To be on Instagram is to feel like Sex and the City never ended. The platform might not have existed during the show’s glory days—it debuted four months after SATC 2 hit movie theaters—but it’s long held a nostalgic place in its heart for memes about Carrie’s relationships and throwbacks to the cast’s fashion. And ever since the January announcement of HBO Max’s And Just Like That…, Instagram has became the go-to spot for show intel. Major cast announcements, @deuxmoi sightings of the production in progress, and set photos have given fans unprecedented access.
Case in point: In recent days, Instagram unveiled the first photos of Big and Carrie’s reunion, plus a possible preview of Samantha’s replacement. Here’s a recap of those recent happenings—and our analysis of what it all means.
Has the Show Solved Its Samantha Problem?
Ever since Kim Cattrall declined to participate in the Sex and the City revival, questions about her absence have persisted. An answer to those queries might have been provided by an August 16 Instagram post. For the first time since filming began, Sarah Jessica Parker shared a photo of herself as part of a foursome once more. Alongside SJP, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon is new cast member Nicole Ari Parker, who joined the show in July as Lisa Todd Wexley.
Not much is known about Wexley, other than her job as a documentarian, Park Avenue address, and role as a mother of three with husband Herbert Wexley, played by Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson. But one could certainly picture this quartet trading dating war stories at Sunday brunch.
Who’s New and Who’s Back?
And Just Like That… will be populated with a lineup of show veterans and newbies. But the announcements of said cast members on social media are clearly strategic. New additions Parker, Sara Ramirez, Karen Pittman, and Sarita Choudhury have all been confirmed on the official @justlikethatmax Instagram account. That’s also been the case for returning leading men Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, Mario Cantone, and Evan Handler. Since then, tantalizing photos of the cast have been posted on Instagram.
Conspicuously missing from the revival’s Instagram is Bridget Moynahan, who has twice been spotted reprising her role as Big’s ex-wife Natasha. Despite her headline-making appearance alongside SJP on the show’s set, And Just Like That… hasn’t officially confirmed her presence. The same is true of John Corbett, who claimed he “might be in quite a few” episodes as Aidan back in April.
These omissions become even more curious when one considers the recent announcement of Julie Halston’s return as Bitsy Von Muffling, a character who only appeared in two episodes. What gives, @justlikethatmax?
The Big-and-Carrie of It All
True to form, Mr. Big’s presence in the revival has caused the biggest stir. The on-off nature of his and Carrie’s relationship begged the question: Are these two crazy kids still together? Between the apparent return of Natasha and a juicy script leak from Page Six, rumors swirled that this couple could be over. A bit of reported dialogue from Carrie: “I was taping the podcast, I was washing my hair. Yes, I wasn’t eating or sleeping, but at least I felt good about my marriage. Now I’m just one of the wives he was taking care of?” In short, things weren’t looking good for Mr. and Mrs. Preston.
Then came a pair of romantic Instagram posts from Parker and Noth in early August. “These 2. I bet they stay out late tonight,” SJP captioned a photo of the costars gazing lovingly at each other.
In what might have been another attempt to throw us off the scent, Noth shared a snap of him and Parker in bed, writing, “Just like the old days!”
Is this evidence that Big and Carrie are happily betrothed—or a sign that the speculation was right all along? Anyone else remember when set photos of Samantha in a wedding dress were used as a bait-and-switch tactic?
Carrie’s Forever 21 Fiasco
Just as Instagram has fueled theories about plotlines, it has also settled an important fashion controversy. Many viewers were scandalized when a fan-created Instagram devoted to the revival’s costumes originally claimed that part of one of Carrie’s ensembles was from fast fashion retailer Forever 21. Vogue reported that the designer-label-loving character accessorized her bargain dress with a Gucci x Balenciaga Hourglass bag and Terry DeHavilland platform sandals.