The ongoing saga of Sex and the City continues with And Just Like That, a revival that began in 2021 and is now moving toward a second season. Even though Kim Cattrall’s Samantha isn’t present in the premiere, the beloved character is being referenced as the show advances, signaling a possible return or at least a meaningful throughline for fans to follow. The show’s creators have kept the door ajar, leaving audiences with questions about how Samantha might reappear, whether onscreen or through indirect nods, and who would embody her if a return occurred. This sense of uncertainty has sparked lively speculation among viewers who have long loved Samantha’s sharp humor, fearless independence, and the electric chemistry she shared with Carrie and the rest of the group.
During the first season, Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, stays connected with Samantha through modern modes of communication, including text messages that bridge years of friendship. In discussions with Variety, the series’ mastermind Michael Patrick King touched on the possibility of continuing that dynamic in season two. He confirmed that the writers are considering how to navigate the Carrie-Samantha bond without promising a definitive on-screen reunion or clarifying which actor would take Samantha’s place, if any. The ambiguity itself has become a talking point, underscoring how much fans crave the return of the character and how generous the writers can be with reinterpretation while honoring the original chemistry that anchored the show.
King offered a playful look at where the finale might have taken the two longtime friends. The conversations between Carrie and Samantha, whether they involved champagne-fueled revelry, a tangle of conflict, or a revelation about love and friendship, were imagined differently by the writing team. The sense of a great night lingers even now, with some colleagues envisioning a mood of healing and renewal as the women navigate old flames, new loves, and the evolving meaning of friendship. The idea that a night shared could carry significance beyond a single moment reflects the series’ core interest: how a strong, complicated bond can outlast distance, time, and the changes life brings. The return of a familiar voice, whether in direct dialogue or in memory and reference, remains a tantalizing prospect for viewers who have watched these characters grow, evolve, and confront the kinds of decisions that test even the strongest ties.
Behind the scenes, tensions from the past have influenced decisions about Samantha’s presence. Public discussions surrounding Kim Cattrall’s absence from And Just Like That have shaped fans’ expectations about future appearances. Carrie’s portrayer, Sarah Jessica Parker, has spoken candidly about the complexity of those industry conversations and the impact they had on the show’s development. The actress highlighted the difficulty of revisiting old disagreements while emphasizing that the show’s future would be guided by what felt right for the ensemble and the story. In reflecting on the distance that grew between the actors, Parker noted that at certain moments, the comfort simply wasn’t there to pursue a collaboration, and the decision not to bring Samantha back at that time was a result of those dynamics rather than a lack of affection for the character. The current landscape of the series continues to invite dialogue about legacy, memory, and what it takes to honor beloved characters while pursuing fresh storytelling that resonates with today’s audience.