Michelle Trachtenberg was far more than just a talented actress—she was also a gifted writer. But according to those who knew her, Hollywood never fully recognized that side of her. Best known for her unforgettable roles in Harriet the Spy and Gossip Girl, Trachtenberg left a lasting impression on audiences. However, behind the scenes, she had a sharp, compelling voice as a writer that the industry largely overlooked.
Director Casey Tebo, a longtime admirer of her work, recently revealed just how remarkable her talent was. Speaking to PEOPLE after her tragic passing on February 26 at the age of 39, he recalled a script she had written called Toy Monster. Tebo admitted that only a handful of scripts had ever stayed with him in such a profound way, and Toy Monster was one of them. In fact, he placed it alongside Here Comes the Flood by Simon Kinberg, calling both of them “the best, by a landslide.”
A Hidden Talent Hollywood Never Embraced
Despite her early success in acting—landing her first screen role on Law & Order at just six years old and starring as Harriet in Harriet the Spy by the age of 11—Trachtenberg faced a common Hollywood challenge. She was typecast. People loved her for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, where she played the unforgettable Georgina Sparks. But according to Tebo, that typecasting came at a cost.
“One of the issues with our industry is they will recognize someone like Simon as a great writer, but they will always look at Michelle as Harriet the Spy or Georgina Sparks,” he explained. That inability to see beyond an actor’s most famous roles meant that her skills as a writer were never given the attention they deserved.
Toy Monster—A Brilliant, Unmade Masterpiece
Trachtenberg’s Toy Monster wasn’t just any script—it was a biting, sharp dramedy set in the 1950s, centered around a ruthless toy executive. Adapted from Jerry Oppenheimer’s Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel, the screenplay had all the makings of a brilliant and timely film. With Hollywood currently obsessed with stories about the people behind iconic brands—think Flamin’ Hot (about Cheetos) or Unfrosted (about Pop-Tarts)—her script would have fit right in. And with the massive success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, a film skewering the corporate world behind the famous doll would have been a perfect cultural follow-up.
Tebo, deeply moved by the script, is now determined to get the movie made. After first revealing his admiration for it in an X (formerly Twitter) post on the day of her passing, he doubled down on his commitment. “I’m doing everything I can to get this movie made,” he wrote. “We just need to find the right director, and I promise we will get it made for her.”
Fighting for Recognition in an Unforgiving Industry
Hollywood isn’t exactly known for being fair when it comes to recognizing talent, and Trachtenberg’s case is a clear example. “The truth is—Michelle was an incredible writer. But no one expects her to write like that,” Tebo said. He pointed out that the industry struggles with giving people proper credit, fair compensation, and the recognition they deserve—an issue he believed Trachtenberg knew all too well.
Despite these challenges, she still managed to make her mark in other ways. Over her three-decade career, she produced two projects: the 2015 web series Guidance and the true crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder, which she also hosted. While she never got the chance to fully showcase her writing prowess during her lifetime, her legacy as a storyteller endures.
A Script as Powerful as The Wolf of Wall Street
Tebo is passionate about seeing Toy Monster come to life, calling it “one of the best screenplays I’ve ever read” and even comparing it to The Wolf of Wall Street in terms of its brilliance. If the film does get made, it won’t just be a tribute to Trachtenberg’s writing ability—it’ll be a testament to a talent that Hollywood failed to recognize in her lifetime.
Michelle Trachtenberg was more than just Harriet the Spy. More than Georgina Sparks. She was a storyteller, a creator, and a writer with a voice that deserved to be heard. And thanks to those who believe in her work, that voice might still get the spotlight it always should have had.
Login