Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
Even writer and directorMichael Patrick Kingcouldn’t believe the news, which came just ahead ofSex and the Citycelebrating the25th anniversaryof its premiere earlier this month.
In King’s mind, Samantha always existed in the world ofAnd Just Like That….
“I have always had Samantha Jones inAnd Just Like That…,” he says. “In my consciousness and in my writing, in all of her writing, she’s always been in London and texting. I was like, ‘Samantha lives, so let’s keep her alive for me, the writer, for Carrie, for Miranda, for Charlotte and for the audience.’"
King referred to being able to bring Samantha back on screen as “a lovely treat” for both the audience and the cast alike. “It is nostalgic and emotional, and really, in my mind, they’ve been talking all the time,” the two-time Emmy winner says.
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He just wishes it stayed a surprise. “The only bad news is that you know about it,” King says. “Everyone else about this is good news except that you know it’s coming. It would’ve blown your mind!”
Max confirmedCattrall’s return to PEOPLEon May 31, and the next day, Cattrall posted a screengrab of the news on her Instagram. The cameo will come inAJLT’s season 2 finale, when Samantha will reportedly speak to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) on the phone.
For more onAnd Just Like That…, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.
Evan Handler, who plays Charlotte’s (Kristin Davis) husband Harry Goldenblatt, calledCattrall’s appearance “great” to PEOPLEearlier this month.
“Apparently, [her cameo] was shot in the garage somewhere with no contact with anybody, so the only place I have to welcome her is into my living room when it airs on television,” quipped Handler, 62.
Ivan Hernandez —And Just Like That…’s Franklyn — also felt excited about Samantha’s return. “I think it’s something that the fans all wanted and missed,” hetold PEOPLE. “She’s such great character, so I can’t wait to see it myself.”
Not only hasAnd Just Like That…kept the spirit of Samantha alive in her absence, it’s done the same with Stanford Blatch after actorWillie Garsondied in 2021 at age 57.
CHANCE YEH /getty
“I think that’s important once characters are established that,” King says. “When a circumstance is handed [to] you that is tragic and less than ideal, you can still keep these fictional people alive in spite of the fact that Willie’s gone.”
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And Just Like That…season 2 premieres Thursday on Max.
source: people.com
