Honestly, it is hard to imagine anyone else in those power suits. When you think about the high-octane, PR-hustling, unapologetically sexual Samantha Jones, one name immediately hits you: Kim Cattrall. She didn't just play a role; she basically invented a new archetype for women on television.
But here is the thing. Cattrall almost didn't do it.
She actually turned down the role of Samantha four different times. Can you believe that? She was 41 at the time and felt like she might be "too old" to play a character whose entire brand was being the "sexy" one. She had this moment of self-doubt where she wondered if audiences would even want to see a woman in her 40s being that bold about her desires.
The Woman Who Played Samantha on Sex and the City
Before she was the PR maven of Manhattan, Kim Cattrall was already a seasoned pro. Born in Liverpool and raised in Canada, she had this transatlantic poise that made Samantha feel more sophisticated than just your average New Yorker. By the time 1998 rolled around, she’d already starred in 80s cult classics like Mannequin and Big Trouble in Little China.
When she finally said "yes" to Darren Star (the show's creator), she brought something to the table that wasn't in the script. She insisted that Samantha shouldn't just be a nymphomaniac. She wanted her to be a "try-sexual"—someone who would try anything once.
She fought for the character’s dignity.
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Why Kim Cattrall was the heart of the show
While Carrie was busy obsessing over Post-it notes and Charlotte was hunting for a husband, Samantha was the one who actually seemed to like herself. Fans loved her because she was non-judgmental. Remember when Carrie had an affair with Big while he was married to Natasha? The other girls were a bit judgy, but Samantha just shrugged and offered a cocktail.
That was her superpower.
She was the oldest of the group, usually about a decade older than the rest, but she had more energy than all of them combined. Her cancer storyline in Season 6 is still one of the most raw things HBO ever aired. Seeing the "invincible" Samantha deal with chemotherapy—and that iconic scene where she takes off her wig during a speech because she's too hot—that was Cattrall at her best.
The Fallout: What Really Happened with the Reboot
If you watched the revival, And Just Like That, you noticed a giant, Samantha-sized hole in the cast. The show explained her absence by saying she moved to London after a falling out with Carrie.
Life imitating art? Kinda.
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The real-life drama between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) has been tabloid fodder for years. Cattrall has been very vocal about the fact that she and the other three actresses were "never friends." She described the relationship as professional, which, let's be real, is common in Hollywood. But things got messy.
There were reports of:
- Salary disputes: Cattrall reportedly wanted a higher salary as the show became a hit, but since SJP was also an Executive Producer, there was a massive pay gap.
- The "Mean Girls" vibe: Rumors swirled for years that SJP, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis formed a trio that excluded Cattrall on set.
- The 2018 Tragedy: When Kim’s brother passed away, SJP posted a condolence message on Instagram. Cattrall fired back, calling SJP "cruel" and telling her, "You are not my family. You are not my friend."
It was a total bridge-burning moment.
The 2023 Cameo: A Million-Dollar Minute
In 2023, the unthinkable happened. Samantha Jones returned... for about 70 seconds.
For the Season 2 finale of And Just Like That, Cattrall agreed to a cameo. But she had conditions. Very specific, very "Samantha" conditions. She reportedly filmed her scene in a car, in a garage, without seeing or speaking to any of her former co-stars. She even brought back Patricia Field, the original costume designer who also didn't return for the reboot, to dress her.
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Rumor has it she got paid a cool $1 million for that one minute of screen time. Talk about knowing your worth.
Was there ever another Samantha?
Strictly speaking, yes. If we’re talking about the entire "Sex and the City" universe, we have to mention Lindsey Gort. She played a younger version of Samantha Jones in the prequel series The Carrie Diaries. Gort did a great job capturing that husky voice and confident swagger, but the show only lasted two seasons. It was a "nice to have," but it wasn't the "must-see" Samantha we grew up with.
Why Samantha Jones Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era where everyone is trying to be "authentic," but Samantha was doing it back when people were still using dial-up internet. She taught a generation of women that:
- Age is a suggestion. She was 50 and fabulous when the first movie came out.
- Loyalty is everything. She would bail you out of jail or babysit your kid, even if she hated kids.
- Self-love comes first. "I love you, but I love me more." That’s the gospel of Sam.
Moving Forward with the Franchise
If you're looking for more Samantha content, your best bet is honestly a rewatch of the original six seasons. While Kim Cattrall has moved on to projects like Glamorous and How I Met Your Father, her legacy as the woman who played Samantha on Sex and the City is untouchable.
If you want to dive deeper into the history of the show, you should check out the book Sex and the City and Us by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. It gives a really balanced look at the behind-the-scenes power struggles without being too "gossipy." Also, if you’re curious about the fashion, the Instagram account @everyoutfitonsatc tracks almost every piece Samantha ever wore, which is a trip down memory lane.
For now, don't expect a full-season return. Cattrall has made it clear she’s done with the character in a permanent capacity. But hey, in the world of TV reboots, never say never—especially if there's a car, a garage, and a million-dollar check involved.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the original HBO series (Seasons 1–6) to see the character's full arc.
- Check out Kim Cattrall's work in Sensitive Skin for a more dramatic side of her acting.
- Follow the official And Just Like That writers' room social media for updates on how they plan to keep the character "alive" via text in future seasons.