Let’s be real. If you’re here, you’ve probably spent the last year oscillating between loving the chaotic energy of Che Diaz and missing the simplicity of Carrie Bradshaw’s 1998 shoe budget. It’s been a long wait. And Just Like That left us on a cliffhanger that felt more like a slow-motion sunset—Carrie and Seema sipping cosmos on a beach in Greece, finally unburdened by the men who, quite frankly, were taking up too much oxygen. But the question remains: when does And Just Like That come back to our screens?
We finally have some clarity, and it isn't just hearsay.
Production is officially moving. Sarah Jessica Parker has been spotted on the streets of New York City, which is always the first signal that the fashion-industrial complex is back in business. But don't expect a premiere tomorrow. HBO (well, Max) is playing the long game here. Because of the massive industry strikes that paralyzed Hollywood in 2023, the entire pipeline for prestige dramedies was pushed back. We’re looking at a 2025 release window. Specifically, production kicked off in May 2024. If you follow the math of post-production—which usually takes about six to eight months for a show with this much color grading and licensing—we are likely looking at a spring or summer 2025 premiere.
The Cast Shakeups That Actually Matter
It’s not just about when the show returns, but who shows up to the party. The biggest news? Karen Pittman and Sara Ramírez are out. Honestly, Nya Wallace was a character that never quite found her footing in the broader group, and Che Diaz—well, Che was a lightning rod. Whether you loved the "comedy concerts" or watched through your fingers, the absence of Che changes the fundamental dynamic of Miranda’s storyline.
Without Che, where does Miranda go? We saw her finally finding her voice again at the United Nations, but the show thrives on her personal messiness. Cynthia Nixon has hinted in recent interviews that Miranda is entering a "redemption" era, though in the world of Sex and the City, redemption usually involves a very expensive cocktail and a very bad dating decision.
Then there's the Rosie O’Donnell factor.
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Yes, Rosie is joining the cast as a character named Mary. This is a massive pivot. O’Donnell brings a specific, grounded New York energy that the show sometimes loses when it gets too caught up in the $20 million apartments. Seeing how she interacts with the core trio will be the litmus test for whether Season 3 can recapture the "girl talk" magic of the original series.
Why the Delay Felt Like an Eternity
The gap between Season 2 and Season 3 has been frustratingly wide. You can blame the writers' and actors' strikes, sure, but there’s also the logistical nightmare of filming in Manhattan. Unlike shows filmed on a soundstage in Atlanta, And Just Like That uses the city as a living, breathing set. You can't just fake the Upper East Side.
Michael Patrick King, the showrunner who has been the architect of Carrie’s world since the beginning, is known for being meticulous. He doesn't just write scripts; he curates vibes. This takes time. He’s also dealing with a cast that has massive outside commitments. Sarah Jessica Parker isn't just Carrie; she’s running a shoe empire and producing theater. Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon have their own philanthropic and political lives. Getting these three schedules to align is like trying to find a taxi in the rain on a Friday night—nearly impossible, but somehow it eventually happens.
What Happened to Aidan?
We have to talk about the five-year plan.
At the end of Season 2, Aidan Shaw—the man who simply refuses to stay away from Carrie’s chaos—told her he needed five years to focus on his kids in Virginia. It was a polarizing move. Some fans thought it was a mature acknowledgment of parenthood; others thought it was a cheap way to keep John Corbett on the payroll without having to write him into every scene.
Will Season 3 time-jump five years?
Probably not. A five-year jump would put the characters in their early 60s. While that would be a bold move for television, it’s more likely we’ll see Carrie navigating "the wait." Expect a lot of FaceTime calls with Aidan and a lot of Carrie wondering if she’s made a huge mistake by letting him walk away again. Or, knowing Carrie, she’ll find a way to make the wait all about her and a new pair of vintage Dior boots.
The Samantha Jones Elephant in the Room
Kim Cattrall’s cameo in the Season 2 finale was the "shot heard 'round the world" for SATC fans. It was 70 seconds of pure nostalgia. But don't hold your breath for a series regular return. Cattrall has been very clear about her boundaries. The cameo was a gift to the fans, brokered by the head of HBO himself, but the rift between her and SJP is still very much a thing.
The show has found a way to keep Samantha alive through text messages, which feels strangely modern. It mimics how many of us maintain friendships in our 50s—sporadic, digital, but deeply rooted in history. Season 3 will likely continue this. Samantha is in London, she’s thriving, and she’s a text away. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than killing her off or pretending she never existed.
New Faces and Fresh Perspectives
With Nya and Che gone, the show has room to breathe. Mehret Marsh has been cast in a recurring role, and the rumors are swirling that we’ll see more of the "new" friends—Seema, Lisa Todd Wexley, and Jackie—getting their own independent arcs that don't always revolve around the central three.
Seema Patel, played by the incomparable Sarita Choudhury, has become the breakout star. She fills the void Samantha left without trying to be Samantha. Her relationship with Toby is up in the air, and honestly, seeing a woman of color in her 50s being unapologetically high-maintenance and romantic is exactly what this franchise needed to stay relevant in 2026.
Predicting the Season 3 Vibe
If Season 1 was about grief (the death of Big) and Season 2 was about exploration (the return of Aidan and the messiness of Che), Season 3 feels like it’s going to be about agency.
The characters aren't reacting to tragedies anymore. They are making choices. Charlotte is reclaiming her career in the art world, proving that being a "mom" isn't her only identity. Miranda is rebuilding from the ashes of her marriage and her impulsive California dream. Carrie is, for the first time in a long time, truly a single woman in Manhattan with a massive bank account and no "Big" ghost haunting her every move.
The fashion is also expected to take a turn. Sources from the set have noted a mix of high-end couture and "re-wearing" pieces from the original series. This is a nod to the growing trend of sustainable luxury. Seeing Carrie in a dress from 1999 isn't just fanservice; it's a statement about how these women carry their history with them.
Actionable Steps for the Long Wait
Since we are still months away from the actual premiere, here is how you can stay in the loop without falling for clickbait:
- Follow the Costume Designers: Danny Santiago and Molly Rogers often post behind-the-scenes "sneaks" of the outfits on Instagram. This is usually where the first real plot clues appear. Look for @andjustlikethatcostumes.
- Watch the Filming Locations: If you’re in NYC, keep an eye on "On Location Vacations." The show frequently films around the West Village and the Upper East Side. Seeing them film at a specific restaurant can tell you a lot about which characters are still talking to each other.
- Re-watch the "Anchor" Episodes: To prepare for Season 3, go back and watch the Season 2 finale, "The Last Supper Part Two," and the original Sex and the City Season 4 finale, "I Heart NY." The parallels in Carrie’s journey are becoming more pronounced.
- Check Max Official Pressroom: Don't trust random TikTok rumors. The moment a concrete date is set, it will appear on the Warner Bros. Discovery press site first.
The return of And Just Like That isn't just a TV premiere; it’s a cultural touchstone for a generation that grew up with these women. We’ve watched them navigate 9/11, the 2008 crash, marriages, divorces, and now, the complexities of aging in a world that prizes youth above all else. Whether you watch it to hate-tweet or watch it because you genuinely care about Charlotte’s gallery career, the show remains essential viewing. We’ll be waiting at the bar—cosmos ready—until 2025.