The Sex and the City stars return to our screens on Thursday in And Just Like That – HBO’s revival of the hit sitcom.
The new series, which catches up with the Cosmopolitan-drinking city women almost 20 years after the show ended, sees Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reprise their iconic roles – although Kim Cattrall sadly won’t be returning to play Samantha.
And Just Like That will follow the friends as they navigate parenthood, friendship and New York in their fifties and sixties, with the 10-parter airing on Sky Max in the UK.
Aside from the main trio, the series will see a number of familiar faces return, from Mr Big and Steve Brady, to Harry Goldenblatt and Stanford Blatch (played by the late Willie Garson).
Meanwhile, the show will see a host of new talent join its cast, including Grey’s Anatomy star Sara Ramirez and Homeland’s Sarita Choudhury.
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters in the Sex and the City revival.
Sex and the City: And Just Like That cast
Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis are all reprising their roles from Sex and the City.
The series will follow protagonist Carrie Bradshaw (Parker), a sex columnist, and her female friends: the conservative Charlotte York (Davis), and sharp-witted lawyer Miranda Hobbes (Nixon),
It’s also been confirmed that Mario Cantone (Anthony), Willie Garson (Stanford), David Eigenberg (Steve) and Evan Handler (Harry) are all starring in the upcoming revival of Darren Star’s classic series.
John, aka. Mr Big himself – played Chris Noth – will also star in the series, executive producer Michael Patrick King recently confirmed.
As for brand new additions, Sex and the City will feature its very first non-binary character, played by Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramírez.
Sarah Jessica Parker plays Carrie Bradshaw
!["Sarah]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/sarah-jessica-parker_4-c786801.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"sarah-jessica-parker_4\"")
Who is Carrie Bradshaw? Our protagonist, published author and New York’s resident sex columnist, our style-conscious heroine Carrie is (last time we checked in with her) now hitched to the wealthy Mr Big (real name John) following a tumultuous dating life almost as varied as her extensive walk-in wardrobe.
Where have I seen Sarah Jessica Parker before? She’s best known for her award-winning stint as Carrie Bradshaw, but you might also recognise her from the likes of The Family Stone, Hocus Pocus, Glee, Divorce, and The First Wives Club.
Cynthia Nixon plays Miranda Hobbes
!["Cynthia]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/cynthia-nixon_1-e83e3ec.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"cynthia-nixon_1\"")
Who is Miranda Hobbes? A quick-witted lawyer now married to Steve, the father of her child. She’s long been the “sensible” one of the central friendship group, preferring to make choices based on logic rather than the heart (with the exception being her decision to forgive Steve his infidelity and meet him on Brooklyn Bridge in the Sex and the City film).
Where have I seen Cynthia Nixon before? An activist as well as an actress, she previously launched a high-profile campaign for the role of Governor of New York. Other projects she’s starred in have included A Quiet Passion, Amadeus, The Women, and more recently Ratched.
Kristin Davis plays Charlotte York
!["Kristin]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/kristin-davis-f58d888.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"kristin-davis\"")
Who is Charlotte York? Gallerist and mother-of-two Charlotte is blue-blooded and conservative, preferring a string of pearls over a personalised gold necklace (à la Carrie). But she’s also probably the character who grew and changed the most over the course of the original series, setting aside her aspirations for a picture-perfect, fairytale romance and family when she fell in love with divorce lawyer Harry, for whom she converted to Judaism.
Where have I seen Kristin Davis before? Davis is best known for her role as Charlotte York, but she’s also appeared in the likes of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Bad Teacher, and Deck the Halls. And for those who’ve been rewatching classic sitcoms over lockdown, you’ll spot her in cameo roles on the likes of Friends, Seinfeld, and Will & Grace.
Chris Noth plays Mr Big/ John Preston
!["Chris]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/02/Chris-Noth-d70c645.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400" "\"Chris-Noth\"")
Who is Mr Big/ John Preston? Carrie’s on/off romantic interest throughout the original Sex and the City series, he’s introduced as a “major tycoon, major dreamboat, and majorly out of [Carrie’s] league,” hence his moniker. In the series, his real name wasn’t revealed until the final episode. Following the two film versions, he’s now Carrie’s husband.
While it was originally reported that Mr Big would not be returning, it’s now been confirmed that the tycoon will make an appearance. As executive producer Michael Patrick King put it: “How could we ever do a new chapter of the Sex and the City story without our Mr Big?”
Where have I seen Chris Noth before? Doctor Who fans will remember that he recently played the antagonist Robertson in the 2021 New Year’s special Revolution of the Daleks (reprising his role from the 2018 episode Arachnids in the UK). He’s also starred in Gone, The Equaliser, Manhunt: Unabomber, Law & Order, Catastrophe, and The Good Wife.
Evan Handler plays Harry Goldenblatt
!["Evan]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/02/Evan-Handler-bc51c16.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400" "\"Evan-Handler\"")
Who is Harry Goldenblatt? The divorce lawyer who Charlotte hired following the end of her first marriage, and who would later become her second husband and father to their two children.
Where have I seen Evan Handler before? In addition to his role in the Sex and the City franchise, he’s also starred in the likes of Ransom, Californication, American Crime Story, Power, The Breaks, and The Good Fight.
David Eigenberg plays Steve Brady
!["David]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/02/Steve-Brady-f4e6510.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400" "\"David")
Who is Steve Brady? A bartender who becomes Miranda’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, by whom she becomes pregnant with their son. A single mother for a time, she later reunites with Steve and marries him. They had a rough patch when Steve cheated on her, but they later reconciled.
Where have I seen David Eigenberg before? Alongside his role as Steve, David Eigenberg is probably best known for his long-running role as firefighter Christopher Herrmann, whom he’s played in Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Fire.
Nicole Ari Parker plays Lisa Todd Wexley
!["Nicole]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/06/And-Just-Like-That-046117c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400" "\"And-Just-Like-That")
Who is Lisa Todd Wexley? A brand new character, Lisa is a “Park Avenue mother of three and documentarian,” according to TV Line.
Where have I seen Nicole Ari Parker before? She’s known for playing Giselle on Empire, and has otherwise starred in the likes of Soul Food, Younger, Blue Streak, and Boogie Nights.
Sarita Choudhury plays Seema Patel
!["Sarita]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/sarita-choudhury-c889902.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"sarita-choudhury\"")
Who is Seema Patel? A new addition to the Sex and the City universe, Seema is a Manhattan real estate broker. Could there be a connection to property magnate Mr Big?
Where have I seen Sarita Choudhury before? She will play Mother in the upcoming film The Green Knight, and is known for roles in Homeland, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, and Blindspot.
Karen Pittman plays Dr Nya Wallace
!["Karen]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/06/Karen-Pittman-16d88df.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400" "\"Karen-Pittman\"")
Who is Dr. Nya Wallace? A Columbia Law professor, and brand new character.
Where have I seen Karen Pittman before? Pittman played Mia on the recent Apple TV hit The Morning Show, and has starred in Marvel’s Luke Cage, Yellowstone, Homeland, and Evil, among other projects.
Willie Garson plays Stanford Blatch
!["Willie]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/willie-garson-0df0d17.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"willie-garson\"")
Who is Stanford Blatch? Stanford is Carrie’s longtime best friend, who is married to Charlotte’s friend Anthony Marentino.
Where have I seen Willie Garson before? Garson has appeared in Sex and the City and its two film spin-offs as well as White Collar, Little Manhattan, Hawaii Five-0 and Stargate SG-1. He died in September at the age of 57, and appears in And Just Like That posthumously.
Mario Cantone plays Anthony Marentino
!["Mario]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/gettyimages-1345437620-594x594-9cf36d5.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"mario-cantone\"")
Who is Anthony Marentino? Anthony is Charlotte’s wedding planner best friend.
Where have I seen Mario Cantone before? He is best known for playing Anthony in Sex and the City and its two film spin-offs as well as Chappelle’s Show, All My Life, Men in Trees and AJ and the Queen.
Sara Ramirez plays Che Diaz
!["Sara]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/sara-ramirez-7407903.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"sara-ramirez\"")
Who is Che Diaz? Che Diaz is a non-binary, queer comedian who hosts a podcast on which Carrie regularly appears.
Where have I seen Sara Ramirez before? Ramirez is best known for playing Calliope Torres on Grey’s Anatomy, Kat Sandoval on Madam Secretary and their roles in Sofia the First, NYPD Blue and You’ve Got Mail.
Cathy Ang plays Lily Goldenblatt
!["Cathy]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/cathy-ang-557fa61.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"cathy-ang\"")
Who is Lily Goldenblatt? Lily is the eldest daughter of Charlotte and Harry, who they adopted at the end of the last series.
Where have I seen Cathy Ang before? Ang has appeared in Netflix’s Over the Moon, Ramy and is due to star in upcoming film My Best Friend’s Exorcism.
Alexa Swinton plays Rose Goldenblatt
!["Alexa]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/alexa-swinton-1-bb86800.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"alexa-swinton-1\"")
Who is Rose Goldenblatt? Rose is the youngest daughter of Charlotte and Harry.
Where have I seen Alexa Swinton before? Swinton is best known for appearing in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, Billions, Emergence and Sometime Other Than Now.
Niall Cunningham plays Brady Hobbes
!["Niall]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/gettyimages-1155329371-594x594-5cce796.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"niall-cunningham\"")
Who is Brady Hobbes? Brady is the teenage son of Miranda and Steve.
Where have I seen Niall Cunningham before? Cunningham is best known for playing Tyler Hughes on sitcom Life in Pieces and for appearing in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Awkward and Okja.
Cree Cicchino plays Luisa Torres
!["Cree]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/gettyimages-1167316869-594x594-ec2fa4d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"cree-cicchino\"")
Who is Luisa Torres? Luisa is the girlfriend of Miranda’s son Brady.
Where have I seen Cree Cicchino before? Cicchino has appeared in Mr. Iglesias, the Sleepover, Me, Myself & I and Game Shakers.
Isaac Powell plays George
!["Isaac]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/gettyimages-885174236-594x594-121b9a5.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"isaac-powell\"")
Who is George? George is a student at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology who is unconstrained by gender norms.
Where have I seen Isaac Powell before? Powell has appeared in Dear Evan Hansen, Modern Love, American Horror Story: Double Feature and upcoming film Cat Person.
Brenda Vaccaro plays Gloria Marquette
!["Brenda]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/GettyImages-1357840215-a87a682.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Brenda-Vaccaro\"")
Who is Gloria Marquette? Gloria is Mr. Big’s longtime secretary.
Where have I seen Brenda Vaccaro before? Vaccaro has appeared in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Once Is Not Enough, The Smurfs, The Golden Girls, Friends and You Don’t Know Jack.
Ivan Hernandez plays Franklyn
!["Ivan]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/07/GettyImages-508104320-e31e03d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"ivan-hernandez\"")
Who is Franklyn? Franklyn is a sound engineer who works on Che Diaz’s podcast.
Where have I seen Ivan Hernandez before? Hernandez has appeared in Devious Maids, The Good Wife, NCIS, Gossip Girl and Criminal Minds.
Why isn’t Samantha in Sex and the City: And Just Like That?
!["Samantha]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/01/Samantha-Sex-and-the-City-b43f8aa.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Samantha")
Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, will not be returning to complete the Sex and the City quartet, and will be missing from the And Just Like That line-up.
The series also won’t include Smith Jerrod, Samantha’s love interest played by Jason Smith.
“Samantha isn’t part of this story. But she will always be part of us. No matter where we are or what we do,” Sarah Jessica Parker said on Instagram, responding to a fan’s query about Samantha’s absence.
In a 2017 interview with Piers Morgan, Kim Cattrall said she wouldn’t return to the role of Samantha, and that she hoped “another actress [would]… play it”.
“I played it past the finish line and then some and I loved it and another actress should play it,” she said. “Maybe they could make it an African-American Samantha Jones or a Hispanic Samantha Jones, or bring in another character.”
Cattrall also had a long-standing public feud with co-star Parker, and previously told her former co-star via Instagram that she was “cruel,” adding: “You are not my family. You are not my friend.”
Cattrall told Morgan: “This is really where I take to task the people from Sex and the City and specifically Sarah Jessica Parker, is that I think she could have been nicer. I really think she could have been nicer. I don’t know what her issue is.
“The thing that still bothers me is this feeling of being in some way made to be the baddie. I never asked for any money, I never asked for any projects, to be thought of as some kind of diva is absolutely ridiculous.”
If you need a reminder of where SATC left off, here is our Sex and the City recap.
Check out how to watch Sex and the City with our handy guide. Looking for something else to watch? Visit our TV Guide.