James Remar has a face you don't forget. Whether he’s playing a terrifying gang member in The Warriors or the moral compass (well, sort of) in Dexter, he brings this intense, lived-in energy to every frame. But for a huge chunk of TV fans, he will always be Richard Wright.
You know the guy. The hotel magnate. The man who actually got Samantha Jones to put her heart on the line, only to drop it from a penthouse balcony.
The Alpha Match Samantha Didn’t See Coming
When James Remar joined Sex and the City in Season 4, the show changed. Honestly, before Richard Wright, Samantha was basically invincible. She was the one who treated men like Kleenex. Then comes Richard. He’s wealthy, he’s powerful, and he’s basically the male version of her.
It was a total power play from the start. Remember their first meeting? He’s interviewing her for a PR gig and he's dismissive. He’s cold. He tells her women are "too emotional." Most guys would’ve been incinerated by a Samantha Jones glare right then and there. But Richard was different. He had that James Remar gravel in his voice and a level of confidence that didn't just match Samantha's—it challenged it.
Why the Chemistry Actually Worked
People talk about the "chemistry" between actors all the time, but with Remar and Kim Cattrall, it was palpable. It wasn't just about the sex scenes—though, let’s be real, those were high-octane. It was the way they looked at each other over dirty martinis.
There’s that iconic scene where they’re dancing by the rooftop pool to Sade’s "By Your Side." It’s one of the few times in the entire six-season run where Samantha looks truly vulnerable. Not "sad" vulnerable, but "I might actually let this person in" vulnerable. Remar played Richard with this slick, shark-like charm that made you understand exactly why a woman who prided herself on being unattachable would suddenly buy a "Richard Wright" heart-shaped diamond.
The Betrayal That Broke the Fandom
We have to talk about the cheating. Because it wasn't just a "mistake." It was brutal.
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Samantha follows him, wearing a wig that honestly deserved its own Emmy, and catches him in the act. The line he gives her afterward? "It’s just sex." It was the ultimate slap in the face because it was the exact logic Samantha had used on dozens of men before.
"I Love You, But I Love Me More"
This is arguably the most famous line in the history of the show. When Samantha finally walks away in the Season 4 finale, it’s a massive moment for her character development. She tried to forgive him. She really did. She even bought him that "I Love You" heart, which felt so out of character for her.
But the paranoia was eating her alive. Remar was so good at playing the "reformed" cheater that you almost believed him, which made Samantha’s descent into jealousy even harder to watch. She realized that being with him turned her into someone she didn't recognize—someone who checked phones and followed cars.
So she left. And she chose herself.
James Remar Thinks They Should Have Stayed Together
Interestingly enough, James Remar himself is a Richard/Samantha truther. In recent interviews, including one from late 2024 at a Dexter premiere, he’s been pretty vocal about it. He actually told reporters he was "surprised" they didn't end up together.
"I’m the best boyfriend on the show," Remar told People. "I said to Michael Patrick King, 'How come you dissolved our relationship? It's like we were the two that were the best for each other.'"
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According to Remar, the showrunner’s response was pretty bleak. King apparently told him, "We only introduce love on this show to have it fail."
It’s a hot take, for sure. Most fans would argue that Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis) was the "best" boyfriend because he stayed through the cancer battle and the shaved head. But Remar’s point is about the match. Richard and Samantha were equals in a way no one else was. They were both apex predators.
Where is James Remar Now?
If you've been watching TV lately, you might have done a double-take. James Remar is 71 now, and he still looks like a powerhouse, but he’s definitely moved into the "distinguished veteran" phase of his career.
He’s currently starring in the Ryan Murphy legal drama All’s Fair (2025) alongside Kim Kardashian and Glenn Close. He plays Theodore Baskin, a character who is a far cry from the jet-setting hotelier of New York. He also returned to the Dexter universe for the prequel Dexter: Original Sin, reminding everyone why he was the heart of that show for so many years.
Could Richard Wright Return in And Just Like That?
The big question everyone asks is whether Richard will show up in the reboot. Samantha is in London (and Kim Cattrall is mostly absent from the show, save for that one Season 2 cameo), so a reunion seems unlikely.
Remar has said he’d "consider" it, but he’s also a realist. He’s joked that he’s an "old guy" now and isn't sure the writers are looking to bring back the ghost of Samantha’s past. Plus, without Cattrall there to play against, a Richard Wright appearance might feel a bit hollow.
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The Richard Wright Legacy
What James Remar brought to Sex and the City was a specific type of New York masculinity that the show needed. He wasn't the "nice guy" like Aidan or the "soulmate" like Big. He was the mirror.
He showed Samantha that she could love someone, which paved the way for her to eventually let Smith in. He was a necessary villain, a charming bastard, and a reminder that sometimes the person who is "perfect" for you on paper is the one who will destroy your peace of mind the fastest.
If you’re rewatching the series, pay attention to the nuance Remar brings to the Season 5 "reunion" episodes. The way he tries to win her back isn't with grand gestures, but with that same effortless, "I get you" energy. It’s a masterclass in playing a character you love to hate.
To dive deeper into the world of Sex and the City and how its male characters shaped the narrative, you can look into the following:
- Trace the evolution of Samantha’s relationships from casual flings to the high-stakes drama with Richard to the devotion of Smith.
- Examine the power dynamics of early 2000s New York dating as portrayed in the "Richard Wright" episodes of Season 4.
- Follow James Remar’s current projects like All’s Fair to see how he continues to bring that signature intensity to the screen today.