So, here we are. It’s 2026, and if you haven’t yet caught up on the chaos of And Just Like That season 3, you’ve probably at least heard the screaming coming from certain corners of the internet. We need to talk about it. We need to talk about Rosie O’Donnell and Just Like That, because frankly, nobody saw "lesbian virgin nun from Winnipeg" on their bingo card for the series finale year.
It was the jump scare heard ‘round the world. Or at least ‘round the West Village.
Why the Rosie O’Donnell and Just Like That Cameo Actually Happened
Honestly, this wasn't just some random casting choice thrown together at the last minute to fill the void left by Che Diaz. According to Cynthia Nixon, the show’s writers—specifically Michael Patrick King—had been trying to get Rosie on the show for years. Literally every season. But the timing was always off, or the role wasn't right, or whatever.
Then came season 3.
Nixon actually texted Rosie herself. She sent over the script for the premiere episode, titled "Outlook Good," and basically held her breath. Rosie’s response? "In a minute!" She didn't even have to think about it. And why would she? Playing a character named Mary who happens to be a "virgin nun" who ends up in bed with Miranda Hobbes is the kind of high-camp drama this franchise was built on.
It’s kinda wild when you think about the history here. Rosie and Cynthia have been friends for decades. Rosie has admitted she’s been "in love" with Cynthia’s talent since seeing her in Wit on Broadway years ago. So, when they finally got to film those hotel room scenes, Rosie joked that she didn't even have to act.
The chemistry was just there.
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What Really Happened With Sister Mary
Let’s recap the messiness for a second. Miranda, still reeling from her divorce and her spectacular flame-out with Che, hits a lesbian bar. She meets Mary. Mary is from a tiny town called Dunnottar, just outside of Winnipeg. She’s in New York for a conference on the "Compassion of the Unhoused."
They hit it off. They go back to the hotel. They... well, you know.
The morning after is where the real Rosie O’Donnell and Just Like That magic (or trauma, depending on who you ask) happens. Mary drops the bombshell. She wasn't just "inexperienced." She was a virgin. And she’s a nun.
"So, you deflowered the Virgin Mary?"
That line from Carrie Bradshaw is probably the most "classic Carrie" thing we’ve heard in three seasons. It’s the kind of pun that makes you want to groan and laugh at the same time. But for Miranda, it was a total role reversal. Suddenly, she was the "experienced queer" dealing with someone having a massive spiritual and sexual awakening in real-time.
The M&M Incident in Times Square
If the nun revelation wasn't enough, the show doubled down on the "cringe tourist" trope. Mary starts texting Miranda incessantly. She wants to ride the carousel in Central Park. She wants to meet at the M&M store in Times Square.
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It was painful to watch.
Miranda eventually has to do the "it's not you, it's me" talk—or rather, the "don't leave God for me" talk—amidst the neon lights and giant chocolate candies. Mary’s response was actually kind of sweet, though. She told Miranda she’d never leave God because they’re married, but that meeting Miranda helped her find the person living inside her.
What the Fans (and Critics) Got Wrong
A lot of people on Reddit and Twitter absolutely hated this storyline. They called it "jump scare" casting. They hated that a legend like Rosie O'Donnell was relegated to a "silly tourist" role.
But here’s the thing: that was the point.
Sex and the City was always about the "freak of the week." Remember the guy who could only climax if he was being barked at? Or the one who lived with his parents? Mary was a throwback to that era. After two seasons of heavy, often depressing storylines about grief and sobriety, the show needed a bit of absurdity.
Also, it served a purpose for Miranda’s character arc. For once, Miranda wasn't the one being humiliated or confused. She was the one in control. Sorta.
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The Technical Side: Behind the Scenes of Season 3
The production for this season was pretty intense. They filmed the Times Square scenes back in May 2024, and the photos of Rosie with that gray, shoulder-length hair and no glasses leaked almost immediately.
- Director: Michael Patrick King handled the premiere.
- Location: Much of the Rosie/Cynthia arc was filmed on location in Manhattan.
- The Look: Rosie’s wardrobe was intentionally "non-designer," which is a rarity for this show. She looked like a woman from Manitoba, not a woman from a Vogue spread.
It’s important to remember that season 3 was also the first season without Sara Ramirez (Che) and Karen Pittman (Nya). The show needed new energy, and Rosie provided that in spades. Even if you hated the nun plot, you can’t deny that O’Donnell brought a grounded, sincere quality to a show that often feels like it's floating in a bubble of $500 martinis.
Final Take: Why This Cameo Matters
At the end of the day, Rosie O’Donnell and Just Like That was about more than just a shocking headline. It was about two queer icons of a certain age getting to play together on screen. Rosie has talked about how relatable the character was—a woman who spent her life one way and suddenly realized there was a whole other world waiting for her.
It wasn't just a joke. It was a tiny, weirdly touching story about late-in-life discovery.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of AJLT or just want to relive the glory days of Rosie's talk show, there are a few things you can do. First, go back and watch the premiere "Outlook Good" with a close eye on the background—the Times Square crowd was actually full of real tourists who had no idea they were in a scene with a "nun."
Secondly, check out Rosie’s Instagram. She’s been pretty vocal about her time on the set and even shared some of the "behind the scenes" nameplates and scripts that confirm the character's name was always Mary.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Rewatch the Premiere: Look for the "nun puns" hidden in the dialogue between Carrie and Miranda; there are more than you think.
- Follow the Guest Stars: Season 3 is packed with them. If you liked Rosie, keep an eye out for Patti LuPone’s arc later in the season.
- Check the History: Look up Cynthia Nixon and Rosie O'Donnell's real-life friendship. It makes the "electric" chemistry in that hotel room make a lot more sense.
The show might be over now that season 3 has wrapped up the franchise, but the "Virgin Mary" episode will definitely go down as one of its weirdest, most talked-about moments. Love it or hate it, Rosie O'Donnell left her mark on the Sex and the City universe.