobody Wants This as a guest star.

Michelle Trachtenberg

Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, a rebellious wild child.

The actress first rose to fame as the titular character in Harriet the Spy (1996) before bagging the role of Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000-2003). She also appeared in a host of movies including Eurotrip (2004), the drama Mysterious Skins (2004), and the teen sports film Ice Princess (2005).

Sparks reprised her role as Georgina in the Gossip Girl reboot.

In February 2025, the star was reportedly found dead in her New York City apartment at the age of 39. The NYPD told the BBC that an investigation into her death "remains ongoing", but clarified that "Criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death".

Penn Badgley

Labelled as the most relatable character, Badgley played Dan Humphrey, who still lived in a suspiciously luxurious and spacious loft in Brooklyn. Badgley’s other breakout roles came in 2010 comedy Easy A, in which he played Emma Stone’s love interest, Todd, and 2011 financial thriller drama Margin Call, for which the ensemble cast won an Independent Spirit Award. Badgley also married singer Domino Kirke in 2017.

Since Gossip Girl, his most popular role has been in Netflix's dark psychological thriller series, You. Playing Joe, a toxic and obsessive lover, his character will stop at nothing to achieve the romance he thinks he deserves.

Next up? The fifth season of You is set to be released later in 2025.

Chace Crawford

Crawford played golden boy Nate Archibald, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of both Blair and Serena in the show.

Since Gossip Girl, Crawford has had a steady career. He played a father-to-be in What to Expect When You’re Expecting opposite Anna Kendrick in 2011, guest-starred on Glee in 2014, and has a main role in Amazon Prime superhero-hit The Boys as aquatic superhuman The Deep.

Next up? Crawford is set to reprise his role as The Deep in the upcoming fifth season of The Boys.

Ed Westwick

Westwick played Chuck Bass, the series’ token bad boy who turned out to be semi-decent. He has since appeared in the iconic teen romcom Chalet Girl in 2011, as antagonist Tybalt in 2013’s Romeo and Juliet, and as salesman Vincent in BBC Two series White Gold from 2017-2019.

In November 2017, Westwick was accused of rape and sexual assault by three women. The allegations meant that filming of season 2 of White Gold was paused and Westwick’s scenes in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence were re-shot. Westwick strongly denied the allegations and in July 2018 the Los Angeles District Attorney announced he would not be prosecuted.

He returned for White Gold's second season and also went on to appear in Enemy Lines (2020) and Me You Madness (2021).

He married Supergirl star Amy Jackson in 2024.

Next up? He's set to appear in Lux Vide's upcoming Sandokan reboot, a release date for which is yet to be confirmed.

Taylor Momsen

Momsen played Jenny Humphrey, Dan Humphrey’s little sister. Momsen left as a season regular at the end of the fourth season when she decided to focus on her music career. Besides a brief appearance in the finale of Gossip Girl, she featured in no further episodes.

Since then, Momsen has been full-time lead vocalist of The Pretty Reckless, an American rock band. The band has released four studio albums and supported bands including Evanescence and Fall Out Boy on tour. Their music has been featured in the film Kick-Ass and television series The Vampire Diaries.

The Pretty Reckless released their fourth studio album, Death by Rock and Roll, in February 2021.

Kelly Rutherford

Rutherford played Serena and Eric's mother, Lily van der Woodsen, in Gossip Girl.

She went on to appear in Being Mary Jane, Dynasty, and Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. She's also starred in several Lifetime films.

Jessica Szohr

After waving goodbye to her as Vanessa in Gossip Girl, Szohr has appeared in several projects, including Taylor Swift's music video for 22 and the 2017 Twin Peaks revival.

She also appeared in Hulu drama The Orville in 2022.

Gossip Girl is available to watch on BBC iPlayer right now.

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