Blair Waldorf, aka the Queen B of Upper East Side, is poised for a comeback in a new standalone novel titled Blair, penned by original series creator Cecily von Ziegesar.
Reports suggest that Alloy Entertainment has closed a major deal for the book with Grand Central Publishing. Alloy Entertainment will retain film and television rights, in keeping with its long-standing strategy of licensing publishing rights while holding onto adaptation potential. While no screen project has been announced, the property is expected to draw interest from the television world.
Set two decades after the original bestselling series, the story follows an Upper East Side socialite in her '40s as she returns to New York City with plans to reclaim her status at the top of Manhattan’s social hierarchy. The novel is currently slated for a Summer 2027 release.
First published in 2002, the Gossip Girl novel series sold more than six million copies worldwide, was translated into 25 languages and spent over 100 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. Alloy later adapted the books into the hugely successful six-season television series for The CW in 2007, created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage in partnership with Warner Bros. Television. The franchise expanded further with a two-season revival on HBO Max in 2021, cementing its status as a lasting pop-culture phenomenon.
Gossip Girl, the series was originally adapted from von Ziegesar’s bestselling young adult novels and enjoyed a hugely successful television run from 2007 to 2012, which boosted the careers of Blake Lively, Penn Badgley and Chace Crawford. A more recent HBO Max reboot featuring a new cast struggled to recreate the original’s impact, and earned mixed reviews before being cancelled after two seasons.
It's unclear if Leighton Meester would be open to reprising the role that made her a fan favourite. The actor recently reflected on her Gossip Girl legacy at last year’s SAG Awards, and appeared in a playful skit alongside the show’s narrator, Kristen Bell.
For more updates, join/follow our WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube channels.