Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in the iconic “Sex and the City” franchise, has finally addressed the polarizing reception of the series reboot, “And Just Like That.” The show, which recently concluded its third and final season, has faced mixed reviews, with many viewers turning to hate-watch the episodes. However, Parker remains unbothered by the criticism, pointing to the show’s commercial success and impact on audiences.
“I Don’t Care,” Sarah Jessica Parker Stands Behind Success
Speaking with The New York Times, Parker shared her perspective on the backlash surrounding the reboot, stating, “I don’t think I have the constitution to have spent a lot of time thinking about that. We always worked incredibly hard to tell stories that were interesting or real. I guess I don’t really care. And the reason I don’t care is because it has been so enormously successful, and the connections it has made with audiences have been very meaningful.”
Despite facing ambivalent critical responses and the phenomenon of hate-watching, “And Just Like That” managed to achieve remarkable success. The first season became HBO Max’s most-watched series debut, solidifying its standing in the streaming landscape. Yet, dwindling viewership in subsequent seasons and critiques about outdated themes didn’t deter Parker from reflecting positively on the show’s legacy.
The Evolution of Carrie Bradshaw
“Sex and the City,” which first premiered in 1998, broke new ground as a cultural phenomenon. Created by Darren Starr, the series followed the lives of four New York City women—Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw, Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones, Kristin Davis’ Charlotte York, and Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda Hobbes. The original show ran for six successful seasons, earned over 50 Primetime Emmy nominations, spawned two feature films, and a CW prequel series.
Almost three decades since its debut, “And Just Like That” reunited much of the original cast (sans Kim Cattrall, save for a brief cameo) in 2023 to continue exploring what friendships, careers, and romance look like in mid-life. However, critical reception focused on its attempt to modernize the series, with many claiming its updates felt hollow. Still, fans of the franchise remained invested, even if some tuned in for the cringe-worthy moments.
A Controversial Finale
On August 14, 2025, the series wrapped with its finale, “Party of One,” which left audiences divided. Carrie’s journey ended not with a romantic reunion, but with her embracing independence. The decision to send Carrie off as a “single and independent woman” received mixed reactions, with some fans finding the conclusion unsatisfying.
Nonetheless, Parker defended the ending in her interview with The Times. “I feel good about her. I think she’s set up pretty well,” Parker explained. In response to detractors, she added, “When you’re part of a community, people are going to have a lot of feelings. And it doesn’t mean that a feeling can’t change, it’s a reaction. We want very much for people to have all those feelings, and it’s not for us to police or try to correct them.”
Where to Watch
Fans can relive every moment of “Sex and the City” and “And Just Like That” as all episodes are available for streaming on HBO Max.