HBO Max have confirmed the production of a ten-episode extension of the original Sex and the City series titled, Sex and the City: And Just Like That. Sarah Jessica Parker, who portrays the female protagonist Carrie Bradshaw, teased her followers with proof that the Sex and the City franchise was heading into an extended narrative, and yet, “I couldn’t help but wonder,” who is going to replace Samantha?
Kim Cattrall, who plays Samantha Jones, has not been silent in the press in recent years as to her disdain for Sarah Jessica Parker and the perspective that the show’s story had come to an end. After the lack of cultural sensitivity and full depiction of white privilege in the second SATC film, thankfully Cattrall herself put the brakes on another sequel; the actress felt her portrayal of Samantha had come to an end and wanted to look to new ventures. When discussing reprising her role as Samantha in an interview with Piers Morgan, Cattrall said it is “not for me. That was part of turning 60. That was a very clear moment of how many years do I have left and what do I want to do with it? What haven’t I done? I feel that the show was the best when it was the series and the bonus was the two movies.”
Throughout the series, Samantha Jones was an icon and her opinions on sex, marriage, and her career still feel very current. She was arguably the most forthright character, paving the way for women to speak frankly about their sexual encounters and rights. Whilst the lines were delivered with a witty quip, their sentiment prevails: “I don’t really believe in marriage; now Botox on the other hand, that works every time” and “I’m a try-sexual, I’ll try anything once” revealing herself as an ever-present figure in the discovery-of-self narrative. Whilst the other three women aided the storylines of sex, power and relationships, it is Samantha Jones who is heralded as the most controversial and ground-breaking. The question will be, whether the series will acquire a replacement for the fourth figurehead and fulfil the need for transgressive statements and humour, and whether this will satisfy its committed audience.
Source: BBC
Another thing to point out is whether today’s audience will still be appeased by the exotic fashions, the white-cis men as the show’s dalliances, the lack of cultural diversity, and the stereotypical portrayal of homosexuality. In the time of its release, where “wokeness” levels were arguably lesser, the narrative and mise-en-scène were thrilling and unquestionable. Will this reboot alter its original depiction to become culturally sensitive to today’s world, disconnecting it from its previous portrayal of New York City and of women? If there is a mighty deviation from the original series, can HBO Max really plug this as an extension?
Will the show rectify their previous ignorant traits? Now, don’t get me wrong – I love the show. It is high-fashion fantasy, alluding to a city that is affordable and constantly chic. This is kind of escapism that I can truly fall for. It depicts an era of television, as well as of society and culture, where the conversations around female sex and power were still hushed. The four women would speak candidly to each other about their sexual experiences; climbing to the top of the career ladder; challenging feminine tropes such as marriage. It was iconic at the time, and still feels extremely watchable for me now, as a dedicated fan. Whether the series can mesh as an extension of the original series and films is something to be discovered.
Words by Bailey Petts
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