Sarah Jessica Parker ‘did not want to do’ Sex and the City, says author Candace Bushnell

Words: Will Stroude; Image: HBO Max

Sarah Jessica Parker “did not want to do” Sex and the City after filming the original pilot for the beloved TV drama series, according to the author of the book that inspired the series, Candace Bushnell.

Bushnell, 63, revealed on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast that show star Parker was not sold on continuing with the series after shooting the first episode.

“SJP did not want to do it, right? So after she shot the pilot, she did not want to do it. And I remember that vaguely,” the Bushnell recalled.

“And I think at one point they were saying that I should have played the part. And now I’m like, ‘Yeah, I should’ve played the part!’ But then they convinced her to do it.”

Thankfully Parker did choose to stay with the show, which would go on to become one of the most beloved TV dramas of the late-90s and early 00s and spawn two big-screen movie sequels as well as the current HBO Max spin-off, And Just Like That.

And Just Like That, which airs on Sky Comedy and NOW in the UK, has divided critics and audiences since it debuted on TV last month – notably without Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones following Cattrall’s refusal to return to the franchise and public falling-out with Parker.

Asked whether you can have a true Sex and the City reboot without the character of Samantha, Bushnell responded: “I mean, it’s a spin-off so I think they can kind of do whatever they want to do. And also, they’re going to do it.

“I mean come on, if HBO did not do a reboot of Sex and the City, you’d be like ‘come on guys’, you’ve got to be kidding, this is a huge franchise for you’. I mean, it’s one of their big properties. I know how much money they’ve made off it because I get the statements.

“You know, these are big, big properties for them that they’re going to exploit. That’s just business.”

And Just Like That continues Thursdays at 9pm on Sky Comedy and NOW in the UK.