The curtain has fallen on And Just Like That, the latest chapter in the story of Carrie Bradshaw and her New York City life. This HBO Max series, a spin-off from the beloved Sex and the City, recently wrapped up its third and final season. Its ending, which aired on Thursday, August 14th, left viewers deeply divided. Some loved it, while others found themselves frustrated by the journey.
Michael Patrick King, the creative mind behind And Just Like That, is 70 years old. He recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly in a piece published on Friday, August 15th, the day after the finale. King offered his thoughts on why the show stirred up such strong feelings. He suggested there were two very different reactions to the series.
"Two things are happening," King told the magazine. "There’s And Just Like That, the press piñata. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! It’s like a party game." He pointed out how much media attention and criticism the show received. "Then there’s the unwritten love of people who have been with Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte for 27 years. They care about happy endings and good stories."
King emphasized that loyal fans often react differently. "Those are the ones who are amazed when Carrie [Sarah Jessica Parker] goes to meet Duncan [Jonathan Cake] and walks by the fountain. They really see their Carrie Bradshaw," he explained. "Nobody writes about that, but people are feeling it."
King believes there’s a big difference in how generations view Carrie. He sees a split between those who have followed Carrie for years and newer viewers.
Generational Perspectives on Carrie’s Flaws
On one side, King suggested, are people in their fifties. They cheer for Carrie when she enjoys a cocktail with friends, just like in the old days. On the other side, King noted a different group. "There are twenty-somethings who watch Sex and the City on Netflix and say both Carrie and Aidan [John Corbett] are bad," he shared. "They have a completely new perspective."
These younger viewers might question why Carrie has imperfections. "Why is Carrie flawed?" King pondered. "I mean, can’t one have flaws anymore?" He believes that Carrie’s flaws make her more interesting. "She has flaws and is heroic at the same time, and that’s exciting," King added. "But it really is… I don’t know." He jokingly described his own state: "Can you be zen and agitated? Can you be zen-itated? That’s what I am."
The final episode, which aired on Thursday, August 14th, showed Carrie looking out from her luxurious Manhattan home. The big reveal was that she found happiness being single. This came after her breakup with Aidan and a short fling with Duncan. In a voiceover, Carrie read a line from her new novel’s epilogue. It perfectly captured her feelings: "The woman realized she wasn’t alone — she was with herself."
The Sex and the City relaunch first hit screens in 2021. It brought back Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) to continue their stories. Just two weeks before the characters said their big goodbyes, King and Sarah Jessica Parker, who is 60, confirmed the current season of AJLT would be its last.
King explained to Entertainment Weekly why they kept the news a secret at first. "When we were about to do press, I didn’t want to have a conversation," he said. "I didn’t want all the girls and me saying, ‘Well, it’s over.’" He felt it was important to let the show unfold. "I really didn’t want to talk about why something was ending while we were starting it. It just becomes the headline. It’s the only thing on the menu: the final season."
He added that this approach helps viewers connect more deeply. "That works because it grabs attention, but it also takes away a bit of emotional commitment from the audience," King stated. "They think, ‘Well, why should I get involved? It’s over.’ I really wanted people to get involved, and they did."