Don't put away your Manolos just yet girls! Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte aren't done with you just yet, with Sex and the City reboot/spin-off And Just Like That confirmed to return for more.
The series, which touches base with three of the four beloved characters as they continue to navigate life in 2021, became a must-watch for all SATC fans (though if it was a delightful catch-up with old friends or a hate watch depends on who you ask).
If you thought they were wild in their 30s, you definitely haven't acquainted yourself with them in their 50s.
True, there was a lot less sex this time around, but it doesn't mean they weren't able to cause an excitable stir, and no, we're not just talking about the double-penis surprise in episode eight.
While Samantha was "stuck in London" missing all the 'fun', the girls have endured a heartbreaking death, relationship upheaval, exploration of sexuality and new friendships.
So we couldn't help wonder... what's in store next for our New York gal pals?
Here's what's coming up for Carrie and co next.
And Just Like That season 2 potential release date: When's it back?
Season two was officially given the go-ahead in March 2022.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Sarah Jessica Parker thanked the fans for their loyalty with the Sex and the City spin-off.
Alongside a photo of the cast, she wrote: "Season 2. Thank you to our audience. Plain and simple. You are our heartbeat. We love you so."
It shouldn't be a major surprise that this was the result, with Sarah telling Variety in February hat discussions were already being had.
"Definitely, yeah. Michael [Patrick King, creator] and I spoke two weeks ago, and said: 'OK, when are we going to talk about this? Because there's a calendar and you don't want to let too much time pass. [It] feels like there's momentum," she said.
An exact release date hans't been confirmed yet, but showrunner Michael Patrick King told Variety that season two started production in October 2022, with the aim of streaming on HBO Max in the summer of 2023.
And Just Like That season 2 cast: Will everyone be back for it?
When And Just Like That does return, obviously the Big Three are back – Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie, Cynthia Nixon as Miranda and Kristin Davis as Charlotte. After all, what would the show be without them?
However, as much as we can keep our fingers, toes and everything in between crossed, it's virtually an impossibility that Kim Cattrall will ever show up as Samantha – with a long-held feud between her and her castmates (particularly Sarah) running too deep for too long.
When asked if the door was open for her return and would Kim ever come back, executive producer Michael Patrick King said (via Variety) said:
"No. Just like there was no thought that Kim would ever participate in And Just Like That because she's said what she had said."
He added: "The only place I participate in magical thinking is in fiction. You take people at their word, and you're a smart producer – you don't back yourself into a corner. Magically thinking, it's great to have Samantha. I have no realistic expectation of Kim Cattrall ever appearing again."
In an interview with Variety in March, Kim confirmed she had no intention of ever returning to the series, and didn't appreciate the direction they'd taken her beloved character. She added: "I’ve come to the conclusion that really the greatest compliment I could have as an actor is to be missed."
"It's a great wisdom to know when enough is enough. I also didn't want to compromise what the show was to me. The way forward seemed clear," Cattrall told Variety.
"This feels like an echo of the past... I loved [Samantha]. I loved her so, so, so much. It’s tough competition. The original show is in all of our imaginations. But for me, it feels clean.
"[It] feels different than the Samantha that I played."
Don't tell showrunner Michael Patrick King as he wants to bring the original gang back together ASAP.
"My goal is to bring all the characters into the mix together so that they’re not so much on separate runways," said Michael, while confirming season 2 is aiming to be on HBO Max by summer 2023. "It’s all so new right now. One of my big rules is don’t tell things until they’re real."
Maybe don't tell Sarah Jessica Parker, either.
"It’s very hard to talk about the situation," Parker told the Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. "I’ve been so careful about not ever wanting to say anything that is unpleasant because it’s not the way I like to conduct conversations that are as complicated as this, you know?
"There is not a fight going on. There has been no public dispute or spat or conversations or allegations made by me or anybody on my behalf. I wouldn't do it. That is not the way I would have it.
"I just wish that they would stop calling this a 'catfight' or an 'argument,' because it doesn’t reflect, actually – there has been one person talking," said SJP. "And I’m not going to tell her not to, or anybody, so that’s been kind of painful for me also."
Of course, fans will remember that – on the show – Carrie texted Samantha during the finale to ask if she wanted to meet for a drink, to which Samantha agreed. King has stated that every writer on the show had a "different version of what happened during that conversation".
"So, I think there was some champagne," he said (via Variety). "I think there was a grown-up back and forth, and a love affair that they realised that something's more important than being afraid to heal. I'm sure they had a great night.
"To me, they had a great night and things became resolved. Once Carrie let go of an old, old love, one of her current loves came back in."
Another character who definitely won't be returning is Carrie’s husband Big (Chris Noth), who, in a shocking turn of events, died from a heart attack in the series premiere.
"The big miracle is that we got the show on the air before anyone knew that Mr. Big died," King told Variety. "I mean, that’s Herculean."
King explained that he had Noth appear at his own funeral and created fake eulogies to recite in front of the extras, but when the actors told him that they needed something real to react to, he decided to send half of them home and reveal the huge bombshell to the other.
"I took Sarah Jessica by the hand, and we stood up and said,''OK, I kept 75 of you because we want you to keep our secret," he said.
"'And this is Mr. Big’s funeral, and we’ve done everything we can to keep it a secret. And it’s very important to the show and we would love it. And then on December the 13th, the day after it airs, you can tell everybody you were there and you knew.' And they did!"
Meanwhile, John Corbett is confirmed (via Deadline) to return as fan favourite Aidan Shaw.
And Just Like That writer Julie Rottenberg explained why Aidan wasn't in the first season (via TVLine).
"That was one of these stories that came out, and HBO never confirmed it," she clarified. "I think their policy was they couldn't keep confirming or denying every random theory that was thrown out. But no, that was never in the plan.
"We love John, and we love Aidan. It just wasn't in the script," Rottenberg added.
Elsewhere in the show, we did at least get some new ladies to join the crew. Nicole Ari Parker, Sara Ramirez and Karen Pittman all became new additions to the central girls' lives, and immediately made an impact on fans and the characters alike.
But it was Ramirez, who plays Che, Carrie's podcast producer/co-host/stand-up comic and Miranda's new lover, who really made an impact. Fans united in their love of hating her, but somehow she's gone full circle into a character they love (to hate) to have around. She's been criticised for the brash personality and somewhat clichéd representation of a non-binary person, but you have to admit it... Twitter would've been a lot less interesting a place without her.
In June 2022, it was confirmed that Che would be back on our screens once again for season two as Miranda continues her path of self-discovery.
"One of my burning passions about season 2 is Che," Michael Patrick King told Variety. "I want to show the dimension of Che that people didn't see, for whatever reason, because they were blinded, out of fear or terror. I want to show more of Che rather than less of Che. Like, really."
Ramirez also spoke about their character, saying they love that Che is "complicated and messy and human".
"Che is a great reminder that even when we don't like someone in our community, they still deserve love, safety and joy like everyone else," they continued.
"But the movement for liberation includes everyone, even people we don't like. This movement, this fight, this party of pride, isn't just for the people who make us feel cozy and cute – it's for everyone."
Pittman plays Dr Nya Wallace, a law-school professor who leaves Miranda racially tongue-tied, and Parker plays Lisa Todd Wexley, an uber-wealthy mother of three.
Unfortunately, season one marked the final appearance of Willie Garson as Carrie's gay BFF, Stanford Blatch. Just two weeks after filming his scenes for the show, Garson died after developing pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
And Just Like That season 2 plot: What's going to happen?
Your guess is as good as ours at this point. But we're guessing there's going to be a touch of sex and a fair amount of New York.
The show has somewhat shifted though, to the leading three women at a new stage of their lives, beyond dating (well, maybe a little bit of dating).
Carrie is also trying to navigate the single life once again after the unexpected loss of Big. Miranda has also re-entered the relationship market with a new boo in tow. Whether Che and Miranda's romance will make it through the lull between seasons one and two is anyone's guess, but either way you know it's going to be dramatic.
After all, this mother has fled to the other side of the country and left her husband for Che... what could possibly go wrong?
Aidan’s return is also likely to throw a spanner in the works. We last saw the character's steamy carpenter in Sex and the City 2 and he and Carrie’s life couldn’t have been more different.
While she was struggling in her marriage to Big, Aidan appeared to have it all together with his family brood of five.
Seemed being the operative word until the two shared a meal and a kiss while abroad leaving Carrie wracked with guilt. Carrie confused, Big forgave and all was well.
While she and Aidan may have chalked up their make-out sesh as a lapse in judgement, who's to say what could occur now that Big is out of the picture?
While Carrie and Miranda's worlds have received a bit of a shake-up, Charlotte's has remained pretty calm. Daughter Rose may have become the gender-non-specific Rock (no labels please – not girl, not boy, not non-binary, not Jewish, not even a New Yorker – they've been very clear) however Charlotte's only concern has remained the welfare of her child. It's possible a subsequent season could throw something unexpected and life-altering her way.
And old-school fans should strap on their manolo blahniks and pour out a pint of Cosmopolitans in celebration, because they’ll be super happy to hear what HBO Max head of originals Sarah Aubrey has to say about the show’s return to its roots.
"What you’re seeing this season is all of these characters embracing life. It’s a very joyful season and I think, in some ways, it feels like iconic Sex and the City episodes," Aubrey said (via Variety).
"Most of all, for Carrie, in particular, in the way her character has always been up for the next adventure or the next love, the next friendship in the city, and you really feel that this season. We’re so excited. I went to the table, I’ve seen the clothes. So I’m voracious, just like everyone."
And Just Like That season 2 trailer: When can I see it?
You'll see it when it actually exists! But do check back in here for any updates. We promise you'll know as soon as we do.
Until then, you can hit that metaphorical rewind button and binge the original Sex and the City seasons, or if you're feeling brave, both those movies on Netflix, to remember a simpler time when Samantha was still actually around.
And Just Like That, the sequel to Sex and the City, airs on HBO Max in the US, Sky Comedy in the UK, and is available to stream on NOW.
