Why isn't Samantha in 'And Just Like That'—an update on what's going on

When news of the Sex and the City reboot hit, fans asked, "Why isn't Samantha in And Just Like That?"

It was difficult to imagine the iconic quartet dwindling down to a trio, but the animosity between Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) proved irreparable. The real and fictional friendship breakup felt permanent. 

"Magically thinking, it’s great to have Samantha [but] I have no realistic expectation of Kim Cattrall ever appearing again," And Just Like That's executive producer, writer and director Michael Patrick King told Varietyin 2022. 

So fans adapted. Now, And Just Like That season 2 has hit Max as of Thursday, June 22, and everyone was getting accustomed to life without the PR maven, but has the unthinkable happened?

Why isn't Samantha in 'And Just Like That': an update

Originally, Cattrall wouldn't reprise her role as Samantha Jones due to the very public conflict that she had with Parker. 

“It’s a great wisdom to know when enough is enough,” Cattrall told Variety. “I also didn’t want to compromise what the show was to me. The way forward seemed clear.”

She had even suggested that her role be recast and suggested a woman of color to take her place; allegedlly Vanessa Williams was in the running as a contender. Then, however, several weeks ahead of the sophomore installment's premiere, a rumor began: Is Kim Cattrall returning to And Just Like That?

Yes, Samantha Jones will make a cameo, but she will not be featured in the second season's entirety. She will appear in one scene in the final episode, which streams on Thursday, August 25. In late March, Variety reported that Cattrall allegedlly filmed in New York City, but was not around her former co-stars when she did. 

It might not be what true SATC had wanted, but it's definitely something. 

Where was Samantha in 'And Just Like That' season 1?

The character's absence was explained by a wistful reasoning: the four friends simply grew apart. (Perish the thought.) 

In an interview with TV Line, HBO Max content chief Casey Bloys said: "Just as in real life, people come into your life, people leave. Friendships fade, and new friendships start. So I think it is all very indicative of the real stages, the actual stages of life." 

The new reboot, which comprised of 10 half-hour episodes, is "very much a story about women in their 50s, and they are dealing with things that people deal with in their 50s,“ Bloys continued. "The friends that you have when you're 30, you may not have when you're 50."

It was a difficult transition for fans, to be sure.

What happened between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall?

Cattrall’s refusal to join the revival was upsetting, but not shocking. Rumors of an alleged feud between Cattrall and series star Sarah Jessica Parker have milled around for years. When word hit that a third SATC film may be in the works, Cattrall shut that buzz down fast, telling Piers Morgan in 2017: "Me playing her, that I can assure you will never happen. For me it’s over, it’s over with no regrets." 

Parker and fellow costars Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis all signed on to slip back into their Manolo's for the reboot. The three actresses teased the new series back in January, posting a cheeky promo video across their respective social media channels. When fans expressed disappointment on Instagram that Cattrall’s Samantha wouldn’t be returning, Parker responded: ”We will [miss her] too. We loved her so. X”

Perhaps this small step is one that's closer to a new beginning for everyone's favorite (fictional) New Yorkers? Here's hoping.

And Just Like That... season 2 is now streaming on MAX. The first two episodes dropped on Thursday, June 22, and the remainder will be released on Thursdays through August 25.