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Since its premiere in September 2007 all the way to its series finale in December 2012 and to this day, Gossip Girl has been one of the most beloved teen drama series of all time. The CW series based on the book series of the same name helped launched its home network and became a pop culture phenomenon in no time.

The series launched its young cast of stars into superstars, with the likes of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, and more becoming movie and television stars. Gossip Girl even launch one of the most successful modern rock stars! The cast has truly come a long way from their days on the Upper East Side.

As Gossip Girl makes its triumphant return to Netflix in the United States on Oct. 29, 2024, millions of fans will start rewatching the series and inevitably wondering, "How old was the cast 17 years ago?" Let's...

FX is moving forward with its drama from Ethan Hawke and Sterlin Harjo, TheWrap has learned. The series originally received a pilot order in February, at which point it was tentatively titled “The Sensitive Kind.”

The upcoming drama is described as “a Tulsa noir about a guy who knows too much,” according to the official logline, and is produced by Fxp. Hawke will star in and executive produce the drama series, while the “Reservation Dogs” co-creator will serve as its creator, executive producer, writer and director. Garrett Basch also executive produces.

FX declined to comment for this story.

“Reservation Dogs” star Kaniehtiio Horn and Killer Mike are also attached to the pilot, as are Cody Lightning, Michael Hitchcock (“Grand Death Lotto,” “Exmas”) and Ryan Kiera Armstrong (“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” “American Horror Story,” “Firestarter”)

It’s further been reported that Keith David, Siena East, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Shepherd,...

Apple TV+’s series The Buccaneers is taking on a new crew member.

Leighton Meester is joining the period drama for its forthcoming second season. Details on the character the former Gossip Girl and Single Parents star will play are being kept quiet for now.

Meester will become part of a cast that also includes Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag, Imogen Waterhouse, Christina Hendricks, Mia Threapleton, Guy Remmers, Matthew Broome, Josh Dylan and Barney Fishwick.

The Buccaneers is based on an unfinished novel by Edith Wharton and follows a group of American girls who burst onto the London social scene in the 1870s, setting off an Anglo-American culture clash. In season two, the group has settled in London and taken their places in society: Nan (Frøseth) is now a duchess, Conchita (Boe) has also married into nobility, and Jinny (Waterhouse) is a celebrity — albeit one wanted for kidnapping her unborn child.

“Gossip Girl” actress Leighton Meester poses for the St. John x Edie Parker “Tweed Burn” vintage-knit collaboration, photographed by Christian Soria:

Meester is noted for her role as ‘Blair Waldorf’ on the “Gossip Girl” TV series.

She also appeared in the films “Killer Movie” (2008), “Country Strong” (2010), “The Roommate” (2011), “Monte Carlo” (2011), “The Oranges” (2011), “The Judge” (2014), “The Weekend Away” (2022), and “EXmas” (2023).

As a singer, she ha released solo singles "Somebody to Love" (2009) and "Your Love's a Drug" (2010) on the Universal Republic label. Meester has also recorded songs for various soundtracks. Her debut album, “Heartstrings”, was independently released in 2014.

She has also modeled, having been ‘the face’ of the Jimmy Choo, Herbal Essences, and Vera Wang brands.

Click the images to enlarge…...

FX’s pilot The Sensitive Kind from creator Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) has added five to its cast: Killer Mike (Ozark), Kaniehtiio Horn (Reservation Dogs), Cody Lightning (Echo), Michael Hitchcock (Grand Death Lotto) and Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew).

Details as to the roles these actors will play are under wraps.

Also written, directed and exec produced by Harjo, The Sensitive Kind is described as a Tulsa noir about a guy (Ethan Hawke) who knows too much. As previously announced, Keith David, Siena East, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Shepherd, Tracy Letts, Kyle Maclachlan and Macon Blair will also star.

The project is Harjo’s first for TV since Reservation Dogs, the acclaimed FX dramedy which won an AFI Award for each of its three seasons. Additional EPs include Garrett Basch and Hawke. FX Productions is the studio.

A Grammy-winning rapper of Run the Jewels fame, Killer...

Photo: gorodenkoff (iStock by Getty Images)

Sure, there are plenty of great free movies on YouTube—but while YouTube is awesome, it’s not the only game in town. So we decided to put together a list of other sites that also offer free movies, break down the pros and cons of each one,...

Stars: Robbie Amell, Leighton Meester, Michael Hitchcock, Kathryn Greenwood, Veronika Slowikowska, Steven Huy | Written by Dan Steele | Directed by Jonah Feingold

Continuing my new Christmas movie watching for Nerdly, EXmas features on the Amazon-linked app Freevee, and sees Graham (Robbie Amell) surprise his family at Christmas only to discover that his ex-fiancée, Ali (Leighton Meester) had been invited, and is already there celebrating the holiday with his family. And with neither wanting to leave, they will have to put up with each other, all while keeping the family happy.

Christmas is the only time you will catch me watching this kind of rom-com, as I usually find the stories too repetitive and uninteresting. I, and most audiences watching, know exactly what is going to happen in this type of movie, even before I’ve watched it but that really doesn’t make any difference in my enjoyment of it.

Perhaps...

“Exmas” filmmaker Jonah Feingold is directing a new romantic comedy, “31 Candles.”

The independent film will feature the ensemble cast of Jackie Sandler, Dale Moss of “The Bachelorette” fame, comedian Jared Freid, Catherine Cohen (“The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous”), “Abbot Elementary” actor Larry Owens and newcomer Sarah Coffey.

The call sheet also includes Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Djouliet Amara (“The Big Door Prize” on Apple TV+), Seth Barrish (“Billion”) and Lori Tan Chinn (“Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens”). It recently wrapped in production in New York City.

“31 Candles” is inspired by Feingold’s life and follows a 30-year-old New Yorker named Leo Kadner (Feingold), who has a Bar Mitzvah after running into his former summer camp crush, Eva Shapiro (Coffey). He must navigate situationships, exes, and relatives to complete his Mitzvah project… and maybe even grow up. The coming-of-age film explores tradition, identity, and how far someone will go for a former love.

Amazon Freevee's EXmas is a hilarious 2023 movie about exes and the holidays anchored with a remarkable cast led by Robbie Amell. 

Directed by Jonah Feingold, EXmas is a romantic comedy revolving around a former couple who unexpectedly reunite during Christmas. 

In the film, Graham (Robbie Amell) goes home to surprise his family for the holidays, but he is blindsided by his ex-fiancée (Leighton Meester) when he discovers that she is already present at home with his family. 

Read full article on The Direct.

EXmas is a romance-comedy that revolves around the lives of an estranged couple. The able cast of the film includes Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, and others. The plot has been spun around the story of a transitional phase between a couple. They have been transitioning from an estranged relationship to getting back together. EXmas beautifully brings out the rekindling relationship between Ali and Graham. The film is replete with a beautiful essence of Christmas merriment, captivating audiences. Will Ali and Graham finally be able to hit it off? How will Ali’s family help them get back together? Let us find out!

Spoilers Ahead

What Role Does Graham’s Family Play In Their Relationship?

Ali surprises his family on Christmas when he suddenly visits them after telling them initially that he wouldn’t come. He is surprised to find that his ex-fiancé Ali is at his place and has been vibing well with his family.

EXmas is a Christmas rom-com film directed by Jonah Feingold, from a screenplay by Dan Steele. The Freevee revolves around Graham (Robbie Amell), his family, and his ex-fiancée Ali during the Christmas holiday. When Graham has to work during Christmas he tells his family that he won’t be able to make it home, but despite his work promises he still goes home and finds his ex, who broke up with him sometime ago celebrating Christmas with his family. When he learns that his family invited her and they still like her he vows to make everyone hate her and ask her to leave by Christmas time.

The rom-com film stars Robbie Amell and Leighton Meester as the leading duo Graham and Ali. The supporting cast includes Michael Hitchcock and Kathryn Greenwood as Graham’s parents Dennis and Jeannie. It also stars Veronika Slowikowska and Steven Huy as Graham’s siblings Mindy and Elliot,...

Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell play ex-fiancés in a war to win the title of best ex in Amazon Freevee’s upcoming holiday movie “EXmas,” lending itself to the battle of the sexes themes found in 1930s and ’40s screwball comedies.

“I thought the idea of two exes under one roof really was reminiscent of the films I’ve loved recently, whether it’s a movie like a ‘Bringing Up Baby,’ ‘The Lady Eve’ or ‘The Philadelphia Story,'” director Jonah Feingold told TheWrap, jokingly adding that he “tricked” Freevee and Buzzfeed into making a Cary Grant-esque movie.

In “EXmas,” which is now streaming on Amazon Freevee, exes Ali (Meester) and Graham (Amell) find themselves stuck in the same house after Graham’s family invites Ali for the holidays after Graham tells them he’ll be stuck at work for Christmas. When Graham surprises his family, he’s shocked...

Celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with your loved ones is the best part of coming home for the holidays, but what would you do if when you got home you realized that there was someone there that you hadn’t planned on spending Christmas with… your ex-fiancée? That’s the story at the heart of the new Freevee original movie “EXmas” debuting on Friday, Nov. 17. Starring Robbie Amell and Leighton Meester, the new holiday rom-com tests just how close your family should be with your ex. You can watch with a free sign-up to Freevee.

How to Watch 'EXmas' Starring Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell When: Friday, November 17, 2023 Where: Freevee Stream: Watch with a free sign-up to Freevee. Watch NowTBA amazonfreevee.com About 'EXmas' Starring Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell

Coming home for the holidays is never a dull experience, especially not for...

EXmas is a delightful holiday rom-com featuring some classic but relatable tropes. While we may not find our ex at our holiday table, most of us have longed for a holiday like the Stroops share.

It features charismatic stars, including Robbie Amell as Grham and Leighton Meester as Ali. Michael Hitchcock and Kathryn Greenwood were hilarious and Graham’s holiday-obsessed parents.

Jonah Feingold loves directing com-coms, and he’s had great success with his two prior films, Dating in New York and At Midnight. We were excited to speak with him about how he directed Amazon Freevee’s EXmas.

Feingold spoke with us during a recent virtual press day about which holiday films inspired him, how he selected the cast, and how essential the family dynamics were to this film.

Check it out below.

Hi Jonah. I’ve heard you love rom-coms. How did you get involved in EXmas? Did...

Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell play exes with a vendetta in the upcoming Amazon Freevee rom-com “EXmas,” except unlike other former flames, ex-fiancés Ali (Meester) and Graham (Amell) are dealing with their tensions under the same roof.

In an exclusive clip shared with TheWrap, Ali and Graham weather the cold while fishing in a lodge with Graham’s father and brother when Graham’s dad asks the pair if they have been dating since breaking up.

“Everyone,” Graham replies, adding that he’s “not discriminating against any dating app” and is “going head-first.”

“Wow, that’s disgusting,” Ali responds in the clip.

As the group shivers in the freezing temperatures, Ali asks the family to move the heater closer to her, to which Graham responds “no, you don’t have to do that — it’s fine where it is.”

“It’s getting everybody I think,” Graham insists.

Graham’s dad...

CinemaBlind’s Review – 60%

The holiday season is finally here and so is Prime Video’s ad-supported streaming service Freevee’s Christmas rom-com film EXmas. Starring Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell in the lead roles, this film works solely because of the charming chemistry shared by all of the cast members, especially the leading duo.

Directed by Jonah Feingold, from a screenplay by Dan Steele, EXmas revolves around Graham (Amell), his family, and his ex-fiancée Ali during the Christmas holiday. When Graham has to work during Christmas he tells his family that he won’t be able to make it home, but despite his work promises he still goes home and finds his ex, who broke up with him sometime ago celebrating Christmas with his family. When he learns that his family invited her and they still like her he vows to make everyone hate her and ask her to leave by Christmas time.

"Gossip Girl" tells the story of a bunch of wealthy Upper East Siders (and a few Brooklynites) as they deal with drama, romance, and chaos in the Big Apple. The show, which ran from 2007 to 2012, also happened to make much of its young cast into huge stars. Blake Lively, of course, starred as Serena van der Woodsen on "Gossip Girl" and has since gone on to be a prominent A-lister. Penn Badgley, who played the seemingly innocuous Dan Humphrey, now stars as another seemingly harmless (but very murderous) character on the hit show "You." Meanwhile, Taylor Momsen, who played Dan's little sister Jenny Humphrey, transitioned from television into a successful music career after leaving "Gossip Girl"; she currently fronts the band The Pretty Reckless.

Not that much time has passed since "Gossip Girl," though the show already received a reboot that ran from 2021 to 2023. Still, in the decade since the...

Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell discover coming home for Christmas can be just a little stressful when they star in the Amazon Freevee original romantic comedy EXmas from BuzzFeed Studios, set to premiere on Nov. 17.

Amell plays Graham, who decides to surprise his family by traveling home for the holidays, only to encounter an unexpected guest of honor, Ali (Meester), who also happens to be his ex-fiancée. The two exes battle it out to see who the family will pick to stay through Christmas Day, and who must go.

EXmas is directed by Jonah Feingold and written by Dan Steele. The film will launch exclusively on the free streamer Freevee in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Austria, while also playing on Prime Video in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Amazon owns and operates Freevee alongside its more premium Prime Video offering, and uses the free streamer...