Season Five is the fifth season of Gossip Girl, the American teen drama based upon the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar and developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The CW officially renewed the series for a fifth season with 24 episode on April 26, 2011 and it aired from September 26, 2011 to May 14, 2012. It was scheduled for Mondays at 8:00 PM.
Kaylee DeFer as Ivy Dickens was upgraded to series regular.
Notable Plots
- The season premiere (Yes, Then Zero) was set in Los Angeles, California, where Serena has a job on a film set.
- Nate begins an affair with Diana Payne, an older woman who has many secrets, and begins working at The NY Spectator. Ivy, still posing as Charlie, also works there.
- Dan's first book, Inside, is published.*There is a love triangle between Blair, Chuck and Louis.
- Blair is pregnant with Louis' baby but ultimately loses it. The two get married, then divorced.*Dan and Blair begin a romantic relationship.*Charlie's real identity is revealed to everyone, as is who put her up to it and why.
- Gossip Girl's identity is revealed: but is it the real one?
- The van der Woodsen/Rhodes family dynamic changes after a shocking revelation is made, surrounding the real Charlie, Lola Rhodes and the death of another family member.
- Everyone is rocked by the return of Bart Bass to the Upper East Side.*Serena and Blair face problems in their friendship because Blair is dating Dan who Serena still loves.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen (Appears in 24/24 episodes)
- Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf (Appears in 24/24 episodes)
- Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey (Appears in 24/24 episodes)
- Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald (Appears in 24/24 episodes)
- Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass (Appears in 24/24 episodes)
- Kaylee DeFer as Charlie Rhodes/Ivy Dickens (Appears in 17/24 episodes)
- Kelly Rutherford as Lily van der Woodsen (Appears in 19/24 episodes)
- Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey (Appears in 23/24 episodes)
- Kristen Bell as Gossip Girl (Voice only and uncredited, 24/24 episodes)
Recurring/Guest Cast[]
- Michelle Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks
- Zuzanna Szadkowski as Dorota Kishlovsky
- Margaret Colin as Eleanor Waldorf
- Wallace Shawn as Cyrus Rose
- Amanda Setton as Penelope Shafai
- Nan Zhang as Kati Farkas
- Desmond Harrington as Jack Bass
- William Baldwin as William van der Woodsen
- Ella Rae Peck as Lola Rhodes
- Sheila Kelley as Carol Rhodes
- Caroline Lagerfelt as CeCe Rhodes
- John Shea as Harold Waldorf
- Hugo Becker as Louis Grimaldi
- Joanne Whalley as Sophie Grimaldi
- Roxane Mesquida as Beatrice Grimaldi
- Elizabeth Hurley as Diana Payne
- Aaron Tveit as Tripp van der Bilt
- James Naughton as William van der Bilt
- Brian J. Smith as Max Harding
- Alice Callahan as Jessica Leitenberg
- Robert John Burke as Bart Bass
- Marc Menard as Father Cavalia
- Michael Michele as Jane Bettinger
- Ethan Peck as Marshall
- Jay McInerney as Jeremiah Harris
Episodes[]
# | Image | Title | Viewers | Airdate |
---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Yes, Then Zero | 1.37 | September 26, 2011 | |
While working as a production assistant in Hollywood, Serena makes a mistake while trying to impress her new boss. Chuck and Nate also arrive in California, and Nate gets involved with a mysterious older woman. Meanwhile, Blair and Louis return to New York from Monaco after spending the summer planning their wedding. Also, Dan gets help from Louis in a desperate attempt to prevent an exposing chapter from being published in a magazine and Blair is hiding a major secret from everyone.
Title comes from the 1987 film Less Than Zero. | ||||
02 | Beauty and the Feast | 1.34 | October 3, 2011 | |
Nate reconnects unexpectedly with Diana, the woman from LA, who offers him an exciting job opportunity. Meanwhile, Serena asks her cousin Charlie to come back to New York with her. Dan seeks out Chuck's help to stop the publication of his book, but discovers it is Chuck who needs help. Blair's future sister-in-law, Beatrice, arrives from Monaco, but her motives with Blair may be more than just to get acquainted.
Title reference: From the 1992 film, Beauty and the Beast. | ||||
03 | The Jewel of Denial | 1.27 | October 10, 2011 | |
Serena and Charlie return to New York. Meanwhile, Dan goes to his old mentor Noah Shapiro for advice on how to handle his book's release and Chuck tries to break through his emotional block physically. Unknowingly, Nate is persuaded by Diana to cross moral lines. A reluctant Blair decides she does not want to learn who the father of her unborn child is but Dan has different plans.
Title reference: From the 1985 film, The Jewel of the Nile. | ||||
04 | Memoirs of an Invisible Dan | 1.16 | October 17, 2011 | |
After much deliberation, Dan decides to reveal the truth about his book in the hope that his friends and family will support him; but the reactions are definitely not what he hoped. Meanwhile, Blair and Louis hit a roadblock after Louis reads exposing information in Dan's book. Diana learns incriminating information about one of Nate's friends and uses it to her advantage.
Title reference: From the 1992 film, Memoirs of an Invisible Man. | ||||
05 | The Fasting and the Furious | 1.36 | October 24, 2011 | |
In the midst of celebrating Yom Kippur with family and friends, Blair and Louis find themselves in a power struggle with Louis' family. Serena's boss puts her in the awkward position of choosing between her new job and her relationship with Dan. Diana prepares to debut the New York Spectator, but an unfortunate last-minute surprise delays the launch and Diana expects Nate to do whatever it takes to save the day.
Title reference: From the 2001 film, The Fast and the Furious. | ||||
06 | I Am Number Nine | 1.26 | November 7, 2011 | |
Blair makes all of her former minions and Charlie compete to secure the coveted bridesmaid spots in her upcoming royal wedding. Nate is tired of keeping his relationship with Diana a secret, so he decides to make her jealous with an unlikely ally. Meanwhile, Jane is determined to acquire the film rights to Dan's book, so Serena must put her personal feelings about Dan and the book aside in order to close the deal and make it happen.
Title reference: From the 2011 film, I Am Number Four. | ||||
07 | The Big Sleep No More | 1.24 | November 14, 2011 | |
At the “Sleep No More,” production, plenty of surprising romantic twists by the end of the evening are in store. Meanwhile, Diana sets her sights on Serena in her quest to ruin Gossip Girl. Dan is out on his book tour, but things aren’t exactly as they appear to his friends and family.
Title reference: From the 1946 film, The Big Sleep and the 2011 theatrical production, Sleep No More. | ||||
08 | All the Pretty Sources | 1.35 | November 21, 2011 | |
Serena throws Blair a wedding shower. Meanwhile, Chuck and Dan decide to go out together to distract themselves since they weren't invited to. Max blackmails Ivy and Louis makes a decision that threatens his relationship with Blair.
Title reference: From the 2000 film, All the Pretty Horses. | ||||
09 | Rhodes to Perdition | 1.32 | November 28, 2011 | |
Blair attempts to find out what caused Chuck to become a good man so that she can do the same with Louis. Meanwhile, Nate becomes the editor chief of the Spectator and suspects that a story that Maureen is cheating on his cousin Tripp is actually a lie. Carol returns to New York to help Ivy, who's being blackmailed by Max.
Title reference: From the 2002 film, Road to Perdition. | ||||
10 | Riding in Town Cars With Boys | 1.28 | December 5, 2011 | |
Serena and Lily prepare Ivy as Charlie for her first debutante ball to welcome her to the New York society, but Max is willing to do anything to proove everyone that she's a fraud. Serena is jealous of Dan's feelings towards. Blair and Chuck declare their love for each other, but a shocking event will change their lives forever.
Title reference: From the 2001 film, Riding in Cars with Boys. | ||||
11 | The End of the Affair? | 1.29 | January 16, 2012 | |
Through a series of emotional flashbacks, Blair reveals to Serena what really happened in the aftermath of her tragic car accident with Chuck. Meanwhile, Nate discovers information about the accident that suggests possible foul play. Lily is worried by Charlie's long absence and decides to hire a private detective to track her down but the results might point to something else entirely.
Title reference: From the 1999 film, The End of the Affair. | ||||
12 | Father and the Bride | 1.11 | January 23, 2012 | |
Blair prepares to celebrate her upcoming royal wedding with a bachelorette party, but is unaware of someone else's plans to make it a night to really remember. After discovering the truth behind Chuck and Blair's car accident, Nate joins forces with a surprising ally to gather the evidence. Serena and Dan pretend to be dating again to protect someone close to them.
Title reference: From the 1991 film, Father of the Bride. | ||||
13 | G.G. | 1.39 | January 30, 2012 | |
In the much anticipated 100th episode, Blair and Louis' wedding day finally arrives. Also, while Chuck wrestles with the reality that Blair is about to walk down the aisle with Prince Louis, the return of Georgina Sparks might make the royal affair a royal disaster. The identity of Gossip Girl is also revealed.
Title reference: From the 1958 film, Gigi. | ||||
14 | The Backup Dan | 1.25 | February 6, 2012 | |
Blair must make a difficult decision about her future, the consequences of which could hurt those she loves most. Serena takes the blame for an incident with Gossip Girl in order to protect someone she loves. Georgina seeks out the scent of scandal and decides to follow its trail.
Title reference: From the 2010 film, The Back-up Plan. | ||||
15 | Crazy Cupid Love | 1.13 | February 13, 2012 | |
It's Valentine's Day on the Upper East Side and Blair can't resist playing cupid for someone she loves. Georgina is intent of stirring up more drama, so she decides to crash Nate's Valentine's Day party. Meanwhile, Serena is shocked by something she witnesses at the party. Charlie also returns to the UES.
Title reference: From the 2011 film, Crazy, Stupid, Love. | ||||
16 | Cross Rhodes | 1.00 | February 20, 2012 | |
Dan feels honored when he learns that Upright Citizen's Brigade is performing excerpts from his book, Inside. Blair tries to prove Serena's suspicions wrong in order to save their friendship. On her way out of town, Ivy ends up on a collision course with the van der Woodsers as they're about to deal with a life changing event.
Title reference: From the 1986 film, Crossroads. | ||||
17 | The Princess Dowry | 1.11 | February 27, 2012 | |
Blair thinks Cyrus may have found a potential loophole in her prenup, but things don't go according to plan. Chuck and Georgina partner up in a scheme, but it has an unpredictable outcome. Meanwhile, a family crisis brings William van der Woodsen back to the Upper East Side. Also, a new relationship comes to light that will shock everyone.
Title reference: From the 2001 film, The Princess Diaries | ||||
18 | Con-Heir | 0.97 | April 2, 2012 | |
Chuck invites Jack to town, but finds the trip causes more questions than anything else. Blair and Dan attempt to consummate their new relationship but unexpected roadblocks get in their way. Meanwhile, Ivy finds an unlikely ally in her quest to be accepted on the Upper East Side, and Nate is hopeful a new investor will save his newspaper.
Title reference: From the 1997 film, Con Air. | ||||
19 | It-Girl Interrupted | 0.98 | April 9, 2012 | |
Serena decides she is ready to relinquish the spotlight and sets out to make a reluctant Lola the next "It Girl" of the Upper East Side, starting with modeling at a Kiki de Montparnasse lingerie show. Meanwhile, Chuck reaches out to Blair for advice about his past, and Diana Payne's return to The Spectator starts a power struggle with Nate.
Title reference: From the 1999 film, Girl, Interrupted. | ||||
20 | Salon of the Dead | 1.06 | April 16, 2012 | |
To celebrate their official coming out as a couple, Blair and Dan host a glamorous British-themed Salon. Lola lands the audition of a lifetime, but Gossip Girl may have other plans for the Upper East Side's latest It Girl. Meanwhile, Lily and Rufus disagree over the best way to handle the Ivy situation, and Serena and Diana face off over things they both would prefer remain secrets.
Title reference: From the 2004 film, Shaun of the Dead. | ||||
21 | Despicable B | 0.99 | April 23, 2012 | |
Blair feels like her Upper East Side status might be slipping away and devises a plan to assure that doesn't happen. Meanwhile, Lily throws a family gathering in an attempt to prove the van der Woodsen family is as united as ever. Finally, Nate digs into Diana's past and is surprised by what he discovers.
Title reference: From the 2010 film, Despicable Me. | ||||
22 | Raiders of the Lost Art | 1.02 | April 30, 2012 | |
Chuck, Nate, Blair, Serena and Lola team up to uncover what they think is an explosive secret between Diana and Jack. Meanwhile, Dan is offered a prestigious fellowship in Rome for the summer but is worried about what it means for his relationship with Blair. Also, a shocking reveal will change Chuck's life forever.
Title reference: From the 1981 film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. | ||||
23 | The Fugitives | 0.83 | May 7, 2012 | |
Blair enlists Serena to be her stand-in at an important meeting when she finds herself needing to be in two places at the same time. Meanwhile, Ivy and Lola team up to help Chuck with a personal vendetta, and Nate makes a decision about the future with Diana Payne.
Title reference: From the 1993 film, The Fugitive. | ||||
24 | The Return of the Ring | 1.17 | May 14, 2012 | |
When Gossip Girl goes after Blair as she's never done before, Serena admits she may have unintentionally played an important role in Blair's latest nightmare. Meanwhile, Nate invites Lola to move in with him, and Lily must make a big decision about the future of her marriage. Finally, Blair must make a choice between the two men in her life.
Title reference: From the 2003 film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. |
Previous Season: | Next Season: |
Season 4 | Season 6 |
Gallery[]
Production[]
The CW officially renewed the series for a fifth season on April 26, 2011.
On May 19, 2011, with the reveal of The CW's 2011-2012 television schedule, Gossip Girl stayed on Monday night and moved to the 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central timeslot as a lead-in to Hart of Dixie, which is produced by Gossip Girl's executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The fifth season will premiere on Monday, September 26, 2011.
Filming for the season began on July 7, 2011. On August 3, 2011, The CW ordered two additional episodes for the fifth season, which will now total at 24. Executive producer Joshua Safran announced that he will be "pulling out all the stops" to make the 100th episode of the show special. The 100th episode is expected to air in January.
Cast[]
Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick are all confirmed to return as series regulars. Kaylee DeFer has been upgraded to series regular status, while Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr have been invited back as guest stars. Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle will also return as regulars.
On April 6, 2011 10 Things I Hate About You star Ethan Peck reportedly landed a guest-starring role on the show. Peck made his debut in the fourth season finale and was in talks with producers for a recurring role for the fifth season. French actress and model Roxane Mesquida was cast as Louis' sister and Blair's nemesis in a recurring role for the fifth season. Actress Elizabeth Hurley has been cast as media mogul Diana Payne and will star in a multi-episode arc with the character being described as "a sexy, smart, self-made media mogul and an all-around force to be reckoned with." Lost actor, Marc Menard joined the cast in the potentially recurring role of Father Cavalia, a handsome priest from Monaco who will preside over Blair's wedding. Brian J. Smith has been cast as a possible love-interest for Serena while she is in Los Angeles. Hugo Becker will return as a recurring character.
Connor Paolo, who is now a regular on Revenge won't return as Eric van der Woodsen stating, “I’m done. You should never go back in life. Only forward.” On August 16, 2011, Taylor Momsen told Elle magazine that she had quit the series, to focus fully on her music career.
Plot[]
Season Five opens in Los Angeles, where a vacationing Chuck and Nate decide to visit Serena. Back in New York, Blair learns that planning a royal wedding can be stressful and mother. Dan discovers the consequences of writing candidly about his closest friends. Also, the surprise return of cousin Charlie threatens to destroy the Van der Woodsen family.