Although HBO Max’s short-lived reboot focused a little more on teachers dealing with privileged and affluent students, the original CW version of Gossip Girl it focused on the teenagers themselves and their family dramas. There wasn’t much room for the adults, and when they showed up, they weren’t necessarily better behaved.
However, not all auditions went well at the time of the television series
While discussing his role in the Peacock limited series, Mrs. Davisthe actress Betty Gilpin talked about the audition that took place for Gossip Girl, which you can catch up on the Prime Video streaming platform. The former student of GLOW she hilariously recalls failing the audition, but still leaving such an impression that she says “you can come back as the haunted teacher“, even if at the time the Gilpin he was only 21 years old:
“I have a photo somewhere of the waiting room corridor, and there were 50 of us, all sitting in the tightest clothes possible, staring into space. I wore mismatched Converse and teal wide-leg pants and purple wizard sleeves. My hair was unbrushed and I was without makeup. I was just thinking, “I’m here to make art and live the character of Gossip Girl.” The producers told me, “Your portrayal of a very disturbed woman makes you look 45,” even though I was 21 or so at the time. So they continued, “You can come back as the haunted teacher.” And in the email they wrote, “Please come back in makeup, dressed differently and in high heels,” in bold. And then, of course, I didn’t get the part.”
Gossip Girlover the course of its airing, included both celebrity guests who played themselves, as well as a cameo by Lady Gagabut also several rising stars. Armie Hammerfor example, played a love interest of Serena (Blake Lively). Kristen Ritterwas the sister of Lily (Kelly Rutherford) in a flashback. Also Brittany Snow played the character of Lily in flashbacks. The two characters should have been the protagonists of a prequel to Gossip Girl, focused on the youthful years of adults, but the project never saw the light of day.
The original Gossip Girldid, however, have its share of wild teacher storylines, so Betty Gilpin it could have fitted perfectly. As the three-time Emmy nominee proved with Mrs. Davisis perfectly capable of playing with the absurd and leaning towards more naughty scenarios if the project calls for it.
