Caution: Spoilers for And Just Like That ahead!
The Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, explained Kim Cattrall’s absence by way of a fallout between Samantha and Carrie Bradshaw, but the series is setting up an unlikely reunion between the two characters. Though it’s clear that Cattrall, who played Samantha Jones in the original series, has no interest in returning to the reboot, her character has been present in many episodes via notes and text messages. Her communication with Carrie has gotten more frequent over the most recent episodes, even after Carrie explained in the show’s premiere that they fell out after Carrie dropped Samantha as her book publicist.
However, in And Just Like That episode 7, "Sex and the Widow," Carrie (in order to cope with Big's shocking death) has penned a new memoir about grief that her publisher is sure will be a huge bestseller. It seems like And Just Like That is setting up Carrie returning to writing — and, if Carrie relaunches her book career, perhaps that would give her the perfect excuse to reach out to Samantha once again.
Though Kim Cattrall is not interested in appearing on And Just Like That, it’s possible the launch of Carrie’s new book may lead her to ask Samantha to come back on as her publicist and see the two estranged friends reunited. Even if only virtually, this reunion could solve one of the reboot’s biggest Samantha problems. Additionally, due to recent news involving cut scenes in the show’s finale, viewers already know that Carrie will end up in Paris by the season finale, giving her the perfect excuse to try and see Samantha (as Samantha's currently in London).
Despite Cattrall’s absence, And Just Like That has not dropped Samantha as a character, and seems to be building to a reconciliation between Samantha and Carrie. In a recent episode, Carrie and Samantha even reminisced via text over old times they spent together. Even if Cattrall wouldn’t appear in the show (partly due to her feud with Sarah Jessica Parker, and in part due to Cattrall's past criticisms of the Sex and the City 3 plans), it’s possible (however, unlikely) that perhaps the end of the season could see Carrie and Samantha reaching some sort of détente over the phone, with the olive branch coming in the form of Carrie’s new book deal and need for a publicist.
Additionally, after news broke of Chris Noth’s final scenes in the show being edited out due to recent allegations that have come to light, viewers learned that Carrie will end up in Paris in the show’s finale. Perhaps, as Carrie leaves parts of her old life behind, she’ll want to enter a new chapter with Samantha, and being so close to London, may try to go and see her (if unsuccessfully). Carrie and Samantha reaching some sort of reconciliation, even if not in person, would be a great way to end the first season of the sequel series.
And Just Like That, which fell short of replacing Samantha with the right cast member, has consistently been trying to find ways to cleverly keep Samantha’s storyline alive. And, from the beginning, the show has established that Samantha and Carrie’s falling out started because of their business together, and the decline of Carrie’s book sales. In many ways, And Just Like That setting up Carrie’s book launch to resurrect her writing career seems too deliberate to ignore; however, a reunion could still be unlikely, and the series will have a huge hurdle to clear regardless due to Cattrall’s refusal to appear in the reboot.
And Just Like That is now streaming on HBO Max.