The Reason Jess' 'Gilmore Girls' Spinoff Never Happened Is Simply Not Good Enough

Chloe Williams​
Oct 01, 2024
jess mariano gilmore girls spinoffjess mariano gilmore girls spinoff

You don't necessarily have to be Team Jess to agree that life without Milo Ventimiglia's Gilmore Girls spinoff is devastating. The series, which was tentatively called Windward Circle, was supposed to use an episode of Gilmore Girls season 3 when Jess goes to California to find his dad as a sort of backdoor pilot (an episode of an existing show that features a ton of new characters to test if they're well-received). But unfortunately, even though we found the concept wildly entertaining, the CW pulled the plug.

milo ventimiglia jess mariano

Warner Bros. Television

Considering Milo Ventimiglia is a star, and Jess is so beloved, the fact that Windward Circle never happened makes me just as sad as the idea that Gilmore Girls season 7 wasn't supposed to be the finale! Here's everything you need to know about the series that never was. Sigh.

Why was Windward Circle cancelled?

The CW/The WB/YouTube

Even though Gilmore Girls already introduced the characters we'd see in Windward Circle, according to IMDb, the show was reportedly scrapped because it was too expensive to film in Venice Beach. Stars Hollow is actually part of the Warner Brothers lot so Gilmore Girls didn't have to film on location often. Windward Circle would have been a different story.

"I think she really wanted that to be such a different vibe from the leaves falling in Stars Hollow to being out in Venice in California," saysGilmore Girls writer and consulting producer Stan Zimmerman. "It just never gelled into anything, but it was interesting to see Jess's life and what that would've been like."

"There is just something about the East Coast...those leaves changing," he continues. "It just has this cool, towny feeling you just want to hang out in and it's very warm."

What was Windward Circle about?

The WB/The CW/YouTube

The Jess Mariano spinoff would have focused on his relationship with his dad, and his life in California. If you ask me, Jess' witty comebacks and all that leather would have been just as entertaining on a California beach as it was in Stars Hollow.

Although, knowing how much we love a teen drama romance, there's a chance Jess would have ended up with someone besides Rory. I don't know if I could have handled that!

Do we ever see Jess again?

Netflix

Yes! Jess Mariano returns in a few season 4 episodes, and in Gilmore Girls season 6. He also shows up in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and has a beautiful conversation with Rory that PROVES they're endgame. I will not be taking suggestions!

Were there any other planned Gilmore Girls spinoffs?

Warner Bros. Television

Another idea for a spinoff of sorts involved Rory and Lorelai coming back for another 13 episodes after the season 7 finale. But Lauren Graham told TVGuide in 2007 that she and Alexis Bledel were ready for a break from the insane filming schedules.

"Right now you have me working six to seven days an episode, and Alexis doing about the same," she said. "They tried to make it appealing for us, and we tried to be imaginative, but then at the end of the day it just felt like we were trying to do something impossible."

Tell us your best ideas for a Jess Gilmore Girls spinoff on Facebook!

Lead image via Warner Bros. Television

Um, Anne Hathaway's "Wild" First 'Verity' Footage Is "Mind-Bending"

I've been on the edge of my seat for Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson's Verity (even before I saw It Ends With Us), and after hearing about the first look that aired at CinemaCon this week, the internet is even more locked in on the “gothic, psychosexual thriller” (as the film's described by director Mike Showalter) than they've ever been.

Here's what the Verity cast, including Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, had to say about the new movie from Colleen Hoover.

What is Verity about?

Any Colleen Hoover fan knows the Verity movie revolves around Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), who gets hired by Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett) to finish his wife's novels. Renowned author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) is no longer able to write after a tragic accident, but what begins as an exciting project takes a turn for the horrifying when Lowen discovers Verity is hiding a terrible secret.

Anne Hathaway promises 'Verity' is worth "waiting for."

At Amazon MGM's CinemaCon presentation, the Verity cast, Colleen Hoover, and Mike Showalter offered attendees a new look at the movie via video message.

“My character Verity Crawford is an accomplished author with a tragic past,” Anne said, while Dakota joked, “Or is she?”

Josh added, “My character, Jeremy Crawford, is a devoted husband who’s committed to protecting his wife’s legacy.”

“Or is he?” Dakota said again.

“One thing we can say for sure is that seeing Verity in theaters will give fans the shared experience they’ve been waiting for," Anne promised.

And everyone's losing it over the "wild" footage from CinemaCon!

The presentation also included the first trailer for the movie, which showed Verity and Jeremy meeting at a bar — which explains those iconic set leaks of Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnettrunning through the streets of New York! And when Jeremy's introduced to Lowen and brings her to their giant home, he tells her "she's the only writer who can do this"...and then they begin their own illicit affair. And as they have a hot make out sesh on the couch, Lowen realizes she's kissing Verity and not Jeremy. Wow.

"Just saw the first footage for VERITY starring Josh Hartnett, Anne Hathaway, and Dakota Johnson," @JoeySpielberg says on X. It looks like it’s gonna be good but I honestly couldn’t tell you the plot is but it’s definitely gonna be wild. Seems like a movie you just don’t know what happens next."

"The footage showcases a sexy, mind-bending thriller," @howatdk agrees.

We're sure to see many more shocks and surprises when Verity hits theaters May 15, 2026.

Check out the 10 Most-Anticipated Book-To-Film Adaptations We Can't Wait To See In 2025.

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Trader Joe’s Shoppers Say This New $9 Night Cream Easily Rivals Luxury Brands

A new Trader Joe’s skincare find just hit shelves, and beauty fans are already reeling about its similarities to more luxury products! The night cream features a handful of ingredients that are commonly found in pricier skincare options, but this TJ’s pick costs a fraction of its suspected competitors.

As a Versed Sweet Relief overnight cream loyalist (I use it every single day without fail), I must say I'm thoroughly convinced to try this new Trader Joe’s item after reading shoppers’ reactions!

Scroll on to discover the all-new Trader Joe’s skincare product worth adding to your routine!

Reddit

Trader Joe’s Night Cream is a brand-new addition to their collection of skincare goodies. In fact, it’s so new that it’s not listed on their website quite yet. Despite its newcomer status, tons of shoppers are already buzzing about the Trader Joe’s Night Cream.

Reddit

One TJ’s fan on Reddit surfaced the new find on the r/TraderJoe’s subreddit, and skincare lovers were super quick to chime in.

Per the post, the Trader Joe’s Night Cream is formulated with Irish sea moss extract, a fermented mushroom complex, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate. It’s also unscented, which can be super beneficial for sensitive skin in need of moisture.

The TJ’s fan that found the night cream on shelves reported that it is “very thick but dry at the same time. I really had to work it into the skin,” they said. “Very odd consistency.”

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Another shopper that tried the Trader Joe’s Night Cream weighed in on their experience:

“Using it sparingly since I’m quite pregnant and don’t want to mess with sensitive skin but so far it’s quite nice!” they said. “Thick but not greasy in the slightest. I still feel it on my skin when I rinse my face in the AM which means it held up overnight in my dry altitude climate.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Several more users compared this new TJ’s formula to other products on the market, mentioning Asian beauty and even retinol for its anti-aging benefits.

“It’s interesting to see all the fermented ingredients in this!” one person commented. “I know that they have been very popular in Asian skincare for years, but I don’t see it that often in the States. I’m excited to try this! Thanks for sharing, I’m going to be on the lookout now.”

“Based on the ingredients list, I suspect this might be a Korean product,” another TJ’s shopper agreed.

“Irish Sea Moss is considered an excellent retinol alternative so if it agrees with one’s skin, not a bad option for those who can’t tolerate or don’t want harsh actives,” one more skincare fan noted.

MARA Beauty

One Redditor confirmed that a single 2-ounce jar of the Trader Joe’s Night Cream cost just $9. Similar moisturizers that leverage sea moss in their formulas (like Wildling’s Moonbounce 2% Bioretinol Irish Sea Moss Plumping Moisturizer and MARA's SeaDream Algae Crème) average around $73, which is insane.

KoolShooters / PEXELS

This TJ’s find could be a great way to try out the sea moss skincare wave without shelling out a fortune! Per episode 87 of The Inside Trader Joe's Podcast, it’s certifiably “high-quality” and “incredibly functional.”

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Juno Temple Will Star In Apple TV's New Comedy 'The Husbands'

Jenna Bush Hager chose Holly Gramazio's The Husbands as her book club's April pick in 2024 and it became an instant bestseller. Evidently, Apple TV took notice and decided it would be an excellent idea to adapt it into a new drama series! We're fond of adaptations here, so we're elated to this fresh storyline come to life. But, guess what else we're intrigued about?

The Husbands series has already found it's lead star in Ted Lasso and Fargo actress Juno Temple! Her characters are fan favorites, so we're sure she's going to do her lead role in this series justice.

Scroll to learn more exhilarating news about The Husbands series!

What is 'The Husbands' about?

Amazon

The Husbands chronicles one woman's journey as she explores an ever-changing life with different men she's never met before. But this isn't a tale of reckless one-night stands. On the contrary, Lauren will be as confused as readers and viewers because she's not sure what's happening.

It all begins with her return to her home and the realization that a man who's strangely familiar with her is calling himself her husband. Unbeknownst to her, she's been married to Michael for a while despite not knowing who he is. What's even more ironic is that her friends think something's wrong with her because they know who her husband is.

In the midst of trying to decipher this phenomenon, Lauren's shocked when Michael disappears into the attic and a new man returns in his place. As she watches her surroundings change to accommodate life with him, Lauren slowly realizes her attic has created a portal that allows her to live out different fantasies with a revolving door of men. But, she'll have to ask herself what she really wants and if she's willing to hang on to one reality instead of wishing for more.

Has more cast information been released?

Diana Patient

Holly Gramazio, Author of The Husbands

We know Juno Temple will star in The Husbands, but there haven't been more cast announcements just yet (via Variety). There's so many options for the many spouses she could have which makes us want to dream about our own casting wishlist.

Who's the executive producers of the series?

Diana Patient

Holly Gramazio, Author Of The Husbands

According to Apple TV+, writer Miriam Battye (Succession) will be executive producing The Husbands with Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya), and Annie Marter of Fortunate Jack Productions (The Devil All The Time), author Holly Gramazio and A24.

We love when authors are allowed to give their input in TV or film adaptations!

When will 'The Husbands' premiere on Apple TV? 

Production hasn't started on The Husbands TV series yet, but we'll share more information once it's available!

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5 Best Shows To Watch After You Finish '1923'

As 1923 comes to a close, you might be wondering, What should I watch after 1923? Well you've come to right place because on the latest episode of Yap City, Brit + Co hosts Kayla and Chloe (that's me!) chat about the best Western TV shows to add to your watchlist. From When Calls The Heart for romance fans to Billy the Kid for Tom Blyth lovers, these shows can't be missed.

Here are the best Western shows to watch after you finish 1923 season 2.

What should I watch after 1923?

There are plenty of TV shows any 1923 fan will love (beyond 1883 and Yellowstone of course!)

5 TV Shows To Watch After You Finish '1923' Season 2

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Landman — Stream on Paramount+

In this Taylor Sheridan show, crisis executive Tommy Norris is fighting to secure his company's spot in the oil business during a fuel boom. Easier said than done. 1923 fans, keep your eyes peeled for Michelle Randolph!

Landman is on Paramount+ and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, James Jordan, Mark Collie, Paulina Chávez, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Andy Garcia, and Michael Peña.

Prime Video

Outer Range — Stream on Prime Video

If you like your Westerns with a side of sci-fi, tune into Outer Range. This show follows the Abbott family, who are trying to protect their ranch while also reconciling their daughter-in-law's disappearance. But things get even crazier when a black void appears.

Outer Range is on Prime Video and stars Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Noah Reid, and Imogen Poots.

Hallmark Media

When Calls the Heart — Stream on Hallmark+

1923 fans who can't get enough of Spencer & Alex's romance will want to watch When Calls the Heart, which follows teacher Elizabeth Thatcher as she relocates to the small town of Coal Valley, and faces all kinds of love, loss, and adventure.

When Calls the Heart is on Hallmark+ and stars Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, Pascale Hutton, Jaeda Lily Miller, Kavan Smith, Andrea Brooks, Chris McNally, Martin Cummins, Viv Leacock, and Jack Wagner.

David Brown/MGM+

Billy The Kid — Stream on MGM+

Before he became the infamous outlaw, Billy was just a kid who experienced all kinds of heartbreak, fell in love, and got into plenty of trouble. Watch our interview with star Tom Blyth!

Stream Billy The Kid on MGM+ and see Tom Blyth, Eileen O'Higgins, Daniel Webber, and Alex Roe.

Ursula Coyote/Netflix

Godless — Stream on Netflix

Godless is the perfect show for 1923 fans because it reorients the cowboy narrative we're all familiar with. It follows a supposed traitor named Roy who's chased by a gang of outlaws to La Belle, a town nearly entirely governed by women after a mining accident killed almost all the husbands, fathers, and brothers.

Godless is on Netflix and stars Jack O'Connell, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Will there be another series after 1923?

Paramount

There are a few more Yellowstone spinoffs on their way! In addition to the new show The Madison with Michelle Pfeiffer, it looks like we're also getting a spinoff about Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler.

What order to watch Yellowstone 1883 and 1923?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

If you're new to the Yellowstone universe, you can watch the shows in chronological order or in release order, depending on how you want to experience the story. If you want to watch chronologically (my personal favorite), watch the shows in the following order:

  • 1883
  • 1923
  • Yellowstone

But if you want to watch in release order, watch this way:

  • Yellowstone
  • 1883
  • 1923

Check out even more Western show recommendations with our 17 TV Shows For Yellowstone Fans!

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9 Gingham Maxi Dresses For A Chic & Easy Spring Outfit

Gingham dresses are one of our most-anticipated spring dress trends, and we’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pieces ever since they came back on the scene. Charming and nostalgic, gingham maxi dresses in particular are so stunning for springtime. They offer the playfulness of the classic pattern plus plenty of coverage so you can easily navigate the everyday. After searching high and low, we’re bringing you the 9 of the sweetest gingham maxi dresses from our go-to retailers!

Scroll on to shop the cutest gingham maxi dresses for spring!

Nordstrom

Princess Polly Cartmel Gingham Check Maxi Dress

This prairie-inspired dress is so sweet. It's got plenty of coverage, though the upper half fitted with a square neckline leans more femme and flirty. The flowy skirt just barely grazes the floor, enhancing the breeziness of the design! Plus, we adore that the gingham is a bit bulkier, as opposed to more micro patterns.

Reformation

Reformation Kiria Dress

This pick's complete with a totally-smocked bodice that hugs your upper half in the best way possible. It also comes down on your waist a bit further than you'd expect, supplying an elongating drop waist effect (which is super trendy at the mome). The cap sleeve-high neck combo feel undeniably cutesy together – we'd pair this dress with some ballet flats for an easy get-up.

Quince

Quince 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress

This dress' silhouette is fairly simple, meaning you can style it in endless ways for spring and summer. No matter what you wear it with, it's especially nice on the waistline, thanks to the subtle pleating and stretchy, smocked back panel.

Urban Outfitters

Kimchi Blue Renee Smocked Maxi Dress

To amp up the feminine vibes even further, this maxi dress is dotted in illustrations of bows and lil' fruits that recall the spring season perfectly! The straps in the back make a criss-cross shape that's both pretty and practical for holding you in.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

Abercrombie & Fitch simply kills it in the dress department every time. Case in point is this drop-dead gorgeous red gingham number that's elevated by some puff sleeves and a stylish tiered skirt. All the details found throughout this piece make it feel so whimsical and wonderfully comfy for spring outings.

Reformation

Reformation Elvira Dress

Bubble hem? Check. Open back? Check. This Reformation dress has it all, especially if you're all about taking on the latest fashion trends. It even has a subtle drop waist for an undeniable princess feel.

Nordstrom

City Chic Valley Check Maxi Dress

The sleeves on this adorable green number come with ties for a unique detail you can't often find in other gingham maxi dresses.

Nordstrom

Dôen Emmaretta Gingham Pleated Voile Maxi Dress

With a milkmaid neckline, this maxi is downright dreamy. It's also tastefully embellished with some ruffles and bows up front, adding to the vibe even more. We'd rock this cutie with some white Mary Jane flats or even brown cowgirl boots to pair up with the sheer timelessness of gingham.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Mila Stretch Midi Dress

The vertical seaming on this A&F dress give it a flattering quality, smoothing and shaping your waist to a tee. What's more is the cotton-blend fabric it's cut from is infused with a good amount of stretch to ensure it's comfy all day long!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more stunning fashion finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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