The SATC women have returned in And Just Like That... and it's exciting to note what's changed, or more importantly what new relationships have begun. Part of the excitement of their return is to see how life has progressed after over a decade. A series (rather than a feature-length movie) allows for more time with Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda while getting to understand their new relationships.
Much discussion and controversy have arisen because of the changes written into these women's lives, but all great character development includes challenges. From platonic to romantic, these are the most important new relationships that Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte form through their new adventures.
Carrie & Lisette
After Big is gone, Carrie moves back into the brownstone where it all started. Lisette, the downstairs neighbor is a young jewelry designer. She regularly hangs out with her friends on the front stoop until well into the night. Carrie recognizes herself in Lisette like a reflection of the original Sex and the City Carrie, yet she still wants to get a good night's sleep.
Soon she's forced to confront the neighbor and her aging. Fortunately, the two women begin to see their similarities and find a connection. But aging is a major theme for this new incarnation of a show originally about the other side of adulthood.
Anthony (& Stanford) & The Hot Fellas
At the beginning of And Just Like That..., Anthony and Stanford are still together, but it's not surprising to find them a bit in a rut after more than ten years. Separately, they're doing well--Anthony has started his delivery service called Hot Fellas Baked Goods and Stanford has started to fill in for the absent outrageous Samantha. Unfortunately, Willie Garson, the actor who played Stanford, ed away during filming which changed everything. Stanford is written out, taking a trip to Japan and asking Anthony for a divorce.
Anthony and his bakery full of buff delivery men begin to play a larger role: carrying Carrie into her condo after surgery and delivering challah in yamulkas to Rock's They Mitzvah. The Hot Fellas certainly adds to both the humor and handsome men that the show is known for over the years, but the surprising bonus is getting to know Anthony better.
Charlotte & Her Teens
Fans got to see Charlotte's and Miranda's little kids in Sex and the City, but with this new show, they get to know them as young adults. In the first episode, Lily and Rock are shown with their own developed internal lives which Charlotte and Harry are struggling to understand. Lily is guarded and on her phone nonstop.
Rock is beginning to verbalize changes they'd like to make as they're discovering their own identity. Rock's coming out as nonbinary is one of the large over-arching storylines for this new series. It not only addresses an important current cultural conversation but reconnects the viewers with the Charlotte they know and love.
Brady Hobbes & Luisa (& Brady Fighting With Miranda)
Miranda and Steve's 17-year-old Brady Hobbes is having a lot of sex with his girlfriend, Luisa. The problem is it's in his bedroom when his parents are home. Miranda and Steve are open-minded, sex-positive. The teenage couple make out at a piano recital, have their lube delivered, and leave used condoms on the floor.
Steve doesn't seem to notice or mind much. However, it's driving Miranda bonkers. Brady takes advantage of their leniency and challenges Miranda, who wants to be a cool mom but without getting walked all over. This is a huge shift in their relationship, too, as Miranda struggles to stay 'cool' around Brady, or to always get along with him.
Carrie & Che & Jackie
Carrie no longer writes her column (hence the lack of voiceovers, one would imagine). Now Carrie is a co-host on a podcast called X, Y, and Me with new boss Che Diaz played by Sara Ramirez and the hilarious Jackie Nee played by Bobby Lee. While Che and Jackie are no-holds-barred with the sex talk, Carrie takes a while to get accustomed to discussing what she used to write in her column.
As the series progresses, Carrie attends Che's comedy special and Jackie's impromptu wedding. She even calls Jackie for advice. It's an interesting thing fans saw rarely in the original show: Carrie's friends outside of her besties. This iteration of their lives really opens them up to more possibilities and adventures.
Carrie & Seema
Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) is assumed by many to be Samantha's replacement. It's easy to imagine this elegant, confident, wealthy woman could take up the role. However, Samantha is nearly impossible to replace. The writers of this series have been smart to instead divide up that responsibility among a variety of characters.
Upon meeting Carrie, Seema explains that her name means 'boundary' in Hindi but that she doesn't have any. As fans get to know Seema, she is at a place in life where she has established boundaries that make her happy. Sure, she might not be able to cut to the front of the line at a hot new club, but she knows how to walk away unscathed. She also has the confidence to see the owner of hot club and pick him up with ease.
Carrie & Peter
Though he may be just a guest star, Jon Tenney as Peter serves a vital role. He is both an assignment from her editor and Carrie's first attempt at a rebound after Big's death. Carrie is upfront with Peter about how she's doing dealing with the loss and, in return, Peter is honest about losing his wife.
Though too many cocktails barely get them through their first date, the two try to figure out if they could date. The two probably won't end up together, but Carrie and Peter connect on an important level. They help each other test the waters. And for Carrie, there just might be a glimmer of hope to step back out into the dating world.
The Goldenblatts & The Wexleys
The Wexleys are a great match for the Goldenblatts. More importantly, Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) is a perfect match for Charlotte. LTW fluidly multitasks as mother, wife, and documentarian while dressing flawlessly and collecting stunning modern art. She is what Charlotte calls a mom friend that she wants to become a real friend.
Though Charlotte worries about racial issues, LTW has similar worries. In typical SATC style, once Charlotte and LTW have a quick cup of coffee to discuss the issue, it's over. No more worries. Fortunately, Charlotte has made a really new friend.
Miranda & Nya (Plus Andre)
Out of all the new characters, Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) is one of the more intriguing and nuanced. Miranda attends the professor's class but seems to constantly put her foot in her mouth, more out of nervousness than anything else, as Dr. Wallace is a highly respected Columbia educator.
Add to the new relationships, Nya and her husband, Andre, who are given a complex storyline as they struggle IVF. They're happy together, have a great sex life, but struggle with societal expectations of having kids. With a second season, viewers would certainly be lucky to watch all of these relationships continue to evolve.
Che & Miranda
Che Diaz is the most divisive new personality but this is what happens when a new character is added to challenge a classic. They're meant to shake things up. Listen closely to Che's stand-up. Watch Charlotte's reaction to what inclusivity and acceptance mean. Look at Carrie cheering.
See Miranda when she truly hears what Che is saying about otherness and change. These characters we've known for so much of our lives are still growing. Imperfect sure and a bit clunky at times, Che is a huge catalyst for that change. Let Miranda keep growing, having some great sex, and try to redefine herself with or without Che. Let them all grow.