The production and cast of And Just Like That—the sequel to the beloved series Sex and the City—are reportedly breathing a collective sigh of relief now that network executives have finally given up their efforts to bring back Kim Cattrall in a full-time role.
Kim Cattrall, who famously portrayed the bold and unapologetic Samantha Jones in the original HBO series, has long been at the center of off-screen tensions. Reports of a feud between her and lead star Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Carrie Bradshaw, have been widely circulated over the years. These interpersonal issues, combined with strained relations between Cattrall and some of the original show’s executives, led to her decision not to join the And Just Like That cast when the reboot was announced.
Despite the drama, Cattrall did appear briefly in a much-hyped cameo during the show’s second season. But it was clear from her own words that this was a one-time appearance. “This is as far as I’m going to go,” Cattrall said of her return, firmly closing the door on any hopes for a larger role in the future.
An insider told Radar Online that producers made considerable efforts to lure Cattrall back for the sake of fan nostalgia. “It’s no secret producers tried to bring Kim back, and Sarah Jessica Parker had to approve it because it was seen as something the fans wanted,” the source said. However, it was also well understood that Parker wasn’t eager to reunite professionally with her former co-star. “Everyone knows she really didn’t want to work with Kim again.”
Parker’s fellow castmates, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis—who portray Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York, respectively—are reportedly of the same mind. According to sources, both actresses are confident in the current direction of the show and believe it doesn’t need Cattrall’s presence to thrive. “They’re very clear that they don’t feel they need Kim to succeed,” the insider added.
This shift in sentiment has reportedly improved the overall atmosphere on set. According to the same source, network bosses have now backed off from pushing a reunion angle to boost viewership. “The pressure is off, and that’s helped morale,” said the insider.
While the decision to move forward without Cattrall has been met with relief by those working on the show, there remains an underlying concern: if And Just Like That ultimately fails to maintain its audience or live up to expectations, blame may fall squarely on the absence of Samantha Jones. “If the worst happens and it flops, it’ll be humiliating,” the insider admitted. “Because it will absolutely be blamed on the fact that they don’t have Kim.”
As it stands, And Just Like That continues to focus on the lives of three of the original four central characters—Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte—as they navigate aging, relationships, career changes, and evolving friendships in modern-day New York City. The show attempts to strike a balance between fan service and fresh storylines, hoping to prove that it can stand on its own without Cattrall’s iconic character.
Whether the decision to exclude Samantha from the core cast will help or hurt the series in the long run remains to be seen. But for now, the team behind And Just Like That seems content to move forward—drama-free.
