Chris Noth, who plays Mr. Big on Sex and the City, has reflected on his initial annoyance at the show’s success. Having made his acting debut in 1981 with an uncredited role in the Jeff Bridges neo-noir Cutter’s Way, Noth is no stranger to playing significant roles in popular series. He’s portrayed Detective Mike Logan in the Law & Order franchise, recurred heavily as Peter Florrick on The Good Wife, and had a two-episode Doctor Who stint as the narcissistic Jack Robertson.
But, for many, the character Noth is most known for is Mr. Big: the on-again, off-again boyfriend of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. The two characters had a memorably turbulent relationship, splitting up and getting back together over the course of the HBO series and then continuing on for the two Sex and the City spinoff films. Noth is one of the many familiar faces involved in the upcoming HBO Max reboot, titled And Just Like That… As well as confirming that Big and Carrie are still together in the upcoming series, some photos have also teased the return of Bridget Moynahan as Natasha, Big’s ex-wife.
In an interview with The Guardian, Noth looked back on the success of Sex and the City and admitted he was initially annoyed by just how popular the HBO comedy was. In particular, Noth says that he didn’t like being referred to by his character’s name while going about his daily life. Over time, however, Noth says he’s learned to stop resisting his connection to Mr. Big and notes that it’s “really lovely” to be part of the series’ New York City. Noth’s quote is included below.
“Initially, when the show became a cultural phenomenon, I was really annoyed by it, because I don’t like to be called a character’s name on the street and actors don’t like [characters] sticking to them. But eventually I thought: ‘Just stop resisting this because it’s not going away. People, for some reason, will always relate you to that part, so just let what you resist persist.’ And if I can be a small part of what people think of as New York City, that’s a really lovely thing,”
The actor's trepidation with being known as Mr. Big was discussed recently, as Noth almost didn’t return for the Sex and the City reboot. Noth explained that he worried that there was nothing to do with the character from a creative standpoint, but changed his mind when he heard of the ideas that executive producer Michael Patrick King had planned. More broadly, however, Noth’s sentiments reflect a dichotomy that many portrayers face. Starting out their careers, and perhaps even later than that, many performers would love to have a breakout role. Once that happens, understandably, most actors don’t want to be typecast in one sort of role, and would like to be able to challenge themselves creatively in different projects.
That struggle between gratitude at the opportunity and worry at being pigeonholed is something that Noth articulates succinctly. Still, as he also notes, Sex and the City has been joined with New York since its inception. Often to the point of cliché that other romantic comedies emulate (including the most recent series from Sex and the City creator Darren Star, Emily in Paris), the city has been cited as uncredited protagonist on the show. Ultimately, despite Noth's earlier annoyances, it is relatively rare to be a big component of such a recognizable series, and his iconic role on Sex and the City has truly cemented the actor in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere.
Source: The Guardian