Serena is the main character in Gossip Girl (born 14 July 1991).. Serena was born into Manhattan's elite society. Her mother is Lily van der Woodsen , a very wealthy heiress, and her father William van der Woodsen, a billionaire doctor. Serena also has an younger brother named Eric, who attends Brown. Serena "seems to have it all, but in addition to a party girl reputation, dark family secrets and a disregard for high society, Serena one-ups the sulky Coop with a history of BFF betrayal.

Serena is seen to have a complicated past; when first introduced, she has come back to New York after her brother, Eric van der Woodsen, has tried to commit suicide. Serena is also finding it difficult to re-connect with her best friend, Blair Waldorf, especially when it is revealed to Blair by Nate Archibald (Blair's boyfriend) that he and Serena had sex. Her mother is revealed to be dating Chuck Bass' father, Bart Bass.

Serena's life only gets more complicated, at present she has just admitted to Dan Humphrey that she has feelings for him and appears to be re-starting their relationship.

The two talk about their relationship and decide that they will wait till the time is right. The two of them realize that this will be the last time they are together so they need to make sure they will last the distance and still love each other when they come back to each other.

In the finale flash forward, Dan and Serena get married, surrounded by friends and family.