List of Gossip Girl characters
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Cecily von Ziegesar (novel series) |
| Defunct | 2012 (original series) |
| Successor | Gossip Girl (2021 sequel) |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Television drama series |
The characters listed below appear in the The CW teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012) and its independent sequel (2021–2023), both derived from the novels by Cecily von Ziegesar. Each series centers on affluent students attending the fictional Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude's School for Boys.
The original show highlights ten principal characters: Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively), the Upper East Side's iconic it girl; Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), the reigning queen bee; Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), Serena’s romantic interest; Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford), the golden boy; Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen), Dan’s sister; Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), Nate’s close billionaire friend; Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), Dan’s friend and former girlfriend; Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford), Serena’s socialite mother; Rufus Humphrey (Matthew Settle), a former rock musician turned gallery owner; and Ivy Dickens (Kaylee DeFer), a con artist.
The sequel introduces sixteen main characters, encompassing both students and faculty: Julien Calloway (Jordan Alexander), an influencer and queen bee; her half-sister Zoya Lott (Whitney Peak); English teacher Kate Keller (Tavi Gevinson); affluent Otto "Obie" Bergmann IV (Eli Brown); Max Wolfe (Thomas Doherty), a pansexual charmer; literature lover Audrey Hope (Emily Alyn Lind); Akeno "Aki" Menzies (Evan Mock), a bisexual skateboarder; Nick Lott (Johnathan Fernandez), a lawyer; computer science instructor Jordan Glassberg (Adam Chanler-Berat); stylist Luna La (Zión Moreno); billionaire Monet de Haan (Savannah Lee Smith); classics teacher Rafa Caparros (Jason Gotay); theater producer Gideon Wolfe (Todd Almond); athleisure designer Kiki Hope (Laura Benanti); troublemaker Shan Barnes (Grace Duah); and Wendy, a friend of Kate’s (Megan Ferguson).
Both installments are narrated by the all-knowing "Gossip Girl" (voiced by Kristen Bell). In the original, this identity is a single individual unveiled in the finale, whereas in the sequel, multiple characters assume this role.
Main
- The cast list follows original broadcast credits order, with newer additions placed at the end. Main cast designation is determined by producers rather than screen time or popularity.
| Actor | Character | Gossip Girl (2007–12) | Gossip Girl (2021–23) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 5 | Season 6 | Season 1 | Season 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012 | 2021 | 2022–23 | ||
| Blake Lively | Serena van der Woodsen | colspan="6" Template:CMain | |||||||
| Leighton Meester | Blair Waldorf | colspan="6" Template:CMain | Template:CGuest | ||||||
| Penn Badgley | Dan Humphrey | colspan="6" Template:CMain | |||||||
| Chace Crawford | Nate Archibald | colspan="6" Template:CMain | |||||||
| Taylor Momsen | Jenny Humphrey | colspan="4" Template:CMain[lower-alpha 1] | Template:CGuest | ||||||
| Ed Westwick | Chuck Bass | colspan="6" Template:CMain | |||||||
| Kelly Rutherford | Lily van der Woodsen | colspan="6" Template:CMain | |||||||
Recurring
| Actor | Character | Gossip Girl (2007–12) | Gossip Girl (2021–23) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 5 | Season 6 | Season 1 | Season 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012 | 2021 | 2022–23 | ||
| Zuzanna Szadkowski | Dorota Kishlovsky | colspan="6" Template:CRecurring | Template:CGuest | ||||||
| Michelle Trachtenberg | Georgina Sparks | colspan="6" Template:CRecurring | Template:CGuest | Template:CGuest | |||||
| Margaret Colin[lower-alpha 2] | Eleanor Waldorf-Rose | colspan="5" Template:CRecurring | colspan="3" Template:CGuest | ||||||
| Connor Paolo | Eric van der Woodsen | colspan="4" Template:CRecurring | Template:CGuest | ||||||
| Amanda Setton | Penelope Shafai | colspan="2" Template:CRecurring | colspan="2" Template:CRecurring | ||||||
| Robert John Burke | Bart Bass | colspan="2" Template:CRecurring | Template:CGuest | Template:CGuest | Template:CRecurring | ||||
| Yin Chang | Nelly Yuki | colspan="2" Template:CRecurring | Template:CRecurring | colspan="2" Template:CGuest | |||||
Family members
This section lists recurring relatives of the principal characters in alphabetical order.
Anne Archibald
Anne Archibald (née van der Bilt), portrayed by Francie Swift during seasons one, two, and four, is the mother of Nate Archibald. In the first season, she assists her husband with Eleanor Waldorf's business matters and promises Blair her family heirloom, the Cornelius Vanderbilt engagement ring, if Blair and Nate become engaged. Nevertheless, Blair ends their relationship after witnessing Nate's conflicts with his father. By the second season, Anne’s finances are frozen due to her husband's legal issues, resulting in their Manhattan residence being confiscated and Nate temporarily living with the Humphreys. After selling his club Victrola, Chuck offers Anne a loan, which causes tension between him and Nate. The financial difficulties are eventually resolved when Nate persuades his father to admit guilt to the FBI. Shortly before her husband’s release from incarceration, Anne initiates divorce proceedings.
Howard Archibald
Played by Sam Robards in seasons one, two, four, and six, Howard "The Captain" Archibald is Nate’s father, characterized as a white-collar felon and a recovering cocaine user. He initially escapes to avoid arrest but makes a comeback in season two, leading Nate to insist that he either depart permanently or surrender himself. Howard opts to turn in and subsequently receives divorce documents while imprisoned. After being granted parole, he secures employment with Russell Thorpe.
Bart Bass
Portrayed by Robert John Burke across seasons one, two, five, and six, Bartholomew "Bart" Bass is the billionaire patriarch of Chuck and the founder of Bass Industries. Unlike many affluent Upper East Side families, Bart’s fortune is self-earned. He exhibits a domineering and ruthless demeanor in business and often withholds affection from Chuck, blaming him for the death of his wife during childbirth. Occasionally, Bart shows pride in Chuck’s accomplishments and even requested Chuck to serve as best man at his wedding. In season two, Bart attempts to mend his relationship with Chuck but dies in a limousine accident. He returns as a spectral figure in season three. In season five, Diana Payne falsely claims to be Chuck’s biological mother from an affair with Bart. Subsequent revelations reveal Bart is alive and engaged in secret operations to safeguard his legacy, including orchestrating hits on perceived threats. As Chuck digs deeper, Bart has Nate incarcerated and tries to eliminate Chuck during a flight to Moscow as leverage. The disappearance of Bass Industries’ private jet is announced following a crash; however, Chuck survives and publicly exposes Bart’s misdeeds. Their final confrontation occurs on a rooftop where Bart menaces Chuck; after a struggle, Bart falls to his death, with neither Chuck nor Blair showing remorse for the incident.
Jack Bass
Played by Desmond Harrington from seasons two through six, Jack Bass is Chuck’s uncle who arrives in New York following Bart Bass’ demise. Previously managing Bass Industries in Australia, Jack assumes guardianship of Chuck but soon schemes to wrest control of Bass Industries, resulting in the company’s decline due to poor management. Lily replaces Jack as Chuck’s guardian and gains major influence over the company. After a violent altercation with Lily, Jack is sent back to Sydney. He later returns to assist Chuck with business issues such as obtaining a liquor license and attempts to reclaim Bass Industries from Lily’s control. In season five, Chuck questions Jack’s claim of having saved his life after a car accident when inconsistencies arise involving blood donations and a hepatitis diagnosis. Chuck suspects Jack could be his biological father; however, this remains unconfirmed. By the series finale, Jack is depicted in a romantic relationship with Georgina Sparks.
Alison Humphrey
Portrayed by Susan Misner, Alison is Rufus's estranged spouse and mother of Dan and Jenny. Their marriage dissolves due to her affair during her time working as an artist in Hudson. Alison makes a brief return in the first season but departs again after complications involving an ex-lover emerge.
CeCe Rhodes
Portrayed by Caroline Lagerfelt throughout several seasons, CeCe Rhodes serves as the head of the Rhodes family and grandmother to prominent figures such as Chuck and Serena. As a wealthy and traditional socialite residing in Montecito, California, she wields considerable control over both familial matters and business dealings. CeCe exerted pressure on Lily to prioritize family inheritance over romantic relationships, which played a role in Lily’s breakup with Rufus. Her manipulative influence extends to social gatherings and internal family disputes; however, her stern exterior softens when she permits Dan to accompany her to a White party. During season three, CeCe’s health challenges lead Lily to care for her in California. She returns in season four to stand by Lily amid legal difficulties and makes another appearance in season five at a birthday celebration where family secrets surrounding her granddaughter Charlie Rhodes (Ivy Dickens) come to light. Although aware of Ivy’s true identity, CeCe embraces her as the rightful heir before passing away in episode 16, "Cross Rhodes," with Ivy shown tending to her in the hospital.
Cyrus Rose
Played by Wallace Shawn from seasons two through six, Cyrus Rose is initially introduced as Eleanor Waldorf’s divorce lawyer and later becomes her spouse. He is also the father of Aaron Rose from a previous relationship. Blair admires him at first due to her mother’s approval but is taken aback by his short stature, bald head, and cheerful nature. Famous for his phrase "Not enough!", Cyrus has a touching history involving Mei Li, a Vietnamese woman affected by war whose death eventually led him to find love with Eleanor. Despite Blair’s early efforts to keep them apart, Cyrus and Eleanor become engaged and marry during season two.
Throughout the series, Cyrus remains an integral character: he persuades Dorota to marry and purchases an apartment for her in Queens, hosts key family events such as a Yom Kippur dinner where Blair’s pregnancy is disclosed, and supports Blair by carefully reviewing custody agreements in his role as a lawyer. He escorts Blair down the aisle at her wedding and officiates Chuck and Blair’s ceremony in the final episode of season six. In the time jump, he continues his marriage with Eleanor. Additionally, Cyrus appears in episode ten of the 2021 sequel series as both lawyer and friend to Gideon Wolfe.
Scott Rosson
Scott Rosson, portrayed by Chris Riggi during Seasons 2 and 3, is the biological child of Rufus Humphrey and Lily van der Woodsen. Born in France in 1986, Lily secretly placed him for adoption without informing Rufus. When Rufus discovers Scott’s existence, they attempt to find him but are misled into believing he died in a boating accident—a misunderstanding caused by the death of Scott’s adoptive brother.
Scott later arrives in New York pretending to be an NYU student and begins a relationship with Vanessa. After revealing who he truly is, Vanessa assists him in reconnecting with Rufus and Dan. His adoptive mother explains that their secrecy was motivated by fear of losing Scott after losing her other son. Although Scott initially plans to leave again, he returns alongside Georgina Sparks seeking reconciliation with Lily and Rufus. Their emotional reunion at the bus station leads to an embrace as they start rebuilding their family bonds.
Maureen van der Bilt
Maureen van der Bilt, played by Holley Fain during the second and third seasons, is Trip's spouse who unveils a scheming nature in season three. She devises a plan to enhance Trip's congressional bid by orchestrating a fake drowning incident, allowing him to emerge as a hero. Upon discovering this conspiracy, Nate and Vanessa confront William and subsequently distance themselves from him. William only becomes aware of Maureen's machinations after Trip secures his election victory. The conflict between Maureen and Serena escalates once Serena and Trip begin an affair, which Nate later reveals to Maureen. Maureen leverages a letter from Lily’s former husband for blackmail and suggests Serena act as Trip’s mistress to safeguard his political career. Ultimately, she exerts control over Trip to minimize further fallout.
Trip van der Bilt
William "Trip" van der Bilt III, portrayed by Aaron Tveit in seasons two, three, and five, is Nate’s cousin with strong political aspirations. He encourages Nate to pursue an internship in politics, though Nate opts for a European trip instead. In the third season, with Nate’s assistance, Trip wins a congressional seat; however, his career faces jeopardy due to an affair with Serena, which is triggered by Maureen’s election ploy. This affair results in the breakdown of his marriage and causes public scandal during Thanksgiving. Trip and Maureen negotiate terms involving Serena in an attempt to protect his career, but Serena declines the proposal. After a car accident involving Serena, Nate physically confronts Trip. Trip returns in season five amid personal struggles and causes a vehicular accident involving Chuck and Blair out of jealousy toward Nate.
William van der Bilt
William van der Bilt, portrayed by James Naughton across seasons two, three, and five, is Nate Archibald’s grandfather and the patriarch of the influential van der Bilt family. Proud of their political heritage, he exerts pressure on Nate to follow a political path similar to that of Trip. William manipulates family members to further his objectives, including encouraging Blair to sway Nate’s college decision. His prior refusal to aid Nate’s mother during her legal difficulties has caused tension in their relationship. Despite his strong influence over Nate, William has yet to secure his grandson’s full commitment to a political career.
Eric van der Woodsen
Eric van der Woodsen, portrayed by Connor Paolo since the series pilot, is Serena's younger brother who struggles with personal issues and stands as heir to the Van Der Woodsen fortune. His suicide attempt prompts Serena’s return home. In season one, Eric publicly comes out as homosexual after his boyfriend Asher feigns dating Jenny Humphrey. He rebuilds his friendship with Jenny in season two, becoming best friends again; however, their bond deteriorates in season three when Jenny assumes the role of Queen Bee. Following Serena's accident, Eric reconciles with Jenny and begins dating Jonathan Whitney; their relationship ends due to Eric's obsessive behavior toward Jenny. Later on, he dates Elliot, a bisexual man. In the reboot series, Eric reunites with Jonathan and they marry.
William van der Woodsen
Dr. William van der Woodsen, enacted by William Baldwin from seasons three through six, is Lily’s first husband and father to Serena and Eric. Lily keeps her cancer diagnosis hidden from most family members while seeking treatment from William, which creates tension in her marriage with Rufus. Serena harbors resentment toward Lily for concealing William’s presence during her prolonged search for him over three years.
William returns to the Upper East Side amid mixed reactions: Lily relies on him; Eric remains suspicious of his intentions; Serena desires reconnection; Rufus resents his interference. Although genuinely providing medical care for Lily, William prolongs her illness to maintain his significance in her life after rekindling feelings for her. When Jenny uncovers his scheme aimed at driving a wedge between Lily and Rufus, Serena is heartbroken and William flees as law enforcement closes in.
He reappears in season four offering support during Lily’s arrest and reconciles with Rufus. In season five, William oversees CeCe's estate; Ivy Dickens is named heir, indicating CeCe was aware of Ivy’s true identity. Carol Rhodes identifies William as Charlie's biological father.
In season six, William becomes involved with Ivy in a plot against Lily but renews his romance with Lily following Bart Bass’s death. He deceives Ivy about their relationship status, revealing he used her as part of his plan to win back Lily. The series concludes with William and Lily remarried.
Eleanor Waldorf
Eleanor Waldorf, portrayed by Florencia Lozano in the pilot and Margaret Colin from the fourth episode onward, is the fashion designer and mother of Blair Waldorf. Her marriage to Harold Waldorf ended after he left to pursue a relationship with Roman, a French male model. Eleanor’s fashion brand, Eleanor Waldorf Designs, is retailed through Barney's and Bendel's. She once took Jenny on as an intern and later married Cyrus Rose, who was her divorce lawyer. In the 2021 sequel series, Eleanor and Cyrus host a Hanukkah dinner attended by Gideon & Max Wolfe and Kiki & Audrey Hope, during which she offers guidance to Kiki, a fellow designer who has been deceived by her husband.
Harold Waldorf
Harold Waldorf, played by John Shea in seasons one, two, and five, is Blair’s father who relocated to France with his partner Roman, a former model for Eleanor. Traditionally, he baked pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving but ceased the practice after Blair’s final holiday with him before his move. Harold returns during holidays accompanied by Roman and shares special moments with Blair, including gifting her a bulldog named Handsome Dan. When Blair faces controversy over her Yale admission, Harold initially supports her but later expresses disappointment upon discovering she misrepresented the truth to secure her acceptance. He stresses that Blair’s personal growth is more important than the college she attends. Currently residing in France, he manages a vineyard and owns a cat named Cat.
Georgina Sparks
Georgina Sparks, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg throughout seasons one to six, is a cunning figure from Serena’s past who resurfaces after escaping rehab. Her arrival causes Serena to relapse into former behaviors. Georgina attempts to destabilize Serena’s life and manipulates Dan until Blair intervenes and sends her to reform school. Later posing as a reformed Christian at church camp, she resumes her scheming ways by assisting in plots against Poppy and blackmailing Vanessa. After sabotaging Rufus and Lily’s wedding, Blair exiles her to Europe with Dorota’s assistance.
Georgina later returns secretly from exile in Belarus, claiming pregnancy with Dan’s child—a deception that ends when she takes their son Milo and leaves Dan. She reveals she now lives in Bedford, New York, married to a Wall Street intern but discontented with domestic life. At Blair’s wedding in season 5, Georgina assumes the role of the new anonymous narrator 'Gossip Girl' after the original disappears. She helps Dan write his follow-up book and appears in the series finale involved romantically with Jack Bass while assisting Blair and Chuck in resolving issues related to Bart Bass.
In the 2021 sequel series, Georgina resurfaces after discovering Kate’s identity as the new Gossip Girl.
Isabel Coates
Isabel Coates, portrayed by Nicole Fiscella during seasons one, two, and four, is one of Blair’s devoted friends who remains loyal despite losing her Queen Bee status. She shares a close friendship with Kati Farkas; they often coordinate their outfits. Isabel is also an accomplished concert pianist. Together with Penelope, she contributes to tensions between Blair and Serena when the Queen Bee title changes hands. Isabel’s sheer dress intended for the Snowflake Ball is used to embarrass Vanessa. Alongside Penelope and Nelly Yuki, she plans to name Emma Boardman as the new Queen Bee; however, Jenny ultimately claims that role. Initially resistant to having someone from Brooklyn carry on their legacy, Isabel and Penelope are eventually persuaded by Blair. Isabel returns alongside Kati at season four’s conclusion for a Constance reunion.
Kati Farkas
Kati Farkas, portrayed by Nan Zhang during seasons one, four, five, and six, serves as Blair’s devoted companion until she forfeits her status as Queen Bee. She shares a close friendship with Isabel Coates, with whom she often coordinates their attire. Kati's brother owns the apartment where Blair's Japanese-themed seventeenth birthday party takes place, a setting that enables the clandestine relationship between Blair and Chuck in season one. After spring break, her parents relocate her to Israel. She makes a return alongside Isabel for a Constance event toward the end of season four and competes against Penelope and Jessica for a spot as Blair's bridesmaid in season five. Throughout season six, Kati remains one of Blair's steadfast followers.
Dorota Kishlovsky
Dorota Kishlovsky, played by Zuzanna Szadkowski from the second episode onward, is the Waldorf family’s maid and serves as Blair’s closest confidante, often embodying a maternal role. The episode "Chasing Dorota" reveals her background as a Polish countess married to Stanisław through an arranged marriage, which led her to escape to America in 2004 and take up employment with the Waldorfs. After falling in love with Vanya, the Russian doorman at the van der Woodsens' residence, she divorces Stanisław. In "The Treasure of Serena Madre," Dorota discovers she is unexpectedly pregnant; she weds Vanya in "The Unblairable Lightness of Being" and welcomes their daughter Anastasia in the finale of season three. Cyrus purchases an apartment for the family in Queens. At the start of season five, Dorota pretends to be pregnant to cover for Blair’s pregnancy and later gives birth to a son named Leo.
In the series finale, although Gossip Girl’s identity is unveiled, Blair confesses that she had suspected Dorota all along. Zuzanna Szadkowski expressed surprise that Dorota was not revealed as Gossip Girl.
Dorota appears in the 2021 sequel series during Cyrus Rose’s Hanukkah celebration alongside Vanya (Aaron Schwartz) and their children Ana and Leo.
Carter Baizen
Carter Baizen, portrayed by Sebastian Stan from seasons one through three, is an alumnus of St. Jude's and a rival to both Nate and Chuck. Estranged from his parents and deprived of access to his trust fund, Carter has forged his own path—a fact he discloses to Serena prior to the cotillion. In season two, he returns to New York accompanied by the enigmatic Elle but becomes entangled with Blair, exacerbating her downward spiral before Serena and Chuck intervene and he departs. Carter reappears in the season two finale to inform Serena that he has located her father. The season three premiere reveals they spent their summer in Europe tracking down Serena’s father. When Serena fails to capture her father's attention, Carter confesses his feelings for her and they share a kiss. Their relationship ends when it comes to light that Carter abandoned Bree Buckley’s cousin at the altar, prompting the Buckley family to send him to Texas for labor in an oil field as restitution during Rufus and Lily's wedding. Serena attempts to win his freedom through a high-stakes poker game but does not succeed; she ultimately secures his release herself. Carter declines to rekindle their relationship, choosing instead to make amends independently before leaving. Subsequently, Carter deceives Serena about her father's whereabouts; upon discovering he had known all along but withheld this information to grow closer to her, she ejects him from the limo, causing tension between herself and Nate.
Headmistress Queller
Headmistress Queller, portrayed by Linda Emond during the first season and early second season, and later by Jan Maxwell in the latter part of season two and a single episode in season four, serves as the principal of both Constance Billiard School for Girls and St. Jude's School for Boys. Blair mentions encountering her during her Yale application process. Introduced as the new headmistress in season one, she quickly tackles disciplinary matters, such as an incident involving juniors at the swimming pool that risks expulsion unless the responsible party admits guilt. Serena confesses to the offense but avoids expulsion after Bart Bass intervenes financially with Queller; instead, Serena is assigned community service. In season two, Jenny skips classes to work at Eleanor Waldorf's studio and initially refuses Queller’s request to meet before eventually returning to Constance. Later, Blair consults Queller after being waitlisted at Yale; Queller assures her that Constance students are typically accepted if their academic records remain unblemished. Nevertheless, following Blair’s involvement in hazing Miss Carr—which leads to detention—Yale withdraws its offer. Blair's subsequent application to Sarah Lawrence is rejected due to this incident and only proceeds through Queller’s special consideration.
Penelope Shafai
Played by Amanda Setton across seasons one, two, four, and five, Penelope Shafai starts as a member of Blair’s inner circle before losing her status as queen bee. She frequently changes loyalties between Blair and Jenny. Notably, she backs Jenny’s ascent to Queen after Blair’s sabotage attempt and co-hosts Jenny’s party alongside Asher. Penelope ends her friendship with Jenny upon uncovering Jenny’s deception about Asher. As a national Merit Scholar, she is convinced by Chuck to vandalize Amanda Lasher’s hair, triggering a conflict between Dan and Serena. Together with Isabel, Penelope fuels the divide between Blair and Serena over the Queen title. She tries to secure Nate as her date for the Snowflake Ball to embarrass Vanessa and participates in efforts to crown Emma Boardman as Queen, although Jenny ultimately wins. Returning in season four as a Columbia University student and Hamilton House member, Penelope remains Blair’s steadfast lieutenant and leads her followers. In season five, she competes against Blair’s former allies for a position as bridesmaid at Blair’s wedding.
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams, portrayed by Dreama Walker in seasons one and two, is initially part of Blair’s clique until she is displaced and often switches allegiance between Blair and Jenny. She forgives Jenny after impressing the group by bringing Nate to dinner at Butter. Similar to Penelope, Hazel initially trusts Jenny regarding her lie about Asher but ends their friendship once the truth surfaces. Alongside Isabel and Penelope, she participates in publicly humiliating Vanessa at the Snowflake Ball. Hazel is frequently eager to find a boyfriend; Jenny blackmails her into treating Nelly Yuki better by reminding her of a previous hookup involving Hazel's cousin. She regularly follows Gossip Girl’s blog and once suffered withdrawal symptoms when cellphones were banned at Constance.
Nelly Yuki
Nelly Yuki, portrayed by Yin Chang in the first, second, and sixth seasons, serves as Blair's chief academic competitor. She is recognized as a Merit Scholar, Peabody Scholar, and finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search. With elite musical training under Itzhak Perlman and family real estate assets in Tribeca, Nelly endures sabotage from Blair during their SAT exams but briefly forges a friendship with her. Aligning with Blair during various power disputes, she exposes Jenny Humphrey as dishonest, effectively ending Jenny’s reign as Queen Bee. In season two, Nelly becomes part of Blair’s social circle but admits to manipulating Jenny to facilitate a change in leadership before rejoining the clique. Ultimately, she secures admission to Yale ahead of Blair following their rivalry. By season five, while still a Yale student, Nelly declines an invitation to be a bridesmaid at Blair’s wedding due to lingering hostility and is subsequently replaced. Returning in season six as a fashion journalist reviewing Blair’s debut collection, Nelly initially arouses suspicion of sabotage from Blair but ultimately delivers favorable reviews that enhance Blair’s fashion career. She also advises Dan against seeking inclusion in elite social groups and briefly shows romantic interest in him at a bar before being overlooked.
Jonathan Whitney
Jonathan Whitney appears in seasons two through four, played by Matt Doyle. He is Eric's former boyfriend and a member of the influential Whitney family. In the episode "The Goodbye Gossip Girl," Jonathan is mistakenly accused of being "Gossip Girl" after hacking into the website. After a brief absence in season three, he returns and joins Eric in challenging Jenny's authority at school, leading to conflicts that result in Eric becoming a target of Jenny’s clique. Following an incident where Jonathan is egged at a party, Eric orchestrates plans against Jenny's Cotillion event. Upon discovering Eric's alliance with Blair, Jonathan ends their relationship. In season four, he makes unsuccessful attempts to reconcile with Eric.
Diana Payne
Elizabeth Hurley portrays Diana Payne in season five as a shrewd and manipulative businesswoman. She encounters Nate Archibald in Los Angeles and embarks on a clandestine romance with him. After relocating to New York, Diana launches The NY Spectator, an online publication designed to rival the powerful gossip outlet Gossip Girl. Their relationship deteriorates amid jealousy and struggles for control; Diana reveals secrets such as Ivy and Charlie’s true identities and coerces Charlie into working for her under threat. It later emerges that Diana collaborated with Nate’s grandfather, William van der Bilt, orchestrating Nate’s employment as part of an elaborate plan. In episode 19, "It Girl Interrupted," Diana returns to The Spectator, confronts Nate, and meets his new girlfriend Lola Rhodes—who inadvertently discloses that Diana is Chuck’s biological mother. Nate investigates further and discovers that "Diana Payne" may be an alias.
Damien Dalgaard
Damien Dalgaard appears in seasons three and four, portrayed by Kevin Zegers. He is the son of the Belgian ambassador and operates as a drug dealer. Damien befriends Jenny Humphrey and exploits her as both a drug mule and dealer until she rejects his advances, ending their association. He demonstrates intelligence and athleticism, having attended boarding school alongside Serena. In season four, Damien assists Blair and Dan in tracking Juliet after supplying Juliet with drugs used to incapacitate Serena. He also provides sleeping pills to Eric and seeks revenge on Ben by manipulating Eric into failed schemes. When Dan and Nate expose Damien to his father, Damien loses his inheritance and begins blackmailing Eric over forged affidavits connected to Ben. He forces Eric into drug dealing to keep a low profile and obtains a $100,000 check from him before Ben threatens Damien to stay away from the Van der Woodsens while retrieving the check.
Louis Grimaldi
In seasons four and five, Hugo Becker brings to life Louis, the nephew of Albert II and the designated successor to Monaco's throne. Their paths cross in Paris early in season four when Louis meets Blair and begins developing feelings for her. To ensure Blair’s affection is genuine and not influenced by his royal status, he initially conceals his identity by posing as a chauffeur—though Blair eventually uncovers his true background. Blair initially turns him down, choosing to return to Manhattan and still harboring feelings for Chuck; she leaves Louis with her shoe as a means for him to find her again. By the season’s conclusion, Louis travels to New York intent on winning Blair over. They keep their meetings secret at first, aiming to avoid detection by his mother, Princess Sophie. Following an incident at a royal event disrupted by Chuck’s drunken outburst, Louis proposes to Blair. Despite Princess Sophie’s reservations about Blair’s suitability as a princess, Cyrus persuades her otherwise. Louis often prioritizes his mother’s opinions over Blair’s and remains uneasy about Blair’s history with Chuck, requiring frequent reassurance from Chuck himself. In Season 5, episode 13, their wedding is disrupted by a Gossip Girl video exposing Blair’s feelings for Chuck. Louis forgives her and resumes the ceremony but later confesses that their marriage is more of a contractual arrangement and "a show" rather than one founded on true love.
Juliet Sharp
Katie Cassidy portrays Juliet Sharp in season four as an enigmatic character whom Nate encounters during a date. Juliet possesses knowledge about the group that she keeps mostly hidden and encourages Vanessa to reconcile with Dan as part of a plan to help Nate win back Serena. She has a brother named Ben who is incarcerated and who attacks Nate’s father when Juliet attempts to intervene in their schemes. Nate becomes wary of Juliet’s secretive nature; she shows him an apartment she claims is hers but is not, maintaining a guarded exterior that conceals her genuine emotions toward Nate. After her brother's violent act, Juliet ends their relationship to protect Howard. Serena's professor Colin provides Juliet with a cheque—later revealed to be financial support from her cousin, who is unaware of Juliet's vendetta against Serena. Aligning with Vanessa and Jenny, Juliet orchestrates efforts to undermine Serena, culminating in Serena's admission to the Ostroff Center for treatment. She extorts Lily with monthly payments by threatening to reveal Serena’s secrets but eventually departs town to avoid escalating conflicts with Blair and others. Later suspecting that some are aware of her actions, Juliet returns to Manhattan to confess to Serena that Lily was responsible for her brother's incarceration. They reconcile before Juliet leaves again, promising no further harm; however, Nate remains distrustful, causing Juliet emotional pain as she departs.
Ben Donovan
In season four, David Call portrays Ben Donovan, Juliet's brother who was wrongfully convicted on charges of statutory rape and transporting a minor across state lines—a crime fabricated using Serena's forged signature. He serves a five-year prison sentence while he and Juliet plan revenge against Serena without resorting to physical harm. It is later disclosed that Lily, Serena's mother, orchestrated Ben’s imprisonment as a means to ensure Serena would return to Constance.
Following a visit from Serena aimed at reconciliation, Ben develops a romantic relationship with her. Additionally, he threatens Damien, warning him to stay away from the Van Der Woodsen family.
Russell Thorpe
In season four, Michael Boatman portrays Russell Thorpe, a former associate and longtime confidant of Bart Bass. After Bart undermined many of his business ventures, Russell moved to Chicago to reconstruct his real estate holdings. He later comes back to the Upper East Side accompanied by his daughter Raina, with the intent to take over Bass Industries and challenge the established elite families.
Russell shares history with Lily and disapproves of Raina’s involvement with Chuck. He alleges that Bart Bass was responsible for the death of his wife Avery Thorpe in a fire at one of Bart’s properties. Nevertheless, Chuck discovers surveillance footage revealing that Russell himself ignited the blaze, mistakenly believing Bart was inside. Russell struck a deal with Bart: he would escape to Chicago if Bart accepted the blame and never mentioned Avery again.
Raina Thorpe
Played by Tika Sumpter in season four, Raina Thorpe is Russell's intelligent daughter and serves as vice-president of his firm. Initially misidentified by Chuck Bass as an assistant, she is later unveiled as a principal figure in their effort to acquire Bass Industries. She confesses that her father facilitated the takeover by alerting a prospective buyer and briefly becomes romantically involved with Chuck.
Upon learning the truth about her mother Avery’s demise—linked to Bart Bass—Raina distances herself from her father but eventually supports Blair and Chuck in exposing him. She also forms a romantic connection with Nate Archibald after uncovering her family’s hidden past.
Guest stars
Reed Birney features as Mr. Prescott, an educator at Constance Billard and St. Judes during seasons one and two. Jill Flint takes on the role of Bex Simon, Lily's art dealer and a minor romantic interest for Rufus. Rufus' ex-wife Alison Humphrey, mother to Dan and Jenny, is portrayed by Susie Misner in the first season.
Mädchen Amick appears as Duchess Catherine Beaton in season two, engaging briefly with Nate. Her stepson, Lord Marcus Beaton (Patrick Heusinger), masquerades as a college student while involved with Blair; after their affair with his stepmother is uncovered, Blair coerces them into leaving the country. Tamara Feldman plays Poppy Lifton, a friend of Serena’s in seasons two and six. Poppy’s boyfriend Gabriel Edwards (Armie Hammer) exploits Serena to embezzle funds from Lily. John Patrick Amedori portrays Aaron Rose, an artist and Serena's love interest during season two before she returns to Dan.
Willa Holland embodies Agnes Andrews, a model who befriends Jenny; their initial business alliance deteriorates into rivalry. Kevin Stapleton appears as Andrew Tyler, a detective employed by Bart and Chuck across seasons two and four. Aaron Schwartz plays Vanya, Lily’s doorman who marries Dorota; their family expands throughout seasons two to five. Laura Breckenridge portrays Rachel Carr, Dan's teacher and romantic interest in season two.
In season three, Joanna Garcia takes on Bree Buckley, whose family feud with Nate leads to a "Romeo and Juliet" style romance ending their relationship. Hilary Duff stars as Olivia Burke, a renowned actress who dates Dan but ends things when he still harbors feelings for Vanessa. Deanna Russo plays K.C. Cunningham, Olivia’s publicist and Serena’s former employer during seasons three and four. Laura Harring appears as Elizabeth Fisher, Chuck's mother who reveals her abandonment history and ties to Chuck’s enterprise. Sherri Saum is Holland Kemble, hired by William van der Woodsen to create discord between Rufus and Lily’s marriage. Luke Kleintank portrays Elliot Leichter, Eric's bisexual partner in seasons three and four. Alice Callahan acts as Jessica, one of Blair’s followers at Columbia University.
Clémence Poésy appears as Eva Coupeau early in season four; she rescues Chuck from death and inspires his philanthropic shift. Despite Blair’s efforts to undermine them by exposing Eva’s past as a sex worker, Chuck forgives her but later becomes wary due to Blair’s manipulation; Eva departs heartbroken for France. Jayne Atkinson plays Dean Reuther of Columbia University during season four. Samuel Page portrays Colin Forrester, Juliet's cousin who also serves as Serena’s college professor and brief lover.
Sheila Kelley is Carol Rhodes, Lily’s sister who arrives alongside Ivy posing as her daughter Charlie to gain access to Charlie’s trust fund in seasons four and five. Brian J. Smith portrays Max Harding, Ivy’s former boyfriend who blackmails her after uncovering her deceit during season five. Michael Michele plays Jane, a film producer who briefly employs Serena. Marina Squerciati features as Alessandra Steele, Dan's publicist for his book.
In season five, Roxane Mesquida portrays Béatrice Grimaldi, Louis’ disapproving sister; Marc Menard acts as Father Cavalia, a priest connected to Blair’s fiancé Louis. Amanda Perez appears as Tina, Nate’s assistant at The Spectator.
Cameo appearances
- The Pierces ("Hi, Society")
- Lisa Loeb ("Woman on the Verge", "New York, I Love You XOXO")
- Sylvia Weinstock ("Woman on the Verge", "Rhodes to Perdition")
- Ebony J Lewis ("Much 'I Do' About Nothing")
- Tinsley Mortimer ("Summer Kind of Wonderful", "The Serena Also Rises")
- Cristina Greeven Cuomo, Michael Kors ("The Serena Also Rises")
- Christian Coulson ("Touch of Eva")
- Honor Brodie, Ariel Foxman ("Chuck in Real Life")
- Cyndi Lauper ("Bonfire of the Vanity")
- Nastia Liukin, Jennifer Damiano ("It's a Wonderful Lie")
- Charles Isherwood ("The Age of Dissonance")
- Patrick McMullan ("Remains of the J")
- Ashley Hinshaw, Nacho Figueras, Alexandra Richards ("Reversals of Fortune")
- Sean MacPherson ("The Lost Boy")
- Tory Burch, Tyra Banks, Georgina Chapman ("Dan de Fleurette")
- Kim Gordon ("Rufus Getting Married")
- Jimmy Fallon ("The Grandfather: Part II")
- Plastiscines ("They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?")
- Lady Gaga ("The Last Days of Disco Stick")
- Alexandra Carl ("The Hurt Locket")
- Deadmau5 ("The Empire Strikes Jack")
- Lou Doillon, Karlie Kloss, Willy Wong, Danielle Billinkoff, Meredith Melling Burke ("Belles de Jour")
- Hamish Bowles, Charlotte Ronson, Diane von Fürstenberg, Alessandra Ambrosio ("The Undergraduates")
- Kick Kennedy ("Touch of Eva")
- Tim Gunn, Jared Kushner, Isaac Mizrahi, Ivanka Trump ("Easy J")
- Cynthia Rowley, Joe Zee, Rachel Zoe, Robyn ("War at the Roses")
- Darci Kistler, Peter Martins, Gillian Murphy, Ethan Stiefel ("Juliet Doesn't Live Here Anymore")
- John DeLucie ("The Witches of Bushwick")
- Minnie Mortimer ("The Townie")
- Stefano Tonchi ("Damien Darko")
- Robert Ackroyd, Florence and the Machine ("Panic Roommate")
- Cecily von Ziegesar, David O. Russell ("The Wrong Goodbye")
- Zoë Bell, Jenny Lewis, Johnathan Rice ("Yes, Then Zero")
- Sloane Crosley ("Memoirs of an Invisible Dan")
- Elizabeth Quinn Brown ("Rhodes to Perdition")
- Matthew Lynch ("Riding in Town Cars with Boys")
- Vera Wang ("The End of the Affair")
- Dick Cavett ("Con-Heir")
- Kristen Bell, Rachel Bilson, Michael Bloomberg ("New York, I Love You XOXO")
- Jonathan Karp ("Simon and Schuster- Dan's publisher")
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