Spotted: “Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford strolling the Upper East Side streets with on-screen cousin (and romantic rival) Aaron Tveit.

Zap2it has confirmed that Aaron Tveit is returning to “Gossip Girl” as Trip van der Bilt for a multi-episode arc this season. No word on why he’s back… but we’re guessing his political aspirations may be taking a bit of a hit this season, given his family’s involvement with gossip writer  Diana Payne (Elizabeth Hurley) and Dan’s (Penn Badgley) tell-all book.

Either that, or he could have his eye on Serena again. She’s already gone two whole episodes this season without a love interest. That just doesn’t happen.

Trip last appeared in Season 3 when a steamy affair with Serena threatened his political career and his marriage. 

He’s not on the best of terms with the Archibald side of the family — Nate, who was in love with Serena at the time, punched his cousin after Trip and Serena got into a car accident. You know, since Trip put Serena, who was unconscious, in the driver’s seat so he wouldn’t get blamed for the wreck.

He’s a classy dude.

What are your thoughts, “Gossip” fans? Are you looking forward to having Trip back in the city? What do you think his agenda is?