Fans of Sex and the City who have returned for And Just Like That are already acquainted with its large ensemble of characters. Some are familiar faces that fans know from the original show, while others are new figures meant to add some much-needed diversity to this otherwise homogenous group of characters.
Nearly every character is entertaining and contributes something to the plot, but not all are equally smart. In fact, while some of these figures are highly intelligent and excel in their respective careers, others are less intelligent when dealing with their lives.
Steve Brady
Poor Steve is getting the short end of the writing stick. He has played a mostly supporting role thus far, acting like the clueless and practically detached husband who's too oblivious to realize his wife has a very obvious drinking problem, is unhappy, and is cheating on him.
Steve and Miranda were a fan-favorite couple in Sex and the City, and fans are unhappy with their storyline in the revival, mainly because Steve seems either too dumb or too uninterested in his wife to realize what's happening to their once happy marriage.
Carrie Bradshaw
Fans may have several problems with Carrie Bradshaw, but the ultimate single gal remains as compelling as ever. As the show's central figure, Carrie is front and center in every episode. Unlike the people in her life, Carrie hasn't changed much in the last ten years, but that's consistent with her characterization.
Indeed, Carrie is still somewhat vapid and very materialistic. She also lacks common sense and makes some very questionable choices, like trying to lift Big instead of calling an ambulance or peeing into a Snapple bottle instead of screaming for help. Yes, Carrie will never change, and fans aren't sure they want her to.
Charlotte York-Goldenblatt
Charlotte is back in And Just Like That, and unlike Carrie, she has actually done some growing up. Now in the role she always wanted to have, that of the perfect wife and mother, Charlotte is going out of her way to be the best version of herself possible.
Charlotte still has some of her judgemental attitudes, but she's more open-minded than she used to be. She's also showing a willingness to learn more of the things she doesn't understand, actively listening to other people and proving herself capable of changing. Charlotte might still be somewhat blind to her privilege, but she would never say another line as cringe-worthy as "We're WASPs. WASPs don't yell. It's genetic."
Anthony Marentino
Once the most one-dimensional character in the show, Anthony's characterization is becoming more layered thanks to And Just Like That. With the show writing Stanford off rather unceremoniously, Anthony is receiving more attention, with storylines that explore his role as a recently-separated gay man struggling with his age.
Anthony always was very ambitious and capable, but the show is taking the time to show his many talents. He opened a successful bakery during the pandemic, which he runs by himself. He remains as insightful as ever, providing support and advice to both Charlotte and Carrie, with the bonus of being a more prominent and well-rounded figure in their lives.
Seema Patel
Seema is Carrie's new friend and arguably the most likable character in And Just Like That. She's a successful realtor who helps Carrie open herself to new experiences and possibilities.
Much of the focus on Seema's character has gone to her romantic life because this is a Sex and the City show, after all. However, the series has also taken its time to portray her as a clever, insightful, emotionally intelligent woman with enough maturity to deal with life's blows. Seema is one of the show's most intriguing characters, and hopefully, fans will get to see more of her in future episodes.
Harry Goldenblatt
Sex and the City introduced Harry Goldenblatt as the successful, fearsome lawyer who helped Charlotte win her fight against Bonnie MacDougal. Harry was a consummate and respected professional at the top of his field, and the revival makes it clear not much has changed in the last ten years.
Harry is still a pro and remains a committed father and husband. He has a harder time than Charlotte dealing with his youngest daughter's struggles with sexuality, but he's still the show's best parental figure by far. Harry and Charlotte were arguably the best Sex and the City couple, and luckily that hasn't changed either.
Lily Goldenblatt
And speaking of the Goldenblatt family, Lily is perhaps the show's biggest and most pleasant surprise. Charlotte and Harry's oldest daughter is a piano prodigy and a surprisingly mature teenager, especially considering she's supposed to be about sixteen.
Lily shows tremendous emotional intelligence when dealing with her parents' slightly outdated views. She's also a model student who excels in different areas. The show doesn't spend too much time on her, but it's still abundantly clear that she's on her way to achieving great things.
Lisa Todd Wexley
Lisa Todd Wexley is Charlotte's best friend outside the girls. She's a successful documentarian who's the "queen bee" of the moms at Lily and Rose's school, so, of course, Charlotte goes out of her way to befriend her.
While she doesn't get as much screen time as the other new characters, Lisa still displays remarkable wit in her interactions with Charlotte. She is celebrated in her line of work and represents the working woman who also excels at home, a trope that Sex and the City shied away from during the series original run.
Miranda Hobbes
Throughout the original show, Miranda Hobbes was arguably the most intelligent character. She was determined, cynical, and goal-oriented, a consummate professional who always put her career first. In the second movie, she's the only one who bothers to research the UAE's traditions and rules, unlike her other friends who treat the country's culture with thinly-veiled contempt.
And Just Like That sees Miranda just as capable but slightly less confident. She's nervous to go back to school and ends up embarrassing herself in front of her class. Miranda also seems confused about her life, and the show hints she's suffering from a mid-life crisis that leads her to make some rather questionable choices. However, she's still one of the brightest characters in the show, and her accomplishments speak for themselves.
Dr. Nya Wallace
Dr. Nya Wallace is arguably the best character introduced in And Just Like That. She's Miranda's college professor, an assertive and capable woman who also happens to be a doctorate law teacher at Columbia University. Miranda is so in awe of her that she fumbles their first meeting by being embarrassingly politically correct.
Nya is considerably younger than the other characters and is about the same age the girls were during Sex and the City's first season. However, she seems at the top of her professional career even if she's still finding balance in her personal life. Nya is a mature and intelligent woman with a storyline that makes her one of the show's most compelling figures, and fans can't wait to see more of her.