I'm sure you've all heard by now that Kim Cattrall will be reprising her iconic role as the sexually liberated Samantha Jones on the second season of ...And Just Like That.
Well now we have insight into the list of stipulations Kim put out there in order to secure her appearance in the season 2 finale.
According to Page Six, Cattrall refused to film with her former co-stars Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis.
Another demand she had put in place is that she would not film if showrunner — and SJP ally — Michael Patrick King was on the Queens set.
One show source said: “Kim had two stipulations -—one, that she would not act with any of the other girls, and two, she did not want to see Michael Patrick King.”
Cattrall, who is a fan favorite refused to return for a third “SATC” movie amid reports of friction between her and SJP — including the revelation that Cattrall felt she and her co-stars were not financially compensated well enough, with SJP being paid more than them.
Producers dismissed Samantha’s absence in the first few episodes of “AJLT” by making it clear that the character now lives in London and that she and Carrie had a fallout after the writer dumped her as a publicist.
But it was quite obvious her presence was missed during the uneven first season, and fans let it be known on social media.
I just love the fact that Kim ended up getting the last laugh, and not only got all of her demands met (because producers of the show know how popular Samantha's charater is), but I'm sure they backed up the Brinks truck to get her to come back.
“They still need her on the show. But even though this may get fans thinking she’ll be back for the next season, she’ll never do that. She was treated poorly,” the show source said. “I’m glad she gets to be the hero … I’m sure it took a lot of massaging to make the cameo happen.”
In the scene, Samantha is reportedly seen in a car having a phone conversation with Carrie.
A spokesperson for HBO and Max told Page Six: “The offer presented to Kim was always to be a phone call, shot alone as most calls would be. This was an easy and convenient way for Samantha to return. We are delighted it worked out.”
Candace Bushnell, the celebrated writer, and creator of the “SATC” franchise, told Page Six: “I love Kim, everyone loves Kim.
“I’m sure she got paid handsomely … Kim is a grown woman and she does things on her own terms.”
“It’s what the fans want,” the 64-year-old added.
Bushnell who still gets a creator credit for “AJLT,” added: “Listen, I hope this series runs for a long time!”
She has long been a staunch defender of Cattrall and previously told Page Six: “It seems she wants to do other things, and she doesn’t feel like doing the show. Maybe she doesn’t want to be that character anymore. Maybe she doesn’t want to put the Spanx on!”
Cattrall was dressed for her return by the venerable stylist Patricia Field, who was responsible for all the outfits on “SATC.”
Field, 82, has since moved on to styling the looks for Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” created by “SATC” producer Darren Star.
When contacted by Page Six about the latest collaboration with Cattrall, Field — who does not normally work on “And Just Like That” — said: “I love Kim, I loved dressing her, it was so cool. It was a wonderful opportunity.
“She asked for something specific and I provided it. She was doing this one cameo and I did it for her.”
She declined to talk about any of the show drama, adding, “I don’t want to get into the middle of anything.”
Field told the Sunday Times in 2021 that Cattrall’s absence created a “vacuum” on “AJLT,” saying, “I hear it everywhere. Everyone is mad she won’t be in it.”
The stylist passed her baton to Molly Rogers, who formerly worked with Field on “SATC” and now dresses the women of “AJLT.”
“I like some of it, I don’t like all of it, but I know what Molly’s dealing with,” Field told the Times of the new show’s looks.
“Well, I know those gals! Sarah Jessica [Parker] thinks she knows everything — and she does. Cynthia Nixon thinks she knows everything — and she doesn’t!” Field said.
“Even today, when I speak with Molly, it’s about Cynthia. I say, ‘I remember what you are going through!’”
“AJLT” — which streams on the newly renamed Max, formerly HBO Max — is produced by Warner Bros. A studio source told Page Six that Cattrall’s cameo was a “surprise” to many on set, and another person in attendance that day revealed that Cattrall was not on the call sheet at Silvercup Studios in Queens.
Cattrall shot her dialogue on March 22, but when the second season premieres on June 22, you won't see Cattrall's scene until sometime in August.
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