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Casting Insights: The Actresses Considered for Young Lily van der Woodsen in ‘Gossip Girl’ Spin-off
Gossip Girl casting director David Rapaport recently disclosed details about the planned spin-off series focusing on Serena van der Woodsen’s mother, Lily van der Woodsen, a role originally portrayed by Kelly Rutherford. Rapaport revealed that actresses Brittany Snow and Krysten Ritter were cast in the pilot episode.
Intriguing Auditions and Near Misses
Speaking on the XOXO podcast, Rapaport recounted some of the notable actresses who auditioned for the part of a younger Lily van der Woodsen. “I recall Dakota Johnson and Rooney Mara auditioning, among many other actresses who have since achieved significant recognition but were not as established at the time,” he stated.
He further highlighted one audition that particularly impressed him. “You know who delivered an exceptional audition for that role? Nina Dobrev. It was genuinely one of the most outstanding auditions I have ever witnessed, specifically for that character,” Rapaport affirmed.
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Nina Dobrev’s Standout Audition
According to Rapaport, he immediately recognized Dobrev’s talent, informing network executives that she possessed “superstar” potential.
However, a significant obstacle emerged. “The challenge,” he explained, “was that she did not physically resemble Kelly Rutherford, which was a crucial aspect as she was intended to portray a younger version of Kelly Rutherford.”
Advocating for Future Opportunities
Despite the casting mismatch for the Lily van der Woodsen role, Rapaport emphasized to the network the importance of keeping the Degrassi: The Next Generation alumna in mind for future projects. “I urged them, ‘You need to find a project for her,'” he recalled. “I distinctly remember thinking, ‘I am certain I will reflect on this in the years to come and realize we overlooked a significant opportunity.’ Her performance was truly remarkable!”