Sara Ramirez reveals ‘massive crush’ on Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Ramirez grew up “obsessed” with Sarah Jessica Parker and was a “major fan” of Sex and the City. Now the actor talks about scoring a major role on the reboot.

Sara Ramirez remembers watching Sarah Jessica Parker on the short-lived 80s sitcom Square Pegs and being “completely obsessed” with the star.

“I had a huge crush on Sarah Jessica Parker growing up,” Ramirez said. “Just out of control.”

So, when Ramirez was cast as Che, a nonbinary, bisexual podcaster and stand-up comedian, on And Just Like That, Sex and the City’s “new chapter”, the actor was “beyond elated and thrilled”.

“I was beside myself when I got to meet her; I told her, ‘I’ve had a crush on you forever!’” Ramirez told News Corp via Zoom.

Sara Ramirez “had a crush” on Sarah Jessica Parker growing up. Picture: HBO/Binge

“And she was so kind about it. I was trying not to get all fanlike, but I told her, ‘Look, if I told you how much I love your work, we would be standing here for hours.’”

Ramirez who, like Che, identifies as nonbinary and bisexual, plays Carrie’s new boss.

The 46-year-old, who starred for 11 seasons as bisexual doctor Callie Torres on the enduring and wildly popular hospital drama Greys Anatomy, says Che is a step forward for LGBTQ+ representation within the Sex and the City universe.

“The original show had a very particular queer representation and we’re expanding that now with the introduction of Che Diaz,” Ramirez said.

“I think it’s important for people to remember that the LGBTQ+ community is an expansive community. With this representation we are also making space to question ourselves.”

Things are about to get interesting between Che (Sara Ramirez) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon).Picture: HBO/Binge

Ramirez said that the original series pushed the envelope in a lot of different areas, particularly in its representation of women.

“I loved the relationships between the women – that life is not over after 40, whether you’re queer or cisgender or straight or gay or trans or bisexual. Life is not linear and it’s OK not to have the answers all the time. And I loved how it was sexually empowering for me at that time,” Ramirez said.

“And it also spoke to a sense of purpose and how one goes about that in such a dynamic city. And the fashions – the fashions were stunning to look at. The show was captivating for so many reasons for me. So, I was a fan of the show.”

And Just Like That, they’re back. Picture: HBO/Binge

Ironically, when Ramirez began pursuing an acting career in New York post-university, scoring a role on Sex and the City was a major focus.

“Back in the late 90s, and early 2000s, I dreamt about guest starring on the show,” Ramirez said.

“I would’ve played a tree – anything. I didn’t care what the role was, I just wanted to be on the show and when the series came to an end, I thought, ‘OK, well, there goes that dream.’

“So to be actually working on the show and with Sarah Jessica Parker is literally a dream come true for me.”

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