Why Cynthia Nixon was ‘reluctant’ to appear in Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That

Cynthia Nixon has revealed why she nearly said no to playing Miranda again and what Sarah Jessica Parker did to change her mind.

Cynthia Nixon was very nearly the road block to a rebooted Sex and the City series hitting our screens.

When old friend Sarah Jessica Parker first called the actor with the idea, she admits she held serious reservations about stepping back into Miranda’s stilettos.

“It was a very hard decision. I really didn’t think I was going to do it – I was very reluctant. But the more I talked to Sarah Jessica, [writer-creator] Michael Patrick King, and Kristin [Davis], about the things that I couldn’t go back without – a real sea change in terms of the lack of diversity in the original series, they were on board,” Nixon told News Corp from her New York home.

Cynthia Nixon and Sarah Jessica Parker have known each other since they were both 12 years old. Picture: GC Images

“I was floored by how hard everybody listened, and how collaboratively we worked together to, not just redecorate the house, but to build a whole new house – that had us in it but new characters, too.”

As such, And Just Like That has a raft of new characters, and those most rarest of TV types – women in their 50s.

“The characters are 55 so they’re in menopause. And menopause is the punchline of a lot of jokes and certainly has its unpleasant aspects. But it’s a time when women have spent decades looking after other people and can again focus on themselves: who am I? Who do I want to be?”

Nixon also revealed that being part of a TV series that has become such a cultural touchstone across the globe had its pros and cons.

Miranda and Steve’s relationship revolves around Netflix and desserts. Picture: HBO/Binge

“I’m very proud of the original series – despite it being occasionally tone deaf on race and gender – and being Miranda has opened up so many amazing roles for me over the years, but the further I get away from Miranda, the better they get, because people have stopped thinking of me as just that one character,” Nixon said.

“But Sex and the City gave me an adult career. And I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon on the New York set of And Just Like That. Picture: GC Images

Nixon’s co-star Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte on the show, agreed.

“The show has given me so much – it’s given me stability in my life in so many ways that I’m able to give to my children, which as an actor I’m infinitely grateful for,” Davis said from her home in Los Angeles.

“And it’s given me a creative connection with my sisters that you never get as an actor where you get to work together for 20-something years. It’s the gift that keeps on giving forever and ever.”

And Just Like That … continues on BINGE with new weekly episodes each Thursday at 7pm AEDT.

Originally published as Why Cynthia Nixon was ‘reluctant’ to appear in Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That