When word broke that a Gossip Girl spin-off was in the works, fans of the popular CW show were abuzz with speculation over which current cast members would leave the hit series for its new sister show.

A network insider says the spin-off will center around the younger lives of Blake Lively and Penn Badgely’s on-screen parents, played by Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle.

“The show will focus on the early romance between Lily and Rufus,” says the insider. “It begins when they first meet, during a time when Rufus and his band are at the height of their career. The show will follow the high society and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in New York.”

And GG fans need not worry! The source denies rumors that an original cast member will be leaving the show to join the spin-off. Instead, “two new actors will be hired to play the young Lily and Rufus. Producers are planning to introduce the new couple during a flashback scene in an upcoming episode of Gossip Girl.”

The insider adds the new show is slated to start filming in February.

Source