The show's voice had to be on board!

'Gossip Girl' Reboot Wouldn't Have Happened Without Kristen Bell, Showrunner Says

Ahead of the Gossip Girl reboot premiering on HBO Max, those involved with the show shared why Kristen Bell's return is a big deal! Showrunner Joshua Safran said that Bell was consulted about the project in its early stages, and some of the cast members gushed over the actress as well. Find out what they said!

Gossip Girl is infamous for its teen drama and narration by its eponymous gossip queen, who fans of the show know is voiced by Kristen Bell. In a recent interview about the show's 2021 reboot, showrunner Joshua Safran and some of the stars opened up to Entertainment Tonight about why they consider Bell to be such an integral part of Gossip Girl.

Gossip Girl showrunner says the show doesn't exist without Bell

"Gossip Girl" herself may only exist as a character in voiceover, but according to Safran, there isn't another actress who could fill Bell's shoes. In fact, he said that Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage were so set on the actress's return to the role, they weren't willing to do the show without her!

Safran went on to say that he feels "there's no Gossip Girl without Kristen," explaining why her presence is so crucial to the series. "I mean, it's not just the voice, it's her whole being," he said. "Her soul comes through her voice and you just feel like you're in the show."

Kristen Bell attends the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards.

Gossip Girl reboot cast praises Bell's return to the show

Gossip Girl's reboot will be premiering July 8 on HBO Max, and a few of the show's cast members echoed Safran's sentiments about Bell returning to the show! "I mean, thank God [she's back], she's the iconic voiceover," Tavi Gevinson said. Emily Alyn Lynd and Jordan Alexander also praised the fact that Bell is playing "Gossip Girl" again.

"Like, how can you have Gossip Girl without Kristen Bell?" Lynd asked, calling Bell "a necessity" for the show. "We were all so excited because it, really wouldn't have been the same without her and I don't think it could have happened," Alexander explained, "so shout-out to Kristen Bell."