The dawn of the new Gossip Girl series and its’ principle shooting.
Spotted on The Met steps sans headband and yoghurt…A new wave of Constance Billard Girls and St. Jude’s Boys perch themselves on Queen B’s favourite lunch spot…
The cast for the new Gossip Girl series were seen outside the iconic Metropolitan Museum for what appears to be principle shooting and photography. What the refresh/reboot will do differently from the original remains to be seen. The upcoming series by HBO paid tribute to its predecessor by choosing to do some of its initial shooting outside The Met, which was a regular feature location in the original series. The use of the iconic landmark proved to be worthwhile as the images that have circulated have garnered new interest and intrigue in terms of cast and their character’s clothes.
It’s been close to a decade since we’ve last heard the phrases “Hey, Upper East Siders…” and “You know you love me, XO XO Gossip Girl” being spoken by series narrator and Gossip Girl voice Kristen Bell, fans of the original show will be delighted to know that Bell has been confirmed to reprise her role for the upcoming reboot, the only original cast member to do so far. The original show’s creator Stephanie Savage and producer Josh Schwartz are also back at the helm for the refresh adding their experience and expertise to bolster the strength of the upcoming reboot.
The new series will sport a new set of New York elites presumably under the eye and updated surveillance of a new Gossip Girl, it’s more than likely the Gossip Girl persona and website would have undergone their own reboot and refresh too. The show’s infamous website was at the centre of the characters’ lives, every post and blast detailing juicy rumours in the “scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite” It’s been 8 years since the website went dark so it’ll be interesting to see the show’s portrayal and use of social media given the advancement, power and influence it has in abundance nowadays. It’s likely to have an even more pronounced impact given how integrated it is in people’s lives.
The shoot outside The Met also provided the media with showcasing the reboot’s lead characters as well as their individual take on American Preppy outfits and “Back to School Vibes”. Fashion will undoubtedly play a major factor in the show’s appeal one more with plenty of designers being used and named previously in the original show. The original costume designer Eric Daman has also been confirmed to return for the reboot to manage sartorial matters. The characters’ individual outfits and accessories will be eagerly anticipated and coveted by fans, with standout pieces likely to be the topic of conversation online much like Connell’s chain was in Normal People.
Given the main characters are in their school years, expect an array of fresh and new take on “preppy” and “back to school” fits to be prevalent in the series including their spin on “off duty” and “weekend wear” when off campus and home. Fashion and Social Media were known focal points in the original Gossip Girl series, both have changed and advanced a great deal since the last episode of the original series. The extent of how the reboot will utilise these influential mediums within the new show will certainly draw interest from viewers when it premieres next year.
From the photos that have circulated over the last few days, there’s also more notable diversity in its cast. This can only be a good thing and a further step in the right direction for shows trying to appeal and engage with a wider audience looking for better relatability and representation. The refresh looks to tap into the late Millennial and Gen Z audience age by banking on the talent of young up and coming stars like Emily Alyn Lind (Revenge as young Amanda Clarke, Replicas and Code Black), Whitney Peak (Molly’s Game and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Tavi Gevinson ( Founder of online magazine Rookie) who transitioned to acting in the last few years and newcomer Zion Moreno as the lead female trio. The male leads consist of Thomas Doherty (seen in Disney’s Descendants and The Lodge), Eli Brown (Pretty Little Liars) and model and skater Evan Mock in his first acting role to wrap up the main cast ensemble.
The reboot will consist of 10 one-hour episode for the first season premiering on HBO Max in 2021, depending on COVID-19 of course…
