Sarah Jessica Parker is preparing for the return of Carrie Bradshaw in Season 3 of And Just Like That, while addressing the long-standing debate surrounding her character’s choices and contradictions. Appearing on Today With Jenna & Friends on April 21, Parker spoke about playing Carrie for nearly three decades and why she continues to embrace the character’s flaws.
“It’s been such a sort of extraordinary experience,” Parker said. “I try to describe it as being contractually obligated to play somebody else — be somebody else — for about 27 years, to behave in ways which would be illegal if I, as a married person with children, ways in which I would behave in the city or with men.”
Over the years, Carrie Bradshaw has attracted both strong support and frequent criticism. Her decisions—romantic, financial, and otherwise—have divided viewers since the original Sex and the City aired on HBO. Parker acknowledged the mixed reactions but credited showrunner Michael Patrick King and his writing team with crafting a character who still provokes discussion. “I have such implicit trust and faith in Michael Patrick and his extraordinary writing staff that, though decisions sometimes I recognize might be controversial or give people grief or have people have very big feelings, it’s incredibly fun to do. So I really love it.”
Season 3 of And Just Like That is scheduled to premiere May 29 on Max. The new season arrives nearly two years after the second season ended in August 2023. Production delays tied to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes pushed the release window into 2025.
While Parker avoided giving specific plot details, she described the upcoming season as a significant undertaking. “It was a hugely enjoyable shoot,” she said. “It was seven long months, basically no days off, but there was something incredibly… we all like being with each other.” She added that the new episodes explore adult themes related to love, identity, and personal space. “It’s a lot about love and sorting your place out in the world and deciding that home is not defined,” she said. “It’s told with frivolity and seriousness and beautiful costumes in the city we love, and great actors.”
Season 3 will feature returning cast members and new additions. John Corbett is confirmed to appear again as Aidan Shaw. However, two characters will not return. Sara Ramírez, who played stand-up comic Che Diaz, exits the series following the end of Che’s relationship with Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). Karen Pittman, who portrayed Professor Nya Wallace, is also not returning due to scheduling conflicts.
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New faces joining the series include Rosie O’Donnell, who plays a character named Mary, along with Mehcad Brooks (Law & Order), Jonathan Cake (Desperate Housewives), and Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus) in recurring roles. Sebastiano Pigazzi and Dolly Wells have been promoted to series regulars.
Parker’s relationship with the character of Carrie remains layered. Though some viewers continue to dissect Carrie’s behavior, Parker pointed to the character’s consistency across decades. Her remarks suggest that part of the appeal lies in Carrie’s imperfections. In Parker’s view, it’s not about redemption or course correction, but rather the ongoing process of examining how a character’s choices reflect different stages of life.
And Just Like That continues the storylines introduced in Sex and the City, adapting them to a later stage of life for its central characters. While the franchise has evolved, Parker’s approach to Carrie remains grounded in trust for the creative team and a willingness to embrace the reactions the character continues to spark.
