Judging from its title you’d think the Sex And The City follow-up was a tribute to the late Tommy Cooper: And Just Like That…
Anyone hoping to see the comedian dropping into Carrie Bradshaw and company’s world of cocktails and Louboutins will be disappointed, however.
Which is a shame because Cooper could have filled in for the absent Kim Cattrall.
She of course played the voracious Samantha but Cattrall’s iconic character will not be joining writer Carrie, socialite Charlotte or no-nonsense lawyer Miranda in the revival of the celebrated comedy drama.
The mystery as to Samantha’s whereabouts has been solved; she’s off screen in London.
Which is convenient considering Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker (who plays Carrie) aren’t exactly best friends.
Parker, as the star, received a higher wage than the other cast members and Cattrall, it was reported, asked for more.
This led to an alleged falling out with the rest of the cast; at the 2004 Emmys the three other cast members sat together while Police Academy star Cattrall was at a different table.
“Are we the best of friends?” she said. “No. We’re professional actresses. We have our own separate lives.”
Parker wrote a message of condolence on Cattrall’s Instagram page in 2018 after the death of her brother; it did not go down well.
“You are not my family,” she replied. “You are not my friend. So I’m writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your ‘nice girl’ persona.”
There’s not been much in the way of interviews with the cast to ask them if the door is open for Samantha to return.
Casey Bloys, content officer for HBO, which is making And Just Like That…, explained how the reboot would focus on the three friends in their 50s.
“They’re trying to tell an honest story about being a woman in her 50s in New York,” he added.
“So it should all feel somewhat organic, and the friends that you have when you’re 30, you may not have when you’re 50.
“Just as in real life, people come into your life, people leave. Friendships fade, and new friendships start.”
The actors have also been quick to point out some of the comments about their appearance for the sequel series; comments that wouldn’t be aimed at cast members of, say, The Sopranos.
“There’s so much misogynist chatter in response to us that would never. Happen. About. A. Man,” said Parker.
And Just Like That…, Sky Comedy, Thursday, 9pm
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