Tempting as it may be to mistake Mr. Edward Westwick for a real-life version of his Gossip Girl alter ego - almost everyone knows by now that he plays the show's now-notorious Chuck Bass - the actor (who simply goes by "Ed") is quick to insist that any similarities between them are purely superficial.

"We look the same," he says, "but that's about it, darling."

Well, that's not quite it.

While Teen Vogue - which profiles the handsome Gossip Girl star in its new issue - will happily concede that the actor, 21, is likely not driven by the same "inner emptiness" and all-consuming "desire for revenge" that he ascribes to his recently orphaned character, Westwick does share some of Chuck Bass sunnier qualities.

For example, that charmingly louche affect.

And just as Chuck's every assignation is faithfully tracked by the show's titular know-it-all narrator, Ed's own rumored make-out sessions (with Drew Barrymore and, lately, co-star Jessica Szohr) serve as fodder for numerous gossip sites.

He's cagey, of course, when it comes to specifics, but his outlook on romance represents another big difference between Chuck and him: "I'm all for being in love," he notes. "Whenever I like someone, I end up pretty much completely smitten."

Follow the jump for more of the magazine's feature on Ed Westwick, as well as a behind the scenes interview / video of his photo shoot for Teen Vogue ...

He may be the opposite of Chuck Bass in many ways, but Ed seems truly to adore playing the now-infamous Upper East Sider as his primary gig.

"I learn so much every day, every week, every episode," he says. "And everyone on the show has created this great bond. We're like a family."

But the 21-year-old Brit is still happy for a chance to prove to his audience that he's capable of playing more than just its favorite smug rich boy.

In the upcoming S. Darko (a sequel to the 2001 cult hit Donnie Darko), he's "a small-town guy who never really lived up to his potential."

He's also hoping to make another movie during Gossip Girl's summer hiatus.

And though his rock band, the Filthy Youth, is largely defunct - "I'm busy with the show," he explains, "and they're back in England" - he says he's looking to put together a new, New York City–based rock group.

The details may be sketchy, but Ed is cheerfully confident. "I'm sure," he says, "you haven't heard the last of me yet."

Here's a video of the Gossip Girl star courtesy of Teen Vogue ...

[video url="http://www.tvfanatic.com/videos/ed-westwick-in-teen-vogue/" title="Ed Westwick in Teen Vogue"] [/video]

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