Honestly, if you go back and watch The Carrie Diaries today, it feels like a fever dream that actually worked. It premiered on The CW in January 2013, and at the time, everyone was skeptical. How do you take an HBO icon like Carrie Bradshaw—a woman defined by $40,000 shoe collections and Cosmopolitans—and turn her into a suburban teenager from Connecticut?
It shouldn’t have worked. Yet, here we are, over a decade since its 2014 cancellation, and the show has a tighter grip on TikTok aesthetic culture than the original series does on some Gen Z viewers.
The show isn't just a prequel. It’s a complete reimagining. While the 1990s Carrie was often self-absorbed and, let's be real, a bit of a nightmare to her friends, the 1980s version played by AnnaSophia Robb was plucky, ambitious, and genuinely kind. It gave us a version of Carrie that we could actually root for without wanting to scream at the TV.
The Carrie Diaries: What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume The Carrie Diaries is just a "young" version of Sex and the City. That's the first mistake. If you’re looking for a perfect 1:1 continuity, you’re going to be annoyed.
The show, developed by Amy B. Harris (who actually worked on the original HBO series), takes massive liberties with the lore. In the HBO show, Carrie’s dad walked out when she was five. In the prequel? He’s a loving, slightly overprotective single father played by Matt Letscher, dealing with the fallout of Carrie’s mother passing away from cancer.
There’s also the sister situation. Older Carrie is an only child. Younger Carrie has Dorrit, a rebellious younger sister who listens to The Cure and hates everything.
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These aren't "errors." They’re choices. The show leaned into a softer, more emotional core that fit the 1980s teen drama vibe perfectly. It was less about the "Sex" and more about the "City"—specifically, the magic of discovering Manhattan for the first time.
Why the 1984 Setting Was a Masterstroke
Setting the show in 1984 wasn't just about the hair. It was about the hustle.
We see Carrie interning at a law firm—a job her dad got her—only to sneak away to Interview Magazine. It shows a version of Carrie that actually works for her success. Seeing her hand-paint her mother's old Century 21 bag (the iconic "Carrie" bag) felt more authentic than any high-end shopping spree in the later years.
The Sebastian Kydd vs. Mr. Big Debate
We have to talk about Austin Butler. Before he was Elvis, he was Sebastian Kydd.
He was the "Golden Boy" with a dark side, the ultimate 80s heartthrob. The chemistry between Robb and Butler was electric, mostly because it felt like actual first love—messy, confusing, and occasionally devastating.
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Unlike the toxic cycle of Big and Carrie, the relationship with Sebastian felt like a learning curve. It was about boundaries and growing up. When they broke up, it wasn't just "drama"; it was a necessary part of her becoming the woman who eventually moves to the Upper East Side.
The Samantha Jones Factor
Season 2 brought in Lindsey Gort as a young Samantha Jones, and she absolutely nailed it.
Gort didn't just do a Kim Cattrall impression. She captured the soul of the character: the bravado that masks a fiercely loyal heart. Seeing her meet Carrie for the first time—at a rock club, obviously—was the fan service we actually deserved.
Why Was It Cancelled?
The numbers were never great. Let’s be blunt.
It debuted to about 1.61 million viewers. By the end of the second season, it was struggling to stay above 800,000. The CW tried to save it by moving it to Friday nights—often called the "death slot" in network TV—but the audience didn't follow.
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It also suffered from a bit of an identity crisis. Was it for the 30-somethings who loved the original? Or for the teens who liked Gossip Girl? By trying to please both, it sometimes missed the mark on either.
But looking back, the 26 episodes we got are nearly perfect. They tell a complete arc of a girl finding her voice.
The Actionable Insight: How to Watch Today
If you’re diving back in or watching for the first time, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Ignore the SATC Canon: Treat it as a standalone "What If?" story. You’ll enjoy the character beats much more if you aren't fact-checking the timeline every five minutes.
- Watch for the Fashion: Costume designer Eric Daman (who also did Gossip Girl) used the 80s to tell a story. Notice how Carrie’s outfits get more "New York" and less "Connecticut" as the episodes progress.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: The music is top-tier. From Depeche Mode to Cyndi Lauper, the curated tracks are a literal masterclass in 80s pop and new wave.
- Check the Guest Stars: You’ll see early roles for people like Chloe Bridges (Donna LaDonna) and even a young Jake Robinson.
The show is currently streaming on various platforms depending on your region, often popping up on Max or The CW’s free app.
Final Take on the Legacy
The Carrie Diaries wasn't a failure; it was ahead of its time. It captured the "vibe shift" of the early 2010s while honoring the 80s. It reminded us that before the labels and the columns, Carrie Bradshaw was just a girl with a diary and a dream of a city that would eventually love her back.
To truly appreciate the evolution of the character, start with the Pilot and pay close attention to how Carrie handles her first internship. It sets the stage for every career move she makes later in life.
Stop comparing it to the original and start appreciating it for the vibrant, neon-soaked coming-of-age story it actually is. It’s the rare prequel that actually makes the lead character more likable.