Leighton Meester to star as ‘nemesis’ in husband Adam Brody’s beloved Netflix show

After her husband Adam Brody experienced a career renaissance last year, it’s now Leighton Meester’s turn. Beginning her career as a child model working in commercials, Leighton’s first screen credit came aged 13 in an episode of Law & Order. She then made appearances in Crossing Jordan, 8 Simple Rules, 7th Heaven and 24.

But it was being cast in the teen drama series Gossip Girl that made her a household name. From 2007 until 2012, she played uber-wealthy New York City schoolgirl Blair Waldorf alongside Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen. During her time on the show Leighton’s performance was praised, with fans calling her ‘the stand-out star’.

However, after the show wrapped, her follow-up projects largely went under the radar. In the years since she’s appeared in movies including The Judge, The Weekend Away and voiced a character in My Father’s Dragon. Aside from starring as Angie D’Amato on the sitcom Single Parents and How I Met Your Father, which were both cancelled, her TV roles have been limited.

In a 2022 Thrillist article, it was said she ‘finally deserved a chance to shine on her own’. A few years on, it looks like that time has finally come – with her role in the police dramedy Good Cop/ Bad Cop. The eight-part show sees her star as Lou alongside Luke Cook as her brother Henry, detectives working in a small Pacific Northwest police force.

Together the siblings face ‘colourful locals, a serious lack of resources and a complicated relationship with police chief, Big Hank (Clancy Brown) – who doubles as their father’. The series, which was released in the US and Australia (where it was filmed) this week, has already sparked rave reviews. It also features a cameo from Brody.

In its review, Variety said the show ‘injected much-needed levity into an often severe and cynical genre’ and called it ‘quirky, silly and endearing’. It also called Leighton ‘ever charming’ in the role. The Hollywood Reporter also praised her, saying the actress lent the series ‘a congeniality to balance out Henry’s awkwardness’ and that the show itself had a ‘steady and approachable warmth’.

The Wall Street Journal also labelled her a ‘deft comedian who elevates what would have been a surprisingly smart comedy anyway’. Since the glowing reviews started rolling in, many have thrown their support behind the actress. ‘Omg Leighton deserves everything,’ user ArtVideo posted on X.

‘I’ll watch anything she’s in,’ Nora shared. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. ‘Leighton Meester back on The CW? The world is healing,’ Char added.

Speaking to TVLine about Good Cop/ Bad Cop, Leighton said she was excited to work on a comedy. ‘It is a detour a little bit, giving myself a little bit of something different is always a really great challenge for me,’ she said. ‘But at the same time, I really was excited to take on a comedy again because it’s just such a fun space to live in. And when I read the script, I, actually, was really laughing and excited to say the lines as they were, and then also collaborate and enjoy playing with it. So that’s kind of the best of all worlds.’.

In 2024 her husband, who played Seth Cohen on The O.C. from 2003 until 2007 starred alongside Kristen Bell in the break-out Netflix hit Nobody Wants This. The series, which has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was called ‘hilarious and relatable’. The performance also earnt the actor a Golden Globe nomination. It’s since been renewed for a second season.

This week it was also announced Leighton was joining the second season of the series. Netflix revealed she is set to play ‘Joanne’s (Bell’s) middle school nemesis’. Her character is ‘now an Instagram mommy influencer’. This isn’t the first time the couple have worked together, initially meeting on the set ofThe Oranges in 2011.

Last month her old music also saw a resurgence when fans supported her after the LA wildfires destroyed her family home. After many posted about her songs online, Leighton’s 2014 album Heartstrings began charting again, reaching number 21 on iTunes. This £235,000 home squeezed into an alleyway is just 91cm wide.

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Good Cop/ Bad Cop is streaming on The CW in the US. It’s unclear when it will be made available in the UK. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.