As the hit show Gilmore Girls comes back to life with its new revival on Netflix this November, Life & Style shares exclusive behind-the-scenes secrets, real-life rivalries, never-before-revealed cast romances and all the on-set gossip that fans never knew!

Alexis Bledel, who played Rory Gilmore on the beloved series, dated co-star Jared Padalecki (who played her boyfriend Dean) offscreen — something that’s never been reported before.

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“We did have a joke about casting all of Alexis’ [real-life] boyfriends,” casting director Mara Casey reveals. “She dated Jared and Milo (Ventimiglia). And she also dated a young New York actor named Chris Heuisler, who played a guest role. Real sweet kid.”

Alexis and Milo’s relationship, however, was public. The actress has admitted they even talked marriage. Milo played Rory’s second boyfriend Jess Mariano, the “bad boy” of Stars Hollow.

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Their chemistry on-screen? It’s still undeniable, even though casting director Jami Rudofsky says she never had Alexis do a chemistry read with Milo. “Sometimes with casting, the right person just walks in and you just feel it,” adds Jami.

That’s how she felt when Jared auditioned for the part of Rory’s first boyfriend, Dean Forester. “There had already been two Deans cast before we found him,” she says. “But there is something about Jared.”

For more Gilmore Girls secrets from the set — including on-set rivalries — pick up the latest issue on newsstands now!