And Just Like That… Carrie’s Back!
HBO Max
Pour yourself a cosmo ladies and gentleman because, amidst Hollywood’s addiction to revivals, our favorite sassy single is back and better than ever. Sara Jessica Parker (SJP) revisits the glamorous and ambivalently independent Carrie Bradshaw in a grand return to television, but this time under a different title. A new chapter warrants a new name, and this ten episode sequel series is entitled And Just Like That. Audiences do not know a lot about the reboot as it has been kept under tight wraps with SJP recently responding to Vogue’s queries regarding the show by stating, “I’m going to leave you very unsatisfied”. So naturally, I couldn’t help but wonder… what will this revival entail?
One cannot deny that Sex and the City is a champion of feminist ideals, specifically that women cannot be reduced to their preferences, habits or bodies. However, the HBO hit was a product of its time, leaving audiences to hope that the revival pays attention to certain important elements. Diversity, for example, was largely unacknowledged in the revolution of white, upper class female empowerment that did little to include relevant ethnic or LGBTQ+ characters who went beyond stereotypes. And Just Like That will try to atone for at least some of the franchise’s past mistakes; it has been confirmed that Grey’s Anatomy alum, Sara Ramirez, will join the cast portraying a non-binary stand up comedian who is hopefully not the only casting that addresses this issue.
Further, for a show about sexual relationships, Sex and the City did little to explore beyond the heteronormative. The six season series was a trailblazer in a myriad of ways, empowering the idea of sexual, ambitious and fallible women who navigated love and life without shame or apology. However, while having multiple sexual partners was normalized, those partners being both men and women was deemed a problem. When maven PR Executive Samantha Jones entered into a relationship with a woman, her friends were baffled and confused as to what her sexuality was “supposed to be”. Optimistically, And Just Like That will evolve outdated ideals and display characters or conversations that explore different sexualities in a city as rich with diversity as New York.
Possibly the largest hurdle for this revival will be continuing on without the widely regarded soul of the series, the infamous Samantha. HBO Max’s chief content officer Casey Bloys smartly explains that, “Friendships fade, and new friendships start… It is all very indicative of the real stages, the actual stages of life. They’re trying to tell an honest story about being a woman in her 50s in New York.” While audiences everywhere are skeptical about the revival sans Samantha, And Just Like That should still be on everyone’s must-watch list this December, if only to witness the eccentric fashion the series is sure to provide.
Despite past mistakes, the women of Sex and the City are wildly beloved because they taught audiences about life – from sex, to friendship, to feminism, to fashion. These women felt real. And Just Like That will display Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte as they experience their 50s, but by no means does aging equate to abandoning one’s true self. Manolos and tulle dresses will always be on the menu as the strong female leads continue to expose truths about modern dating, gender disparity, and ageism. Anticipating And Just Like That’s release, we look forward to celebrating women for who they are – at any age, along with telling new, diverse stories of those trying to have it all in the big city. As for audiences, no matter their age or gender, anyone can relate to the story of finding meaningful friendships, fulfilling work, and a big love.
Riley Kubaska