Ivy Dickens
| Ivy Dickens | |
|---|---|
| Gossip Girl character | |
| First appearance | "The Kids Stay in the Picture" (episode 4.18) |
| Portrayed by | Kaylee DeFer |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Charlotte "Charlie" Rhodes |
| Occupation | Actress Con artist Waitress (former) |
| Family | as Charlie Rhodes: Carol Rhodes (mother) Lillian "Lily" Humphrey (maternal aunt) Serena van der Woodsen (cousin) Eric van der Woodsen (cousin) Celia "CeCe" Rhodes (maternal grandmother) |
Ivy Dickens (alias: Charlotte "Charlie" Rhodes) is a fictional character who exclusively appears in the Gossip Girl television adaptation, portrayed by Kaylee DeFer. She first appears in "The Kids Stay in the Picture," initially appearing as Serena's estranged cousin, Charlie Rhodes whom Serena takes under her wing and introduces Charlie to the Upper East Side. The fourth season finale "The Wrong Goodbye," reveals her true identity as Ivy Dickens, a struggling actress and con artist hired by Carol Rhodes to pose as her daughter in order to gain access to the real Charlie Rhodes' trust fund.[1]
DeFer was promoted to series regular for the fifth season in light of cast members Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr's departure.[2] She is the newest addition to the female cast of Gossip Girl villains, joining the likes of Georgina Sparks and Juliet Sharp.
TV series
Casting and Characterization
Introduced in the fourth season, DeFer was set to join the cast as Carol's daughter and Serena and Eric's cousin, Charlie Rhodes. DeFer's contract with the show also included the possibility of her becoming a series regular for the fifth season.[3] She first auditioned for the role of Raina Thorpe, however the role went to Tika Sumpter. DeFer was called back for the role of Charlie Rhodes, with the the show's writers stating that they writing something new for her character.[1] DeFer had also previously worked with Gossip Girl executive producers, Stephanie Savage and Joe Lazarov as well as Penn Badgley in The Mountain.[4]
Executive producer Joshua Safran later commented on her introduction and the perception that the character brought to the show. "We always like it when we have new people who are witnessing this world for the first time...For Charlie, it’s like trial by fire. From reading Gossip Girl for the first time or going to your first event, all that stuff we get to do over again in a new way."[5]
Charlie's integration also made her a voice for the audience and critics of Gossip Girl. TV Fanatic warmly welcomed her character, stating that she "good-naturedly mocked the show and its often convoluted plot lines."[6] DeFer would later reveal details behind her characters involvement in the fourth season finale. "As far as I know I’m just in the next five episodes until the season finale, and then I have no idea. But I really hope we get the opportunity to finish what Charlie started as I think it’s going to be a story-line that people will really want to follow." DeFer also states that Charlie is more relatable in comparison to other characters that have appeared in the show. "She is such a real person, not being from that life and what not..."[4]
Season 4
First appearing in season 4's eighteenth episode as family relative Charlie Rhodes,under this alias she bonds a relationship with Dan Humphrey, however he puts a stop to anything further happening between the two of them due to his history with her cousin, Serena. His judgement later changes for Charlie when Vanessa ruins a professional meeting planned by her. Causing him to shut Vanessa out in the cold and let Charlie in closer, the two then begin an awkward relationship concluding when Charlie dresses up as Serena and demands Dan to call her by that name in the seasons penultimate episode, it is then stated she has refused to take her medication. Leaving the upper east side she meets up with her 'mother', Carol, in the seasons final moments Charlie Rhodes is revealed to be Ivy Dickens a con artist. In her final scene she puts a napkin with Georgina's number in her bag which suspects a team up between the two for the fifth season.
With regard to her involvement in the finale, DeFer discussed her character's involvement. "Charlie has a great deal to do with the season finale...but what I am allowed to say is that Charlie does mix it up with every character."[4]
Season 5
Reception
Charlie became the subject of praise with her successful integration into the Upper East side. TV Fanatic praised and welcomed her presence in the show.[6] During the fourth season episode, The Princesses and the Frog, Steve Marsi praised her choice of confronting Vanessa alone, calling her "a natural" at schemes and that "even an outsider can thoroughly outshine an outcast."[7] TV Guide praised the ousting of Vanessa by Charlie, stating that "it didn't take her long to cross over to "the other side"".[8]
References
- ^ a b "Gossip Girl - Season 5 - Kaylee DeFer". CWTelevision. YouTube. 23-09-2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 9, 2011). "Gossip Girl Exclusive: Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr Not Returning For Season 5". TV Line.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 1, 2011). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Glee, House, Gossip Girl, HIMYM, Modern Family and More!". TV Line. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c "We Shine the Spotlight on the Newest GOSSIP GIRL Kaylee DeFer". the TV addict. 25-04-2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Stack, Tim (18-04-2011). "'Gossip Girl' scoop: Meet Serena's cousin, Charlie". EW.com.
{{cite web}}: Check|archiveurl=value (help); Check date values in:|date=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Marsi, Steve (April 25, 2011). "Gossip Girl Review: You and I Are Not Friends". Tv Fanatic. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
- ^ Marsi, Steve (2011-05-03). "Gossip Girl Review: Royal Wedding Dreams, Awful Schemes". TV Fanatic. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ^ Ostlie, Ashley (2011-05-03). "Gossip Girl Episode Recap: "The Princesses and the Frog"". TV Guide. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
