The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev was perfect to take on the role of a young Lily Rhodes in the proposed Gossip Girl spinoff, Valley Girls, except for one thing.
According to casting director David Rapaport, who spoke on Jessica Szhor's XOXO podcast, Dobrev "did the best read" for the part and "was one of the best auditions I had ever seen, and for that role specifically".
Despite her impression, it wasn't to be for Dobrev as although "she is a super star, she does not look like Kelly Rutherford," Rapaport told Szhor, who is a friend of Dobrev.
Related: Why Gossip Girl's iconic Kristen Bell voiceover was almost cut
Lily Rhodes was played by Kelly Rutherford in the original series and since the role was for a young Lily Rhodes, sadly Dobrev did not fit the look.
Rapaport explained he told the network: "I don't know how we would cast her, but she needs to be on your radar and you guys need to find something for her".
What to Read Next
Dobrev's audition beat out Dakota Johnson, Rooney Mara and "a lot of other women who went on to become big names", according to Rapaport.
Related: Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev seemingly teases Stranger Things cameo
Dobrev went on to land the lead role of Elena Gilbert and her dopplegänger Katherine Pierce in the long-running hit fantasy show The Vampire Diaries.
Meanwhile, although the spin-off never transpired, there was a one-off episode within Gossip Girl series two, also titled Valley Girls, in which a young Lily Rhodes featured. In the episode we saw flashbacks of Lily in her youth – where she was played by Brittany Snow – running away to live with her sister Carol (Krysten Ritter) in Los Angeles.
Gossip Girl airs on HBO Max in the US, and broadcasts on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
![The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Series [DVD] [2017]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1567680058-51H--u5OR5L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Series [DVD] [2017]")
Warner Bros/The CW The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Series [DVD] [2017]
![The Originals: Season 1-5 [DVD] [2018]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1567680704-51-EiguApQL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Originals: Season 1-5 [DVD] [2018]")
Harperteen Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by LJ Smith
Hodder Children's Books The Vampire Diaries: The Fury & The Reunion by LJ Smith
Hodder Children's Books Vampire Diaries: The Return - Nightfall by LJ Smith
Hodder Children's Books Vampire Diaries: The Return - Shadow Souls by LJ Smith
Hodder Children's Books The Vampire Diaries: The Return - Midnight by LJ Smith
Virgin Records The Vampire Diaries - Original Television Soundtrack
Asyia is an entertainment reporter covering TV, film, theatre, music, books and general showbiz.
She was previously a freelance reporter who has written for publications including Glamour, gal-dem, Metro and Bustle.
She has a gold-standard NCTJ diploma from News Associates. Asyia has covered industry events such as the London Film Festival and BFI Flare and has a specialist interest in analysing LGBTQ+ issues, race and identity within the cultural landscape.
LinkedIn
