And Just Like That wrapped up Carrie Bradshaw’s story — again — but did Kim Cattrall reprise her role as Samantha Jones in the series finale?
During the final episode of And Just Like That’s third season, which aired Thursday, August 14, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is figuring out the next chapter of her life without a man. Meanwhile, Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in her new apartment, trying to move forward after her son, Brady, revealed he got a girl pregnant. Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) is focused on her marriage following her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Cattrall, 68, however, was nowhere to be seen after not signing on for the HBO Max spinoff.
Sex and the City premiered in 1998 and focused on Carrie’s dating life in New York City and her friendships with Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha. After Sex and the City premiered on HBO, the show expanded with two movies. A prequel titled The Carrie Diaries also aired on The CW.
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Cattrall was the only central cast member who didn’t reprise their role when And Just Like That premiered in December 2021. At the time, showrunner Michael Patrick King noted that the new series was never going to reunite SATC’s core friend group.
“It never was on the radar as four because Kim Cattrall, for whatever reason, didn’t want to play Samantha anymore while we were doing the [third] movie,” King, 70, told The Hollywood Reporter. “I never thought, ‘Oh, there’s a hole I have to fill.’ Samantha doesn’t not exist in their lives. [And Just Like That] was born of these three characters: What’s their life, and who can I bring in to inform it?”
Cattrall ended up making a brief cameo during season 2 when Samantha spoke with Carrie over the phone, but she filmed the scene solo. After the surprise appearance, Cattrall shut down rumors that she was in talks to return again.
“Aw that’s so kind but I’m not,” she wrote via X in July 2024.
Earlier this month, King confirmed that And Just Like That would not return for a fourth season.
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“And just like that … the ongoing storytelling of the Sex And The City universe is coming to an end. While I was writing the last episode of And Just Like That season three, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop,” read the statement. “Along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Casey Bloys and Sarah Aubrey, we decided to end the popular series this year with a two-part finale and extended the original series order from 10 episodes to 12.”
King explained why the news wasn’t announced before the show’s third season premiered in May.
“SJP and I held off announcing the news until now because we didn’t want the word ‘final’ to overshadow the fun of watching the season,” he continued. “It’s with great gratitude we thank all the viewers who have let these characters into their homes and their hearts over these many years.”
Sex and the City and And Just Like That are currently streaming on HBO Max.
