Kim Cattrall makes long-awaited cameo as Samantha Jones in And Just Like That

Kim Cattrall reprises Samantha Jones in the Sex and there City spin-off – and her special appearance reportedly cost the studio seven figures.

Kim Cattrall returns as Samantha Jones on And Just Like That. Picture: Binge

Kim Cattrall made her highly anticipated return to the Sex and the City spin-off, And Just Like That, paving the way for one memorable season finale.

Although reprising her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO spin-off was short and sweet – 71 seconds, to be exact – Cattrall commanded the screen in her signature style on the series which airs locally on Binge.

Samantha was indeed fashionably late – it took two seasons to final get a glimpse of the iconic PR maven – but it was worth the wait. And it has been widely reported that Cattrall was paid a cool $1.56 million for her efforts.

As the fictional plot line goes, Samantha had relocated to London after a falling out with Carrie Bradshaw, who is played by Sarah Jessica Parker.

But the real-life story is that Cattrall was not invited, nor did she want, to star in Season 1 of the spin-off due to her tense relationship with the cast.

Kim Cattrall returned as Samantha Jones on And Just Like That. Picture: Binge

In the scene, Samantha calls Carrie from London. Picture: Binge

It wasn't until this year that the studio asked for Cattrall to return to the series alongside Parker, Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte).

Despite her physical absence, Samantha’s presence was felt throughout both season via text message exchanges with Carrie, in which they try to repair their fractured friendship. But in Thursday night’s season 2 finale, it appears their friendship is back on track – and this time, viewers got to see Cattrall on screen as Samantha.

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Carrie was surprised Samantha was attempting to return to New York. Picture: Binge

Carrie and Samantha had been working on their fractured friendship. Picture: Binge

Calling Carrie from Heathrow Airport in London, Samantha explains that she was due to return to New York but her flight was three hours delayed.
“I won’t be able to make it there in time,” she tells a confused Carrie on the phone, who is preparing for “The Last Supper” with friends in her longtime apartment which she just sold.

“Miranda and Charlotte told me all about it. I was gonna surprise you.”

A delighted Carrie replies: “Oh my gosh, well you did, I’m very surprised.”

Samantha explains that she was just going to fly in, stay one night and then fly back to London the next morning.

“Wait a minute, you were flying all the way to New York for an overnight?” asks an appreciative Carrie.

Samantha only appeared in 71 seconds of the season finale. Picture: Binge

Samantha farewells Carrie’s apartment. Picture: Binge

“Well, it is your apartment, and I have to pay my respects,” Samantha replies, before asking Carrie to put her on speaker and hold up the phone so she can farewell the apartment that holds many memories for the duo.

“Thank you for everything, you f***ing fabulous, fabulous flat,” Samantha gushes.

And just like that, Samantha was gone.

While their onscreen friendship is back, off-screen, the drama between the co-stars continues. When Cattrall’s cameo was first announced in June, it was revealed by Variety that she would film her scenes solo and will have zero involvement with the show’s current cast.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall in the original series.

Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker have had a falling out off-screen. Picture: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

The actress says she is at peace with letting Samantha go for good. Picture: Phillip Massey/Getty Images

And don’t expect Samantha’s special appearance to turn into a regular gig on Season 3.

Despite playing the character for all six seasons in the original SATC series from 1998 to 2004, and appearing in two SATC feature films, Cattrall said this was the last time she would reprise the fan-favourite character.

“This is as far as I’m going to go,” she told the US Today Show recently ahead of her cameo.

“[But] I don’t think I’ll ever say goodbye to Samantha. She’s like a lot of other characters that I’ve done over the years. I get very emotionally attached and protective of my characters. She gave me so much, and I’m so appreciative of her.”

Fans were sad to know that Samantha’s return was a one-night only special. They flocked to social media praising the cameo, while hoping to see more of the beloved PR queen.

we just truly really need samantha back #AndJustLikeThat

— g (@dailyguille) August 24, 2023

Wish they were more scenes with Samantha #AndJustLikeThat

— Sophia reid (@sophiareid69) August 24, 2023

Seeing Samantha was the highlight of the season #AndJustLikeThat that’s the best thing i watched all season!

— 143 🤎 (@KiSolace) August 24, 2023

There she is! Just as Samantha as ever. #AndJustLikeThat#AJLT

— Judson (@JudsonK17) August 24, 2023

Samantha is that friend who would fly over just for the dinner #AndJustLikeThat give her all the money in the world and bring her back.

— Tonya 🎀✨️ (@ton_87L) August 24, 2023

Samantha better be coming back for season three. Don’t just tease me like that.. #AndJustLikeThat

— Cortez (@Tez_92) August 24, 2023

3 minutes of Samantha friggin Jones back on the show and you realize who ran that squad #AndJustLikeThatpic.twitter.com/jcYvseBOjk

— Brunch Betty (@BrunchBetty) August 24, 2023

Yaaasss!!! It's what we've been waiting for, hopefully Season 3 sees our beloved Samantha Jones return! #AndJustLikeThatpic.twitter.com/JBVj5eVeG6

— Kirsten (@Kirsten_85) August 24, 2023

It appears Cattrall’s co-stars will respect her wishes should she choose to retire Samantha for good.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Davis said that she and her cast members will not force relations if it’s simply not working.

“You have to respect people’s wishes. I’m not gonna waste energy on it. I can’t change anybody,” she said.

“I do understand fans’ feelings – that they’re upset … I wish I could fix it, but I can’t. It’s not in my power.”