The CW has not commented officially, but inside sources confirm an Entertainment Weekly report that Billy Baldwin is in talks to play Serena van der Woodsen's (Blake Lively) absentee father in episodes of Gossip Girl later this season.

Sources say Gossip Girl has tapped the former Dirty Sexy Money star to play the pivotal role of Serena and Eric’s estranged father, William van der Woodsen.

This casting should have major implications not only for Serena, who has been hunting him down for months, but for her mom and his ex-wife, Lily.

A show spokesperson declined to comment, but EW says William Baldwin is booked to appear in at least three episodes; his first airdate is slated for April.

Presumably, this is not the same van der Woodsen encountered by young Lily in "Valley Girls" last season. He was Keith ... not that it really matters at all.

Thoughts on this piece of Gossip Girl casting?

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.