Spotted: HBO Max “Gossip Girl” Series Season 1 Overview

The Max Original series GOSSIP GIRL debuts Part One of its 12-episode first season with six episodes premiering weekly, beginning on Thursday, July 8 @12:01AM PT / 3:01AM ET). Part Two’s six episodes will follow this fall.

Developed by showrunner Joshua Safran, a writer, and executive producer on the original series, this extension of the pop culture classic takes us back to the Upper East Side to find a new generation of New York private school teens being introduced to social surveillance, nine years after the original blogger’s website went dark. The series is based on the bestselling novels by Cecily von Ziegesar and the original show, developed by Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage, which ran from 2007-2012 on The CW.

GOSSIP GIRL explores just how much social media – and the landscape of New York itself – has changed in the intervening years. The series stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, Whitney Peak, and Savannah Lee Smith with Todd Almond, Adam Chanler-Berat, Johnathan Fernandez, and Jason Gotay.

Episodes include:

Episode 1: “Just Another Girl on the MTA”

Debuts: Thursday, July 8

The start of a new school year at the Upper East Side’s elite Constance St. Jude’s ushers in the arrival of a newcomer, who soon finds herself thrust into a blinding spotlight. While other students cling to their comfortable, glamorous lives, a mysterious presence threatens to upend the status quo.

Written by Joshua Safran; Directed by Karena Evans.

Episode 2: “She’s Having a Maybe”

Debuts: Thursday, July 15

As Zoya (Whitney Peak) cautiously explores a new romantic interest, Max (Thomas Doherty) tears down boundaries in pursuing one of his own. At a black-tie affair, Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind) struggles with her mom, Kate (Tavi Gevinson) works overtime, and Julien (Jordan Alexander) vows to fix her mistakes once and for all.

Written by April Blair; Directed by Karena Evans.

Episode 3: “Lies Wide Shut”

Debuts: Thursday, July 22

While the school takes drastic measures to smoke out Gossip Girl’s identity, a blind item threatens to put an end to a Constance couple. Max (Thomas Doherty) pushes Julien (Jordan Alexander) to explore life outside her comfort zone, prompting both teens to uncover shocking family secrets. Zoya (Whitney Peak) turns to an unlikely ally for help fitting in.

Written by Lila Feinberg; Directed by Jennifer Lynch.

Episode 4: “Fire Walks With Z”

Debuts: Thursday, July 29

Zoya’s (Whitney Peak) attempts to avoid her birthday are no match for Luna (Zion Moreno) and Monet’s (Savannah Lee Smith) warpath. While Julien (Jordan Alexander) escalates tensions, Nick (Johnathan Fernandez) and Davis (Luke Kirby) put down their arms. Bad news sends Max (Thomas Doherty) on a bender, Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind) levels with Aki (Evan Mock), and Kate (Tavi Gevinson) gets an exciting opportunity.

Written by Courtney Perdue and Baindu Saidu; Directed by Jennifer Lynch.

Episode 5: “Hope Sinks”

Debuts: Thursday, August 5

As Halloween approaches, Zoya (Whitney Peak) and Julien (Jordan Alexander) decide to team up. Meanwhile, an incident at a nearby school finds all eyes on Gossip Girl, leading Kate (Tavi Gevinson) to question her future. Aki (Evan Mock) intervenes in Max’s (Thomas Doherty) personal life, and Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind) panics over her own. Zoya’s new friend has Obie (Eli Brown) worried.

Written by Aaron Fullerton; Directed by Pamela Romanowsky.

Episode 6: “Parentsite” (Part One Finale)

Debuts: Thursday, August 12

When Obie’s (Eli Brown) mother comes to town, Zoya (Whitney Peak) begins to question his nature – and nurture. Julien’s (Jordan Alexander) decision to take her brand to the next level leads her down a path of self-discovery. Kate’s (Tavi Gevinson) personal and professional lives collide at full force. Aki (Evan Mock) and Max (Thomas Doherty) come together to support Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind).

Written by Ashley Wigfield; Directed by Pamela Romanowsky.

GOSSIP GIRL is produced by Fake Empire and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. The series is written, executive produced and developed by Joshua Safran of Random Acts. Executive producers also include Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage of Fake Empire, and Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo of Alloy Entertainment. Lis Rowinski of Fake Empire serves as co-executive producer.

Original costume designer Eric Daman, and make-up department head Amy Tagliamont both rejoin the series. The behind-the-scenes team also includes: production designer Ola Maslik and set decorator Rich Devine; music supervisor Rob Lowry and composer Ariel Rechtshaid; hair department head Jennifer Johnson.