Candace Bushnell Responds to Kim Cattrall’s ‘Sex And The City’ Franchise Return

Kim Cattrall’s critically acclaimed cameo “And Just Like That” is unlikely to air until Augustbut author Candace Bushnell is already planning to tune in.

Bushnell – who wrote the original “Sex and the City” column for the New York Observer, which became a column in 1996 book anthology on which the original HBO series was based – praised Cattrall’s surprise decision to appear in Max’s revival, And Just Like That, in two interviews commemorating the franchise’s 25th anniversary this week.

“When I heard the news, I was happy and surprised,” Bushnell said Page Six of the New York Post on Tuesday. “The fans love Kim and I think it’s going to be great for the show. A part was missing. She was an important part of that circle of friends.”

She added: “I think it’s going to be a great season. I’m happy that Kim will continue there. I think it’s probably the best thing about the show. A lot of people miss Samantha.”

Cattrall stunned fans last week by confirmation She will reprise her role as sex-positive public relations expert Samantha Jones in the season 2 finale of And Just Like That.

The actor’s portrayal of Samantha in all six seasons of “Sex and the City” and both feature films made her a series favorite. However, after the release of the second film repeatedly sworn never hand back to the franchise amid reports from a behind-the-scenes feud with co-star Sarah Jessica Parker.

While long-time SATC viewers should be excited about Cattrall’s return, her appearance on And Just Like That will be limited to a single scene — at least for now is assumed to happen in a city car. The scene was reportedly filmed in a New York City parking garage without the presence of And Just Like That showrunner Michael Patrick King or Cattrall’s former co-stars Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Parker.

For her part, Bushnell appears to remain on good terms with Cattrall. The author met with writer-producer Darren Star and fashion designer Patricia Field, who both worked on Sex and the City but were not involved with And Just Like That, at Variety’s Power of Women event last year, honored where Cattrall was present.

Speaking of to diversity On Tuesday, Bushnell acknowledged that Cattrall’s return was very much “a business decision, as is always the case with these kinds of things.” Still, she remains enthusiastic, adding, “Her character represented a lot of freedom and permission for women.”

Elsewhere in her Page Six chat, Bushnell said she’s also excited about the return of actor John Corbett, who reprises his role as Aidan Shaw, the former fiancé of Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw. Corbett’s character history appears to be significantly more extensive on the show than Cattrall’s, and his performance has been touted on the show latest trailer.

“It’s so real to me,” Bushnell said. “It’s like having an ex-boyfriend come back into your life. It’s the one that escaped, so I find that interesting.”