Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the original Gossip Girl novels, is writing a standalone sequel focusing on Blair Waldorf, with a planned release in Summer 2027, according to an exclusive report from Deadline.
The new novel, simply titled Blair, will revisit the character two decades after the events of the original series. Von Ziegesar’s return to the franchise was confirmed by Alloy Entertainment, which sold the book rights to Grand Central Publishing in the U.S. And Orion Fiction in the UK in what sources described as a “major deal.”
The story will center on Blair Waldorf in her 40s as she attempts to reassert herself within Manhattan’s elite social circles, returning to the “Upper East Side food chain,” as described by Deadline. Alloy Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Discovery Company, retains film and television rights to the novel, following its established practice of licensing only book publishing rights.
The original Gossip Girl novel, published in 2002, achieved significant commercial success, selling over 6 million copies and remaining on the New York Times bestsellers list for more than 100 weeks. The series spawned multiple sequels, prequels – including It Had to Be You – and spin-off series, such as The It Girl and The Carlyles. It was also adapted into a popular CW television series that ran for six seasons, concluding in 2012.
Alloy Entertainment has a track record of successful book-to-screen adaptations, including You, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars. While no immediate plans for a television adaptation of Blair have been announced, the company’s ownership of the rights suggests potential for future development, according to Deadline. Sara Shandler of The Book Group represented von Ziegesar in the deal, while Josh Bank, Joelle Hobeika, and Jess Harriton are overseeing the project for Alloy’s book division, alongside Alloy president and chief creative officer Leslie Morgenstein.
The forthcoming novel will differ from the original Gossip Girl series and its 2021 reboot in its focused narrative. Rather than an ensemble cast, Blair will primarily follow the experiences of Waldorf, offering a deeper exploration of her life and ambitions in middle age.
