A Lily in the Californian Sun

The ’80s are back, and their poster girl will be none other than the thoroughly contemporary Brittany Snow.

The actress will make her debut as a younger Lily van der Woodsen in flashbacks on the May 11 episode of The CW’s Gossip Girl (Kelly Rutherford originated the grownup role on the hit show), a.k.a. the backdoor pilot for a spin-off following Lily’s adventures in L.A. as a teen debuting this fall.

Eighties heartthrob Andrew McCarthy (pictured at right with Snow) will play Lily’s father, Rick.

“We’re taking some artistic liberties,” Snow said. “But hopefully, the audience will see it as a portion of her life and not directly connected to who she is now.”

Here’s to hoping we will “XOXO” the spin-off as much as the original.

Photo: EW.com.