The revival of HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reached its dramatic conclusion with the finale of its second and final season, delivering a climactic moment reminiscent of the infamous elevator encounter between Solange and Jay-Z.
Showrunner Josh Safran engaged in a discussion with TVLine regarding the finale’s surprising twists and how these developments would have influenced a now-canceled third season. To begin, here’s a brief recap of the main events.
Julien’s Met Gala scheme leads to unexpected revelations (Photo: Gossip Girl/Alloy Entertainment, CBS Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Random Acts Productions, and Fake Empire)Julien devised a plan to help Zoya make a splash at the Met Gala, aiming to have her “reveal” as Gossip Girl. The intent was to provoke the real Gossip Girl into re-emerging from her hiding place.
When that plan faltered, they concocted a rumor about Zoya meeting with major directors to pitch Gossip Girl’s story, recruiting former Gossip Girl star Matt Doyle, portraying Eric’s spouse Jonathan, to assist in their scheme.
“We also attempted to bring Connor Paolo back to play Eric, but he was busy filming a movie,” Safran shares. “Having Matt there allowed us to explore the narrative of their marriage, which we were thrilled about.”
However, Kate’s arrogance became her undoing. As special guest star Andy Cohen remarked, “A teacher? What a twist! Also… gross?” With Gossip Girl finally taken down and everyone horrified to discover the identity of the perpetrator, the group celebrated their triumph in Italy, providing a glimpse into their potential futures.
Luna’s modeling career is thriving, highlighted by her prominent Oscar de la Renta campaign. Julien reconnected with her estranged aunt, portrayed by Broadway legend LaChanze, who hinted that there was more to her late mother’s story than previously understood.
Zoya appeared to experience a serendipitous encounter with a fellow theater lover, played by Aaron Dominguez, who would have been a recurring character in Season 3. Meanwhile, Max, recently heartbroken by Aki and Audrey, found himself wallowing in despair at a bar in Germany, where an enigmatic stranger extended a hand.
For those who remained until the end, the finale included a post-credits scene reminiscent of the MCU, where Roger Menzies offered Jordan an opportunity to turn Gossip Girl into a worldwide app for teenage gossip. This development would have been intriguing to watch reveal.
Although HBO Max’s cancellation of the series means audiences will miss witnessing these storylines, there is positive news: Safran and his writing team had meticulously mapped out the entire season, and he graciously shared insights with TVLine regarding the anticipated developments.
Continue reading for the full Q&A with Safran and participate in the poll below to rate the series finale. Once you’re finished, feel free to leave a comment sharing your thoughts on the episode and these planned storylines for Season 3.
With Kate in Prison, Would We Still See Her in Season 3?
Safran confirmed Kate’s return in Season 3 was always part of the plan. “She would have definitely made appearances,” he stated. “Would she have been in every episode? No, but the excitement lay in seeing how the new order would emerge. We had a clear direction for Tavi [Gevinson], and Kate’s arrest was always in the cards.
We had foreseen that back in Episode 5 of Season 1, and we initially had a one-year deal with Tavi, which we later extended. We were certain the teachers would no longer be Gossip Girl by the end of Season 2.”
He acknowledged that many viewers were not fans of the teachers in Season 1, but he believes, “This year, the audience really came around to them, and I think they would have embraced them even more in Season 3.
They were becoming increasingly malevolent. The moral compass was lost in Season 2, which many noted. I witnessed a change in perspective, and people genuinely began to enjoy their storylines.”
So Jordan Made That Deal With the Devil?
“Yes, that aspect was always part of our long-term vision,” Safran explained. “We were eager to explore what would happen if we ‘democratized’ Gossip Girl. That storyline excited us.”
Who Did Max Meet Outside the Club in Germany?
Safran detailed, “Aaron Dominguez, who you see connecting with Zoya in the theater, originally encounters Max, Audrey, and Julien separately, adopting different identities for each. He presents himself as British when meeting Max, American when with Zoya, Italian with Julien, and Spanish with Audrey.
Those details were cut after our cancellation. Audiences would have questioned who this character was, meeting all these characters under different guises, and what his true intentions were.”
So I Was Right Not to Trust That Guy When He Met Zoya?
“Yes, that’s precisely the intent of that scene. The actors played it with the understanding that something was amiss with Aaron’s character. However, I had to cut his other scenes.
I aimed to create a sweet and romantic atmosphere, but our filming did not align with that vision. There’s only so much a score can convey. Aaron had some exciting storylines lined up, and it saddens me that they won’t be seen.”
What Big Secret Was Julien Going to Learn?
According to Safran, “Julien and Zoya lack substantial knowledge about their mother. Rest assured, there wasn’t going to be a shocking twist like ‘Bart Bass is actually alive.’ Marion is definitely deceased.
However, Julien would discover that her father’s narrative, and the one Nick provided to Zoya, wasn’t entirely accurate. That revelation would serve as a serious emotional driving force for both characters.”
Safran adds a bonus scoop: “In the original version of the finale, before we learned of the cancellation, I removed much of that scene. Viewers wouldn’t have even recognized LaChanze; they would have just known that Julien sought information from her. It was intended to be a solid cliffhanger. Once we got canceled, I reinstated the entire scene.”
What’s Next for Luna in Her Rise to Superstardom?
Safran expressed, “We were keen on exploring how Julien always aspired to be a famous influencer, content with merely having a large following, while Monet desired to be at the pinnacle of Constance or the elite of New York City private schools.
Showrunner Josh Safran shares untold plans for a canceled Season 3 (Photo: Gossip Girl/Alloy Entertainment, CBS Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Random Acts Productions, and Fake Empire)They could never have envisioned the level of stardom Luna achieves by the end of Season 2, especially as she approaches Season 3. We were going to delve into their realization that there exists an echelon they hadn’t even considered, and now their best friend has reached it. This realization would incite immense jealousy and envy, prompting them to conspire against Luna.”
Was This Really the End for Audrey/Aki and Max?
“What you observed was always the intended outcome, but Season 3 would have focused on Audrey and Aki realizing they may have acted hastily,” Safran noted. “Max is attempting to move forward after being hurt, yet they eventually come to terms with the fact that they miss him.”
He continued, explaining that a scene in the finale depicted Audrey gazing at a painting that reminded her of Max. “Prior to the cuts to Dominguez’s scenes, the camera was meant to pull back, revealing Aaron beside Audrey,” Safran added. “He would have said, ‘You’re staring at that painting like you know that person.’
To which she would have replied, ‘Maybe I do.’ They were supposed to engage in a meaningful discussion about her longing for Max, but I had to remove that scene.”
Safran concluded with, “It deeply troubles me that viewers who don’t follow online discussions might interpret our portrayal of Audrey and Aki’s relationship as a dismissal of polyamory.
That was never our intention. The fate of their relationship weighs heavily on my mind, and I genuinely believe in polyamory. I wanted to see them reconcile. In our minds, they were always meant to be endgame.”
