Fans horrified over Gossip Girl leaving Netflix at end of year

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 1d

Fans react with horror on social media after it emerges that Gossip Girl will be removed from Netflix UK and Ireland at the end of the year.

Gossip Girl fans have reacted with shock and upset at the news that the teen drama will be leaving Netflix at the end of this year.

The show, which ran for six seasons between 2007 and 2012, is one of a slew of TV series and movies set to exit the streaming service on December 31 when Netflix's rights come to an end.

Other titles affected include cult Will Smith comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which is moving to the BBC and Sky, 10 seasons of Doctor Who, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and many of Louis Theroux's documentaries.

Netflix was bombarded with hundreds of messages on social media after news of Gossip Girl's impending removal emerged, with one writing: "First Vampire Diaries and now Gossip Girl @NetflixUK you do realise 2020 has been horrendous enough! Absolute savages."

Another wrote: "@NetflixUK taking gossip girl from us at the end of December is really the icing on the cake for this year isn't it? I thought being in tier 3 was bad, this is a whole new level of heartbreak"

One fan has started an online petition in an attempt to convince Netflix to extend its licence, writing in the style of the show's narrator: "Can Netflix ruin our 2020 anymore? Why would it leave? Will it ever return? Only one way to know. Netflix UK, please hear our prayers and renew the licence for the best show ever. XOXO, Gossip Girl"

The removal of the original Gossip Girl comes ahead of the launch of a rebooted series - officially branded as a "sequel" - on HBO Max some time in 2021.