Premiered: July 8, 2021

On: HBO Max

Starring: Jordan Alexander, Whitney Peak, Tavi Gevinson, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Jonathan Fernandez, Adam Chanler-Berat, Zión Moreno, Savannah Lee Smith, Jason Gotay, Todd Almond, Laura Benanti, Grace Duah, John Benjamin Hickey, Megan Ferguson, Luke Kirby, Elizabeth Lail, Jeremy O. Harris, Princess Nokia, Billy Porter, Marc Shaiman, Donna Murphy, Lyne Renée, Malcolm McDowell, Hettienne Park, Lucy Punch, Edmund Donovan, Kathryn Gallagher, Amanda Warren & Kristen Bell

With new forms of social media and ways to target people online, it’s no surprise Gossip Girl has returned. However, a cast of almost entirely unlikable characters and no element of surprise turns Gossip Girl from queen bee to bottom of the barrel.

Zoya Lott (Whitney Peak) begins attending Constance Billiard after reconnecting with her half-sister Julien Calloway (Jordan Alexander). Meanwhile, the teachers are tired of the way they’re being treated and decide to revolt against the wealthy students.

While the identity behind Gossip Girl in the original series was hidden for six seasons, here it’s revealed in episode one.

The only saving graces are the ever-tortured Max (Thomas Doherty) and his sexual identity questioning best friend Aki (Evan Mock). Their story is fun, modern and extremely steamy.

Final say: You can sign off now. ★★☆☆☆