And Just Like That…‘s Sarah Jessica Parker has shared what it was like to film and work on the show in the wake of Carrie Bradshaw’s biggest tragedy: the death of her husband, Mr. Big (Chris Noth). When it was announced that Max was planning a revival of Sex and the City, many questioned what would become of Carrie and Big’s relationship. Throughout six seasons and two movies, the pair practically defined the “will-they-won’t-they” relationship trope, as they found their way back to each other time and again despite infidelity, numerous break-ups, and other marriages.
Though the couple had finally found firm footing in And Just Like That‘s pilot episode, the revival had other plans for Carrie and Big. After sharing a sweet moment in their apartment, Big suffers from a heart attack, and Carrie is too late to save him. The scene where she finds her husband is an emotional watch, so it’s no surprise that Parker found it difficult to work through such a major change. In an interview with E! News, the star revealed that accepting that storyline was “really, really hard to do,” and that she felt “untethered.”
“Big dying was really, really hard to do both professionally and personally. That’s not just a thread. It’s one of the main arteries that you would struggle to do without. It was really sad to say goodbye to that. It’s not like I needed it for my own health or wellbeing, but that was a hugely wonderful story to tell for a lot of years.”
How Big’s Death Affected The Sex And The City Revival
Carrie Enters A New Era Of Her Life In And Just Like That
So much of Carrie’s identity was wrapped up in John “Mr. Big” Preston. He defined her life in Sex and the City, even while she was with (and sometimes even engaged to) other men. While this led to an at-times toxic relationship, it also meant that they grew alongside one another. Big certainly wasn’t the only problematic person in that relationship, but in the end, their marriage proved that they needed each other. They were happy, at least for a time.
If Big hadn’t died, the show would probably have fallen back into old habits, having them circling one another without a true resolution.
While Parker’s sadness over Big’s death is entirely understandable, considering how much of an impact those two characters had on each other, that bold storytelling choice has allowed Carrie to discover who she is without him. For better or worse, he consumed her. What could her life look like without his overshadowing presence? What kind of relationships could she have? If Big hadn’t died, the show would probably have fallen back into old habits, having them circling one another without a true resolution.
Our Take On Carrie Bradshaw’s New Life In And Just Like That
Has Carrie Truly Moved On From Big’s Death?
The question is, has Carrie truly moved on with her life? There’s plenty to say about how And Just Like That has handled stepping back into these characters’ lives, but Big’s death fundamentally changed who Carrie is. So why, you might wonder, has she gone back to someone who is so intricately tied into her and Big’s relationship? Her second-chance romance with Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) is, to some degree, a way to hold on to a time when Big was still part of her life. He was practically an active participant in her and Aidan’s relationship.
Related
This One Sex And The City Episode Proves Aidan Is Way More Toxic Than Mr. Big
The Aidan vs. Mr. Big debate is one of the biggest on Sex and the City, but this single episode might be the proof that Aidan is the more toxic one.
Carrie and Aidan’s decision to put their romance on hold for five years while Aidan’s children grow up offers another way for the story to push Carrie in a fresh, exciting direction (possibly with someone new). They may not manage to stay away from each other for the duration of And Just Like That season 3, though, as this franchise loves to rekindle a well-worn romance. Big’s death was a brave, bold choice, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s emotional reaction proves it. I’m just not sure And Just Like That… has made the most of it.
Source: E! News
And Just Like That season 3 airs weekly, each Thursday on HBO Max.
And Just Like That…
5/10
- Release Date
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December 9, 2021
- Network
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HBO Max, Max
- Showrunner
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Michael Patrick King
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Sarah Jessica Parker
Carrie Bradshaw
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Cynthia Nixon
Miranda Hobbes
