Hey, Upper East Siders. Did you miss Gossip Girl? Because she is officially coming back. Yes, you read that right: 24 years after the first book was released and over 13 years after the last episode of the CW series aired, we are headed back to the Gossip Girl world with a brand-new prequel book.
Nostalgia is at an all-time high, with sequels and prequels being announced seemingly every other day, and Gossip Girl is the latest franchise to jump on the bandwagon. As confirmed by Deadline on February 4, 2026, original Gossip Girl author Cecily von Ziegesar is picking the pen back up and writing a new book in the universe: a prequel centered on fan-favorite Manhattan socialite Blair Waldorf, which will be aptly titled Blair.
Alloy Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Discovery Company, has sold the rights of Blair to be published by Grand Central Publishing in the US and Orion Fiction in the UK in what’s being described as “a major deal.” Alloy Entertainment is behind some of the most popular book-to-screen adaptations, including not only Gossip Girl, but also You, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, and more.
Cecily von Ziegesar published the first novel in the Gossip Girl franchise in 2002, racking up millions of sales and accolades. Multiple novels followed after, including a prequel titled It Had to Be You, and two spin-off series, The It Girl and The Carlyles. In 2007, the saga was also famously adapted into TV by the CW, with The O.C. alums Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage leading the charge. The show ran for six seasons, culminating in 2012.
If you want to know everything about Blair, we’ve collected all the information we know so far below.
When does the new Gossip Girl book Blair come out?
Though no specific date has yet been announced, Blair is currently scheduled for a tentative release in the summer of 2027.
What will Blair be about?
Blair will be a standalone novel centered on Blair Waldorf. The book will reportedly follow the character, now in her 40s, as she returns to New York City “to climb her way back to the top of the Upper East Side food chain.” Specific plot details are being kept under wraps.
What are the differences between book Blair and show Blair?
If you were a fan of the Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage's show but did not read Cecily von Ziegesar's book series, there are some key differences to pay attention to before reading Blair.
In the books, Blair Waldorf's story ends with her prioritizing her career and enrolling at Yale Law and not NYU. Beyond her alma mater, there are also various other differences between the Blair we get to know in the books versus the show, especially when it pertains to her personal relationships.
Unlike in the TV show, book Blair does not end up marrying and having a child with Chuck Bass. In fact, she does not date him at all. Instead, her main love story is with Nate Archibald. She also has a history with Serena's brother, Erik Van Der Woodsen. And, well, we'll leave it at that in case you want to dive into the series for more differences before Blair comes out.
Will Blair be adapted into TV or film?
For now, it appears Blair will be available only in book form, as no plans for a TV or film adaptation have been made public. However, there's always a chance. As noted by Deadline, Alloy Entertainment holds the film and television rights to Blair, which could lead to a scripted project down the line, and the differences between the book and show storylines will likely be addressed then.
Though for now it's just wishful thinking, speculation seems to be rampant, especially since Meester would be a perfect age to step into the iconic shoes of Blair Waldorf once again—the actor is 39 years old at the time of the book announcement.
The last Gossip Girl project to make it onto our screens was the short-lived HBO Max reboot, which premiered in 2021. At the time the show premiered, Meester was asked about potentially returning to the world of Gossip Girl and said: "I feel really good sort of sitting back and leaving it to the kids, to the young, new generation, they're doing so awesome."So, that's all I'll say, for now, you know. You never say never."
Maybe this could be her never? We shall have to wait and see!
This post will be updated as news about Gossip Girl prequel book Blair breaks.
