Key Points

Kim Cattrall initially turned down the role of Samantha Jones four times due to concerns about playing a sexually confident character at 41. She later embraced the part, calling 40 "sexy" and celebrating Samantha's bold personality. Though different from her character, Cattrall cherishes the role that defined her career. She made a brief return as Samantha in And Just Like That despite skipping the full revival.

Key Points: Kim Cattrall Initially Rejected Sex and the City Role 4 Times

  • Cattrall hesitated over age concerns at 41
  • Called her reluctance "self-inflicted ageism"
  • Said Samantha enjoyed life on her terms
  • Expressed gratitude for the defining role
2 min read

Kim Cattrall reveals why she initially turned down 'Sex and the City' role

Kim Cattrall reveals she turned down Samantha Jones role due to "self-inflicted ageism" before embracing the iconic Sex and the City character.

"40 became sexy. It became, 'Man, let's have more of that' – Kim Cattrall"

Washington, June 15

Kim Cattrall, the actress behind the iconic character Samantha Jones in HBO's 'Sex and the City,' recently opened up about her initial hesitation to take on the role.

As per Deadline, in a candid conversation, Cattrall shared that she turned down the part not once, not twice, but four times before finally agreeing to join the show.

Her reason? "Self-inflicted ageism," stemming from her concerns about playing a sexually confident character at the age of 41.

Cattrall explained that her mindset shifted over time, and she eventually came to realise that 40 could indeed be "alluring".

"Well, that changed. 40 became sexy. It became, 'Man, let's have more of that,'" she said, reflecting on her decision to join the show, as quoted by Deadline.

Cattrall's portrayal of Samantha Jones, a character known for her unapologetic attitude toward sex and relationships, became a defining role in her career.

Cattrall described Samantha as a woman who enjoyed life on her own terms, and said, "She wasn't a nymphomaniac, well, some people might have thought she was, but she was just enjoying the main course. Everyone else was nibbling on the appetisers when she was going for the steak. And it was always on her terms, that I always insisted on."

Despite the character's bold personality, Cattrall noted that she is the antithesis of Samantha in many ways, identifying herself as a "serial monogamist."

Cattrall expressed her gratitude for having played Samantha Jones, and said, "I created a fantastic character that I loved, and I put a lot of love in it. And if I'm remembered only for that, then that's really OK."

The show, which aired from 1998 to 2004, has had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous spin-offs, including 'The Carrie Diaries' and 'And Just Like That...,' the latter of which premiered on HBO Max in 2021.

Although Cattrall chose not to reunite with her co-stars in 'And Just Like That...,' she did make a special appearance in the season 2 finale, reprising her role as Samantha Jones.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
It's refreshing to hear about an actress embracing her age with such confidence! In India, we often see actresses disappear after 35. Samantha Jones broke so many stereotypes - wish we had more such bold characters in Indian shows too! 🌟
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Rahul S.
Interesting how she initially hesitated due to age concerns. In Indian entertainment, we rarely see women over 40 in lead romantic roles. Maybe we need our own version of Samantha Jones to challenge these norms!
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Ananya M.
While I appreciate her honesty, I wonder if such openly sexual characters would work in Indian shows. Our society is still quite conservative about these matters. Though I must say, Samantha's confidence was inspiring in many ways!
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Vikram J.
The show was way ahead of its time! I remember watching it secretly in college with friends - we'd never admit we liked a "girls' show" 😂 But Samantha was everyone's favorite character. Kim nailed that role!
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Sunita R.
As someone who watched SATC in my 40s, I related so much to Samantha's journey. Indian women are often told their best years are behind them after marriage. This character showed that life can be fabulous at any age!
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Arjun P.
Respect to Kim for being honest about her initial doubts. Though I feel the show sometimes went overboard with the sexual content, Samantha's character did bring important conversations about women's agency to mainstream TV.

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