The secret’s out: Gossip Girl is back and there’s about four of them! The iconic show has been reimagined by its original creators and brought back in a format fit for the modern landscape, with a focus on showcasing diversity and tackling the reality of living with social media (and plenty of signature Gossip Girl ‘OMFG’ moments).

In the new iteration of the franchise, the role of the all-knowing blogger is taken on by a group of teachers who relaunch the page on Instagram in order to seemingly regain authority over their privileged and irreverent students. One of them is played by Adam Chanler-Berat, an actor best known for his work on Broadway in productions such as ‘Next to Normal’, ‘Amélie’ or ‘Saint Joan’. Over the course of the first season, his character, a computer science teacher named Jordan, quickly becomes the go-to source of comedic relief and many memorable quotes that are too good to be spoiled here.

We spoke to Chanler-Berat on the eve of the Gossip Girl’s premiere on HBO Max about the show’s inclusive attitude, his most memorable shooting experience and being in a book club with his co-star and off-screen pal, Tavi Gevinson.

Left Shirt Celine by Hedi Slimane, underwear and socks Calvin Klein, boots YooxRight Coat Fendi — Left Shirt **Celine by Hedi Slimane**, underwear and socks **Calvin Klein**, boots **Yoox**
Right Coat Fendi

Were you a fan of the original ‘Gossip Girl’?

Yes! I remember watching about four seasons of the show when it initially aired. Also, I rewatched it soon after I got cast in the new show. We had to stop the production for a while, and I was like, ‘What should I do with these six months before we start shooting?’ And it was a perfect thing to watch during quarantine.

Suit Loewe, boots by Acne Studios — Suit **Loewe**, boots by **Acne Studios**

What did you love about the show?

I think one of the loveliest parts of the show is how much of it is such a celebration of New York City, and also a celebration of New York actors – it was such a treasure trove of some of my favourite theatre actors in the city. Watching them on the show brought me a lot of joy and, in a way, made me think of it as a certain right of passage for the community. It’s almost as if it wouldn’t be right if I went my whole life without being able to be on ‘Gossip Girl’. [laughs]

Who was the character that you related to the most?

I think I related the most to one of Blair’s minions. [laughs] I’m more of a Robin than a Batman, which actually correlates well with the character I play on the show.

Left Shirt Isabel MarantRight Coat and Sweater Prada, shirt and pants Etro, boots AMI — Left Shirt **Isabel Marant**
Right Coat and Sweater **Prada**, shirt and pants **Etro**, boots **AMI**

That’s so true! How did you get the role of Jordan?

It was all thanks to Joshua Safran [the show’s creator], who is a huge fan of theatre and a great champion of theatre actors. In 2019, I got an offer to be on an episode of his Netflix show ‘Soundtrack’ and once we met on the set, we became fast friends. When he told me that he was in the process of writing the new ‘Gossip Girl’, I said jokingly, ‘Can you write me a part?’ And he just replied, ‘Yeah, I’ll do that!’ Then, a couple of months later, he actually sent me a photo of my headshot on the wall and was like, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but I’m writing a part for you.’ I still had to audition for it and do test shoots, but that’s how it all came about.

Another crazy circumstance is that at the time, I was in rehearsals for an off-Broadway production of ‘Assassins’ with Tavi Gevinson [the production didn’t run due to the pandemic]. We were supposed to sing a duet in that show and I guess you could say that metaphorically, we are doing it now on the screen.

Left Shirt Celine by Hedi SlimaneRight Shirt and suit Dries Van Noten, boots Fendi — Left Shirt **Celine by Hedi Slimane**
Right Shirt and suit **Dries Van Noten**, boots **Fendi**

You and Tavi have great chemistry and there’s a very palpable feeling of comradery between you two. Are you close in real life?

Yeah, we’re really great friends. A few years ago, she did a production of ‘The Cherry Orchard’ with my boyfriend on Broadway, so we have been in each other’s circles for a while. And now, we’re thick as thieves. We’re also in the same book club – we’re currently reading ‘Playing in the Dark’ by Toni Morrison.

“I think I related the most to one of Blair’s minions.
I’m more of a Robin than a Batman, which actually correlates well with the character I play on the show.”

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What in your view is the biggest strength of the new ‘Gossip Girl’?

It provides all the joys and delights of the original show, but it also has a fresh outlook and the underbelly that the first ‘Gossip Girl’ didn’t tread in. I think the show creates a really interesting discourse about ways in which social media impacts our lives. It’s also much more inclusive and queer, as well as much more self-conscious, in a good way. And I think this is the only way to bring the Gossip Girl universe to 2021.

Shirt Isabel Marant, pants and boots Acne Studios — Shirt **Isabel Marant**, pants and boots **Acne Studios**

What scene for you has been the most memorable to shoot so far?

The shot that’s in the first episode when I’m in the rain and taking a photo. It was November, I was standing by the East River in Dumbo getting hosed down and I honestly couldn’t have been happier while being frigid and wet. I was just thinking about what an amazing thing it was to shoot this show in New York and for it to come back at such a pivotal time when the industry and the globe is recovering from the devastation. We had an in-person premiere last week and it felt like we were not only celebrating the work that we’ve been doing on Gossip Girl, but also the resilience of people who are providing jobs in the industry. It made me really think about all of the theatre actors that the show is giving work and healthcare to, and made me feel so proud to be a part of it.