Preview: The 'Gossip Girl' spinoff

Hands up who likes Gossip Girl? Hands up who wants more Gossip Girl? Hands up who would be excited at the prospect of a Gossip Girl spinoff?

You can put your hands down now.

Today, in the second of our week-long preview of this year's most promising pilots, we take a look at the much-discussed Gossip Girl prequel.

What is it?
It is the Gossip Girl spinoff, rumoured to be called Lily. It's aptly titled, since the focus of the show will be on Serena's mother, Lily Van Der Woodsen (neé Rhodes, now Bass). The character of Rufus Humphrey will also feature heavily - as will the passionate affair between the two characters.

So we'll see a younger Lily and Rufus?
Yes indeed! The central role of Lily Van Der Woodsen Bass Rhodes will be played by Nip/Tuck's Brittany Snow (it is not yet known who will portray the young Rufus). Other actors signed up to appear include Shiloh Fernandez as Owen, a possible love interest for Lily, and Matt Barr, who will take on the role of Keith Van Der Woodsen, Lily's future husband - and presumably father of Serena and Eric. That's a lot of love interests for the lovely Lily.

Which other characters feature?
Andrew McCarthy (of Lipstick Jungle fame) is on board to play Lily's father, Rick Rhodes, while Lost's Cynthia Watros is rumoured to be in talks to play the female parental unit, CeCe. Lily's wild-child older sister Carol will also feature courtesy of Krysten Ritter, who you might remember from Veronica Mars.

So what actually happens?
The spinoff will follow a teenage Lily living in 1980s Los Angeles. As per GG, there'll be plenty of drama - this time starting when Lily moves in with her sister after a major bust-up with her parents. Oh, and there's the small matter of her many romances. We'd be lying if we said we weren't a little excited to see how Rufus and Lily's fling started - especially given the number of other admirers the randy Rhodes daughter has.

Why Lily?
Can you think of a more interesting Gossip Girl character to get their own spinoff? Seeing the posh snob mum of two three attending a public school (yes, you heard that right) and creating Serena-style scandals is, quite frankly, too good to miss. And, the spinoff may shed further light (or at least more intrigue) on the identity and whereabouts of Rufus and Lily's secret lovechild.

Count me in! When?
The CW has yet to commission the pilot for a full series, but all the signs suggest a season order is just around the corner.

Previously...
> Pilot Preview #1: Flash Forward

Check back tomorrow for the next of our pilot previews!

What are your hopes for the Gossip Girl spinoff? Will a prequel really work? Add your comments to this entry below!