Honestly, if you’re still waiting for a notification from Max about a fourth season of the Sex and the City revival, you can probably stop refreshing your feed. It’s over. The announcement that And Just Like That would end with its third season felt like a sudden breakup text for many, especially after that "five-year" bombshell Aidan dropped at the end of the second season.
We all had questions.
How was Carrie supposed to wait five years for a man who wouldn't even step foot in her apartment? Why did the showrunners think we’d be cool with a half-decade time jump or a series of postcards?
The End of the New Sex and the City
Michael Patrick King eventually confirmed that Season 3 would be the final chapter. He mentioned in a statement back in August 2025 that while writing the 12th episode, it just felt like the right place to stop. It wasn't exactly a planned ending from the start of the revival, but the narrative weight of the characters' 50s seemed to reach a natural peak. Sarah Jessica Parker and King apparently kept the news under wraps for a while so the word "final" wouldn't ruin the vibe of the weekly releases.
The third season itself was a bit of a chaotic ride. It premiered on May 29, 2025, and expanded from the usual 10 episodes to a beefier 12-episode run.
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One thing that immediately felt different was the absence of Che Diaz. After two seasons of being the show’s most polarizing figure, Sara Ramírez didn't return. Cynthia Nixon later clarified that both Ramírez and the writers felt Che’s arc—shaking up Miranda’s life and then flaming out in a disastrous comedy pilot—had basically run its course. Karen Pittman, who played Nya Wallace, also had to exit due to scheduling conflicts with other projects. The cast felt thinner, but it gave more room to people like Seema and LTW.
The Aidan Problem and the Surprise Returns
Remember that "impossible demand" Aidan made? The one where he told Carrie he needed to be a full-time dad in Virginia for five years because his son Wyatt was struggling?
Most of us expected Aidan to be a voice on the phone for most of the season. But the showrunners realized that "waiting for something to happen" is terrible television. John Corbett actually showed up as early as Episode 2, titled "The Rat Race." The writers broke their own five-year contract because they wanted the tension of Carrie and Aidan trying to navigate a messy, sexual, long-distance thing that they kept failing to keep strictly platonic.
And then there’s the Samantha of it all.
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Kim Cattrall’s cameo in the Season 2 finale was the highlight for many, but she was very clear about not coming back for Season 3. She even went on X (formerly Twitter) to gently shut down fans, saying, "Aw that’s so kind but I’m not."
Instead of a physical return, the show used those tiny digital breadcrumbs—texts and mentions—to keep her spirit alive. However, the series finale did something big. It mirrored the ending of the first movie by bringing the core energy of the four women together in a way that felt like a proper goodbye to the Sex and the City legacy.
What Most People Missed About the Finale
The finale, which aired in August 2025, wasn't just about Carrie’s love life. It shifted the focus back to her identity as a writer. She pivoted to fiction, working on a "romantasy" novel set in the 1800s.
Charlotte’s storyline actually hit home for a lot of parents. After years of being a "super-mom," she finally reclaimed her professional identity in the gallery world, telling Harry he needed to step up and do more than the "bare minimum" at home. Meanwhile, Miranda found a new romantic interest in a BBC personality named Joy, played by Dolly Wells, proving that her journey of self-discovery didn't end with the Che "trainwreck."
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The Legacy of the Revival
Looking back, the new Sex and the City was never going to be the original show. It couldn't be. The world changed, and so did the characters. While the revival faced its fair share of "hate-watching," it successfully tackled themes of grief, aging, and the evolution of long-term friendships.
If you're looking for what to do now that the show is officially in the "complete series" category:
- Rewatch the finale with an eye on the fashion: The costume designers, Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago, packed the final episodes with Easter eggs from the original series, including a contemporary take on the iconic tutu.
- Check out the podcast: "The Writers Room" podcast hosted by Michael Patrick King offers a lot of context on why certain characters like Che were written out and how they landed on the final ending.
- Explore the Guest Stars: Season 3 was packed with icons like Patti LuPone and Rosie O’Donnell. Seeing them interact with the main cast provided some of the season's best non-romantic moments.
The series ended on a note that felt final but hopeful. Carrie didn't necessarily "win" a husband in a traditional sense, but she reclaimed her city and her voice. And just like that, the story of four friends in New York finally found its rest.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Stream the Full Arc: Now that Season 3 is finished, watching the revival as a 33-episode block makes the character shifts (especially Miranda's) feel more grounded and less erratic than they did during the week-to-week wait.
- Follow the Cast’s New Projects: Sarah Jessica Parker has already moved back toward theater and independent film, while Cynthia Nixon remains heavily involved in New York activism.
- Visit the Real Locations: If you’re in NYC, the show’s impact on local spots like the Coney Island food stands (Steve's new spot) and the Upper East Side galleries remains a fun way to live out the show's aesthetic.