When it comes to television’s most talked-about relationships, Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big from Sex and the City stand out as one of the most complex, messy, and captivating. Over six seasons, two feature films, and the recent revival And Just Like That, audiences have followed the turbulent journey of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Big (Chris Noth) – a relationship that veered between heartfelt romance and emotional chao (let’s face it, mostly the latter).
In a recent interview on And Just Like That season 3, Sarah Jessica Parker candidly reflected on what it was like to portray this iconic on-screen couple, especially in light of Big’s unexpected and tragic death in the reboot’s first season. “Big dying was really, really hard to do both professionally and personally,” she shared. “That’s not just a thread. It’s one of the main arteries that you would struggle to do without. It was really sad to say goodbye to that.”
Carrie and Big’s relationship was never straightforward. Sarah Jessica described it as “a mess” but also “wonderful” – romantic and disastrous, destructive and healthy all at once. But it was this exact duality that perfectly captured why their love story resonated with viewers for over two decades – it was authentic in its imperfections, reflecting the real ups and downs all relationships go through.
Addressing The Toxicity Debate And Controversies
Despite the enduring appeal of Carrie and Big’s relationship (for some – others are team Aiden all the way), it has also been widely criticised, with many fans and commentators labelling it as “toxic.” Sarah Jessica Parker acknowledged these criticisms openly: “All of it was a mess, and all of it was wonderful. It was romantic, and it was a disaster. It was destructive, and it was healthy.”
The controversy surrounding the character of Big intensified when actor Chris Noth faced sexual assault allegations in 2021, which he has denied. The allegations sparked a public response from Sarah Jessica and her And Just Like That co-stars Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, who expressed support for the women who came forward while condemning the alleged behaviour.
Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda, has also used the platform to critique Sex and the City for its lack of diversity and some outdated storylines. Speaking to Grazia, she admitted, “It was always very difficult being on a show that was so white. I always hated that.” She highlighted that some of the show’s portrayals of LGBTQ+ and trans characters felt cringeworthy by today’s standards. These candid reflections underscore how Sex and the City – while groundbreaking in many ways – also mirrored the cultural blind spots of its era.
Saying Goodbye To Carrie’s Defining Chapter
The death of Mr. Big in And Just Like That marked an end to a defining chapter in Carrie Bradshaw’s story. Sarah Jessica Parker described the experience as emotionally challenging but also meaningful. “It’s not like I needed it for my own health or wellbeing, but that was a hugely wonderful story to tell for a lot of years,” she said.
