Sarah Jessica Parker is well-known for playing Carrie Bradshaw on the legendary television series “Sex and the City” and its new sequel series “And Just Like That.” In this beautiful reflection, she makes Carrie’s intricate story of love, loss, and personal growth come to life. That hasn’t stopped the character from widely being maligned—even receiving enough vitriol to inspire the satirical website “Carrie Bradshaw Is the Worst.” Parker welcomes Carrie’s journey and recognizes it as the story of growth and resilience.
In recent interviews, Parker discussed how her portrayal of Carrie has continued to evolve alongside societal expectations and personal experiences. She teased that the new season goes beyond humor to tackle heavier themes. It poetically addresses surviving beyond grief’s reach, the end of beloved rituals. The show delves into Carrie’s relationships with her friends. It showcases her volatile relationship with Aidan, which Parker feels is an appropriate trial for a character at this point in her life.
We see it all the time. I mean, every single place has lines round the corner,” Parker said, highlighting the enduring allure of fashion and style. Whenever people think of Carrie Bradshaw, it’s easy to picture her famous fashion sense—those big high heels and eye-popping dresses. Parker thinks putting on a show and going all out is definitely key. It’s a conviction that’s particularly salient as New York fully leans into the athleisure wear trend.
In his keynote, Parker expressed his profound alarm regarding this cultural change. It’s more than a worry, he stressed, when artists are increasingly struggling to make a life in the city. She has great nostalgia for the ways neighborhoods like Harlem and West Village were redeveloped and gentrified in the past, often generating opposition from people who settled there generations ago.
I remember they said that about the meatpacking, too – they told us we drove it out, she remarked. “It happens – the West Village is a very charming advent calendar kind of neighborhood, and it’s been through many versions of this.”
Carrie’s journey serves an even larger purpose, though, in telling the story of the evolution of female characters on television. Often described as TV’s first female antihero, Carrie’s complexities resonate with many viewers, including younger audiences who now find her relatable. Parker was excited by this dynamic on screen, noting that like any human being, Carrie is made up of both her shortcomings and saving graces.
Well, just as many people hate her as love her, though! Parker added. She shared her love of morally ambiguous characters on the small screen, comparing her love of that show to her love for “The Sopranos.”
“I prefer that to any other description of her, because it allows her to be as male as the men have been,” she noted. “An antihero, to me, is somebody that’s not behaving in conventional ways, and she hasn’t ever.”
Throughout this season of “And Just Like That,” we’ve seen the relationship between Carrie and Aidan go from idealistic bliss to full-blown nightmare. Reflecting on this growth, Parker stated, “It’s no surprise that at this point in her life, she’s just more equipped, like we all are. I think I’m responding differently to things now just because I have ten years more experience.
The influence of Carrie’s character on popular culture is still felt today. I was the one who coined the mantra Single & Fabulous. It still resonates today, a testament to the character’s lasting legacy.
Throughout the series Parker has been 1000% committed to honestly portraying Carrie, a choice that’s not been easy given outside criticism. “I’ve been an actor for 50 years, and I’ve almost never paid attention to peripheral chatter,” she remarked regarding the backlash against certain storylines in “And Just Like That.”
Parker hopes to add an additional layer to the story by focusing on Carrie’s experience of loss. This odyssey starts with the passing of her husband, Mr. Big, in the premiere episode of the spin-off series. By approaching the world’s most complicated issues, she hopes to give audiences a full picture of life’s struggles and victories.
Ultimately, Parker is most hopeful about Carries’ story arc and the impact it has on viewers today. She wants the series to further explore ideas about home, happiness, and finding yourself. Beyond that, she aims to bring audiences in to experience complex and nuanced characters.