Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) spent her summer in Europe. But it wasn't her shopping sprees that made her the new darling of the paparazzi. As the first day of Brown approaches, Serena will have to decide whether she's ready to give up her new life as a celebutante to begin another as a college freshman. And a visit from bad boy Carter Baizen (guest star Sebastian Stan) will uncover the real reason for her transformation.

Meanwhile, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) finally declared their love for each other. But this isn't a couple that would ever be content spending their summer holding hands at the movies. And how they spent their summer may be the thing that saves them or the wedge that drives them apart.

Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) traded in her Brooklyn loft for an Upper East Side penthouse when her dad, Rufus (Matthew Settle), got engaged to Lily van der Woodsen Bass (Kelly Rutherford). It's the perfect address for the new Queen Bee of Constance Billard. But just because Blair gave Jenny that title doesn't mean the other girls at school aren't going to fight for it. And will Jenny be willing to pay the price it takes to be queen?

Things are looking up for Dan (Penn Badgley). NYU is the perfect place for this high school geek to redefine himself. But a return visit from "friend" Georgina Sparks (guest star Michelle Trachtenberg) will make things more than a little bit complicated.

Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) has found a new flame, southern belle Bree Buckley (guest star JoAnna Garcia). Unfortunately, her family and Nate's family despise each other. Will they be able to conquer their family rivalries? Were Romeo and Juliet?

Brooklynite and NYU freshman Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr) has been spending a lot of time with a mysterious stranger. But this stranger may be more of an insider than anyone can guess.


Meet The Cast Of "Gossip Girl"

Blake Lively, plays Serena van der Woodsen. Lively has quickly become one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood. She made her big-screen debut in Warner Bros.' "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," for which she earned a "Breakthrough Performance" nomination at the "2005 Teen Choice Awards."

She graduated from high school last spring and resides in Los Angeles.

Leighton Meester, plays Blair Waldorf. Meester made her television debute when she was 13 on "Law & Order," she got her breakout role in 2004 with a recurring role as the Britney Spears-like singer Justin Chapin on the hit series "Entourage."

When not working on "Gossip Girl," Meester passionately pursues her talent for music and creative writing. She has recorded a song for the soundtrack of her upcoming film "Drive-Thru." She currently resides in New York.

Penn Badgley, plays Dan Humphrey. Badgley most rescently starred in Tom Fontana's "The Bedford Diaries." He also had a role along side Jesse Metcalfe and Brittany Snow in the comedy "John Tucker Must Die."

In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, singing, and playing the guitar.

Chace Crawford, plays Nate Archibald. Crawford starred in the 2006 movie "The Covenant," which opened at #1 in the box office.

Crawford splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City where "Gossip Girl" is being filmed.