XOXO: The Shocking New Careers And Latest Projects Of The Original And Reboot 'Gossip Girl' Cast In 2025

The world of Manhattan's elite has never truly faded from the spotlight, but the stars who brought Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf to life have moved far beyond the Upper East Side. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the original cast of *Gossip Girl* (2007-2012) is experiencing a massive career resurgence and transformation, while the stars of the recently canceled reboot (2021-2023) are quickly pivoting to new, high-profile projects. This deep dive reveals the freshest updates on what the original icons and the new generation of scandalous stars are doing now, from starring in major Netflix thrillers to becoming global fashion ambassadors. The enduring cultural impact of *Gossip Girl* is a testament to its compelling characters and trend-setting style. While the original series remains a beloved classic, the careers of its stars continue to evolve in unexpected and powerful ways, proving that while high school may end, the drama—and the paychecks—do not.

Where Are the Original Gossip Girl Icons Now? (2024–2025 Updates)

The core five actors of the original series have successfully shed their teen drama personas, with each one landing a major, career-defining role or project in the last two years. Their current work demonstrates a deliberate move into diverse genres, from action-comedy to dark psychological thrillers.

1. Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)

Latest Project: Blake Lively has fully embraced her role as a producer and leading lady in action-comedy. Her most anticipated project is the action rom-com film The Survival List, which she is both starring in and co-producing.

• Current Focus: Acting, Producing, and directing. Lively made her feature film directorial debut with the music video for Taylor Swift’s “I Bet You Think About Me.”
• Key Entities: The Survival List, Producer, Director, Taylor Swift, Action Rom-Com.
• Personal Life Update: Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, continue to be one of Hollywood's most high-profile couples, balancing their acting careers with raising their four children.

2. Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey / Gossip Girl)

Latest Project: Penn Badgley is set to return for the highly anticipated fifth and final season of the Netflix psychological thriller series You.

• Current Focus: The final arc of Joe Goldberg, the charming yet terrifying serial killer. The final season is slated to premiere in April 2025.
• Key Entities: You Season 5, Joe Goldberg, Netflix, Psychological Thriller, Podcasting (Host of the *Podcrushed* podcast).
• Career Pivot: Badgley has masterfully used his "Lonely Boy" fame to launch a new, darker persona, while also using his platform to discuss mental health and social issues on his popular podcast.

3. Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)

Latest Project: The Queen B is making a major return to television with the upcoming CW/Stan comedy-drama series Good Cop/Bad Cop, which is slated for a 2025 release.

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• Current Focus: Comedy-drama roles, following her recent appearance in the Hulu series *How I Met Your Father*. She is also part of the cast for the second season of the Netflix comedy *Nobody Wants This*.
• Key Entities: Good Cop/Bad Cop, Comedy-Drama, *Nobody Wants This*, Adam Brody (husband), Blair Waldorf Style (enduring fashion influence).
• Style Legacy: Meester's character, Blair Waldorf, continues to be a massive fashion entity, with the "Blair Waldorf Style" experiencing a major revival on social media platforms like TikTok in 2024.

4. Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald)

Latest Project: Chace Crawford's career is currently dominated by his role as the narcissistic, aquatic superhero "The Deep" in the critically acclaimed and highly popular Amazon Prime Video series The Boys.

• Current Focus: Filming and promotion for The Boys Season 4, with his character's arc confirmed to continue into the already announced Season 5.
• Key Entities: The Boys Season 4, The Deep, Amazon Prime Video, Superhero Satire, Season 5 confirmation.
• The Pivot: Crawford successfully transitioned from the "Golden Boy" of the Upper East Side to one of the most hilariously disturbed characters on modern television, proving his versatility.

5. Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)

Latest Project: Ed Westwick has recently starred as a determined detective in the new crime thriller film DarkGame, which was released in late 2024/early 2025.

• Current Focus: Feature films, particularly in the thriller and action genres. DarkGame centers on a twisted game show run on the dark web.
• Key Entities: DarkGame, Crime Thriller, Chuck Bass, Feature Films.
• Behind the Scenes: Westwick has been actively promoting the film, discussing his shift from the romantic anti-hero of *Gossip Girl* to a grittier, action-oriented role.

The Next Generation: What the Gossip Girl Reboot Cast Is Doing Post-Cancellation

The HBO Max/Max reboot of *Gossip Girl* was canceled after two seasons in January 2023, but its young cast has wasted no time in securing major new roles across film and streaming. They represent the new wave of Hollywood talent, quickly moving past the show’s polarizing reception.

6. Jordan Alexander (Julien Calloway)

Latest Project: Jordan Alexander is set to star in the coming-of-age thriller Color Your Hurt, slated for a 2025 release. She is also part of the cast of the upcoming MGM+ series The Institute, also due in 2025.

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• Current Focus: High-concept thrillers and streaming series. She is also a recording artist, with her debut album *The Lonely Hearts Club* demonstrating her passion for music.
• Key Entities: Color Your Hurt, The Institute, MGM+, Music Career, Recording Artist.

7. Thomas Doherty (Max Wolfe)

Latest Project: The Scottish actor is starring in the 2024 drama/romance film Dandelion alongside KiKi Layne. He also has a role in the 2024 sci-fi comedy film Distant.

• Current Focus: Transitioning from television to feature films, showcasing his range in genres from romance to sci-fi comedy.
• Key Entities: Dandelion, Distant, KiKi Layne, Feature Film Actor.

8. Whitney Peak (Zoya Lott)

Latest Project: Whitney Peak continues to be a major force in the fashion world as a Chanel Global Ambassador, appearing at high-profile events and in major fashion editorials, including the November-December 2024 issue of *Manifesto Asia*.

• Current Focus: Fashion and prestigious theatrical roles. She is set to appear in the 2025 Williamstown Theatre Festival's production of *Camino Real*.
• Key Entities: Chanel Global Ambassador, *Manifesto Asia*, Williamstown Theatre Festival, *Camino Real*.

9. Evan Mock (Akeno "Aki" Menzies)

Latest Project: The model and actor is set to star in a new feature film alongside Kevin Costner and Chloe East, marking a significant step in his acting career.

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• Current Focus: Fashion modeling, brand collaborations (like his Summer 2024 collection with Slowtide), and feature film acting. He was recently seen at the Thom Browne Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show.
• Key Entities: Kevin Costner, Chloe East, Feature Film, Slowtide, Thom Browne, Model.

10. Emily Alyn Lind (Audrey Hope)

Latest Project: Emily Alyn Lind is starring as Cadence in the new Amazon Prime Video thriller series We Were Liars, which is based on the popular young adult novel.

• Current Focus: High-stakes thriller and drama series, building on her previous roles in *Doctor Sleep* and *Revenge*.
• Key Entities: We Were Liars, Amazon Prime Video, Thriller Series, Cadence.

11. Eli Brown (Otto "Obie" Bergmann IV)

Current Status: Following the *Gossip Girl* reboot's cancellation, Eli Brown has been focusing on his music career and other creative pursuits, while continuing to audition for major roles. Prior to *Gossip Girl*, he was known for his role in *Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists*.

• Key Entities: Music Career, *Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists*, Singer-Songwriter.

The Enduring Legacy: Fashion, Controversy, and Topical Authority

Beyond the actors' individual careers, the *Gossip Girl* franchise remains a powerful cultural touchstone, constantly generating discussion around its groundbreaking style and its controversial conclusion.

The Unstoppable 'Gossip Girl' Fashion Influence

The original series is widely credited with bringing high fashion to teen television, creating two distinct, enduring styles: Serena’s "boho-meets-glam" look, characterized by flowing dresses, vests, and designer bags, and Blair’s "preppy chic" aesthetic, defined by headbands, structured silhouettes, and luxe fabrics. This fashion legacy is not just nostalgia; the Blair Waldorf Style is currently experiencing a major revival on TikTok and in 2025 fashion trends, proving the show's lasting authority on preppy-luxe dressing.

The reboot attempted to update this legacy, focusing on a more diverse, Gen Z-friendly, and socially conscious style, but the original’s impact—featuring designers like Anna Sui and Oscar de la Renta—remains unparalleled.

The 'Dan Humphrey' Ending Controversy

One of the most talked-about elements of the original series remains the controversial reveal of Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) as the titular blogger, Gossip Girl. The final episode, which aired in 2012, sparked immediate and long-lasting fan debate. Many viewers and even some cast members, including Chace Crawford, felt the reveal "didn't really line up" with the character's journey and actions throughout the series. The show’s writers and producers have since admitted that the identity of Gossip Girl changed several times during the series' run, contributing to the perceived inconsistencies in the final reveal. This ongoing discussion ensures the original series’ finale remains a hot topic in pop culture retrospectives.

From Blake Lively’s new action movies to Penn Badgley’s final dark turn as Joe Goldberg, the former residents of the Upper East Side are dominating Hollywood. The reboot cast, though their series was short-lived, are already securing their places as the next generation of stars. XOXO.