HBO knew it could count on the millions of Sex and the City fans to tune in for a reboot of the series, And Just Like That, a series that features Carrie and the girls (minus Samantha) in their 50s and dealing with the later-in-life issues that come up for women as they age.
Fans' reactions have been mixed, with some finding the writing unrealistic and others saying the show's new, 21st-century vibe is a better look than the less-than-woke original series.
In the original show, Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon, is a successful attorney to whom fans became attached because of her cynical opinions on dating and relationships and the loyalty she shows to her friends.
The reboot sees Miranda facing some difficult things in her life and her marriage to Steve and questioning whether the life she has built is really the one she wants.
Cynthia Nixon certainly didn't have to return for the reboot; she ran an admirable gubernatorial campaign in New York in 2018, and though she didn't win, she showed promise as a compelling and charismatic leader and politician. She also had other TV and film projects, like her role as Gwendolyn Briggs on Ryan Murphy's Ratched.
So why did she come back? And what's with all the rumors that she was difficult to work with on set? Here's what fans need to know about Cynthia Nixon onset of And Just Like That.
An 'SATC' Costume Designer Claimed Cynthia Nixon Was Difficult On Set
The rumors originated with a Sex and the City costume designer, Patricia Field, who claimed Cynthia Nixon was difficult to work with during the original series.
On why she didn't return for the reboot, Field said, "I know those gals! Sarah Jessica [Parker] thinks she knows everything – and she does. Cynthia Nixon thinks she knows everything – and she doesn't." Rough!
She continues, mentioning her conversations with one of the And Just Like That costume designers: "Even today, when I speak with Molly [Rogers], it's about Cynthia. I say, 'I remember what you are going through'."
Cynthia Nixon Was Unsure About Returning To The Series At All
Cynthia Nixon said that returning to the show for the reboot was a tough decision and it wasn't an automatic yes for her.
Ultimately, she said she would do it, but she had some very specific conditions. "It was a very hard decision. I really didn't think I was going to do it – I was very reluctant," she said.
"But the more I talked to Sarah Jessica, [writer-creator] Michael Patrick King, and Kristin [Davis], about the things that I couldn't go back without – a real sea change in terms of the lack of diversity in the original series, they were on board.”
She Found The Process Very Collaborative And Supportive
As she told the Herald Sun, Cynthia Nixon was pleased with how production went and how supportive the team was throughout filming.
"I was floored by how hard everybody listened, and how collaboratively we worked together to, not just redecorate the house, but to build a whole new house – that had us in it but new characters, too."
She continued, "I'm very proud of the original series – despite it being occasionally tone deaf on race and gender – and being Miranda has opened up so many amazing roles for me over the years, but the further I get away from Miranda, the better they get, because people have stopped thinking of me as just that one character. But Sex and the City gave me an adult career. And I’ll always be grateful for that."
These don't seem like the words of someone who was difficult to work with on set, so where could those rumors be coming from?
'And Just Like That' Costume Designers Have Defended Cynthia
Molly Rogers, whom SATC costume designer Patricia Field said she spoke to about Cynthia Nixon's allegedly difficult behavior, wanted to correct the record. She and her fellow costume designer Danny Santiago had positive things to say.
"A lot of really seasoned actors and actresses have been in the business for so long they have a shorthand…to say, 'Oh, that’s not going to work,' because you've just been in enough fittings to know."
Danny Santiago said: "For us, everybody was so excited about being back that it was like the best possible high school reunion. Everybody was just ready to get at it."
Molly and Danny both stated that the actresses have been gracious and supportive during filming and they don't have any complaints, which seems to indicate Patricia Field's statements may have been more of a personal grievance, or simply a momentary venting.
So fans can feel good enjoying And Just Like That knowing Cynthia Nixon and all the rest of the cast aren't terrible people in real life!
