AlthoughGossip Girl’s pilot episode does a pretty good job of introducing its main characters and their key relationships,producers weren’t convinced about the actress portraying Blair’s mother. Compared to the rest of thebest romance teen shows,Gossip Girl’s first episode accurately sets up some of its most popular and lasting dynamics; mainly, between the teenagers, but also those with their parents. Workaholic fashion designer Eleanor Waldworf’s estranged relationship with her daughter is key toBlair Waldorf’s popular character arc inGossip Girl, but the first actress cast in the role offered a very different Eleanor.
Florencia Lozano was originally cast to play Eleanor Waldorf but was quickly replaced by Margaret Colin— who went on to play the character forGossip Girl’s six seasons. Though both were tapped for the same character, a sizable gap separated them, with Colin being 12 years older than Colin. Notably, the young actress’ version of Eleanor gave her and Blair’s relationship a more serious tone, while Colin brought liveliness and charm to the character.
Margaret Colin’s Older Age Made More Sense For The Central Conflict Between The Waldorfs
Actress Florencia Lozano as Eleanor Waldorf in Gossip Girl.
Although Florencia Lozano made a convincing socialite, theIndependence Dayactress unfortunately wasn’t a convincing mother to an adult daughter. The producers decided to recast her as they thoughtthe 37-year-old actress looked too young to play the mother of Leighton Meester’s character, considering that the actress playing her was 21 years old. Margaret Colin, on the other hand, was 49 when she booked the part (viaNicki Swift). The smaller age gap between Lozano and Leighton made the relationship a bit more believable and easier to become invested in.
How Old The Gossip Girl Cast Was Compared To Their Characters
Gossip Girl featured a cast full of talented young actors who went on to have impressive careers, and many of them got their start on the show.
Gossip Girl’s decision to cast an older actress suits Eleanor Waldorf better, as she is presented as a famous and well-established fashion designer. Additionally, it adds more conflict to the relationship between Blair and her mother. While a younger Eleanor choosing work over her daughter would be expected, havingan older woman put hercareer over her family signals a deeper and lingering problem. After the change, Blair went from being the neglected daughter to becoming a girl ready to give up on her long-time struggle to gain her mother’s affection — making her character less tragic and more empowered.
How Eleanor Waldorf Changed After Gossip Girl’s Pilot Recast
Margaret Colin’s Charm Elevated Eleanor and Blair’s Dynamic in Gossip Girl
Eleanor Waldorf didn’t just physically change after the recasting, but the character was also modified. On the surface, she remained the same belittling, passively manipulative, and elegant woman, but Lozano and Colin portrayed strikingly different Eleanors. In the pilot, Eleanor’s controlling behavior acquires center focus, withFlorencia Lozano playing a maternal solemnity that reads as jealousyof her daughter’s youthfulness. As a result, the interactions between the two produce a more serious tone.
When actress Margaret Colin re-introduced the character in episode 4, she was much more lighthearted, albeit heavily focused on her work.
When actress Margaret Colin re-introduced the character in episode 4, she was much more lighthearted, albeit heavily focused on her work. The distanced relationship between mother and daughter was heightened, as Eleanor was hinted to travel a lot. Joiningtheworst thingsGossip Girldid to Blair Waldorf, the girl had to try harder to get her mother’s attention and affection.
Despite the greater conflict, the mother-daughter dynamic acquired an alluring potential. Even if Eleanor Waldorf remained cold to her daughter’s feelings and desires,Colin infused Eleanor with a charisma that made it impossible to dislike her— sustaining the interest in the pair forGossip Girl’smany seasons to come.
Gossip Girl
Cast
Set in New York, 2021’s Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a new generation of private school teenagers who navigate social dynamics and scandals. Through the pervasive influence of social media, their secrets are exposed, while the anonymous titular blogger reveals the complexities of their intertwined relationships.
