
Sex in the City or Sex and the City? Quotes, Feuds & Streaming
Sex and the City commanded 94 episodes and a cultural legacy that outlasted its six-season run, spawning two films, a revival series, and endless debates about Carrie Bradshaw’s love life. The show gave viewers Samantha’s blunt wisdom and Charlotte’s optimism, but behind the camera the dynamics were more complicated — and Irish fans can now stream it through multiple platforms while the Parker-Cattrall feud continues to fuel fan speculation. This guide cuts through the noise with verified facts and cast quotes you can actually trust.
Original Network: HBO ·
Run Years: 1998–2004 ·
Created By: Darren Star ·
Based On: 1996 book by Candace Bushnell ·
Main Character: Carrie Bradshaw
Quick snapshot
- Title is “Sex and the City” per Entertainment.ie
- 94 episodes across 6 seasons on HBO (Entertainment.ie)
- Sarah Jessica Parker played Carrie Bradshaw (Entertainment.ie)
- Kim Cattrall played Samantha Jones (Entertainment.ie)
- Full details on 2025 spin-off plans
- Whether other cast members beyond Parker-Cattrall had disputes
- Exact dates for early salary negotiations
- Parker became exec producer season 2 ($300,000 salary)
- Cattrall skipped And Just Like That… revival
- Feud narrative public since early series days
- And Just Like That… continues on HBO Max
- SATC available on RTE Player, NOW TV in Ireland
- New cast members join the revival
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy-drama |
| Episodes | 94 |
| Seasons | 6 |
| Lead Actress | Sarah Jessica Parker |
| Original Network | HBO |
| Run Period | 1998–2004 |
Is it called Sex in the City or Sex and the City?
Common Misspellings
Search results often show “Sex in the City” as a typo or alternate phrasing, but the official title has always included “and.” The confusion likely stems from the provocative word order and how people reference the show conversationally. Wikipedia lists the series as “Sex and the City,” and every streaming platform uses that exact spelling Entertainment.ie.
Official Title
The show is officially “Sex and the City” — created by Darren Star and based on Candace Bushnell’s 1996 book of the same name. The series ran on HBO from 1998 to 2004, producing 94 episodes across six seasons. When the first movie arrived in 2008 and the sequel in 2010, the “and” remained in both titles.
The implication: if you’re searching for streaming options or episode guides, use the full title with “and” to get accurate results. Leaving it out sends you down a rabbit hole of unrelated content.
What is a famous line from Sex and the City?
Top Quotes from Vogue List
Vogue compiled 25 of the best Sex and the City quotes, capturing the sharp wit and emotional honesty that made the show resonate. Carrie Bradshaw, as voiced by Sarah Jessica Parker, delivered lines that still circulate as dating advice and Instagram captions years later.
“The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.”
— Carrie Bradshaw (Parade)
Iconic Carrie Lines
Carrie’s voice narrated most episodes, offering commentary on love, friendship, and New York City living. Her quotes tended toward self-reflection and dating philosophy. ABC News highlighted one of her most-quoted lines in a dating advice roundup: “Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies” ABC News.
Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, offered a different brand of wisdom — blunt, sex-positive, and often hilarious. ScreenRant compiled her most memorable lines across the series.
“The good ones screw you, the bad ones screw you, and the rest don’t know how to screw you.”
— Samantha Jones (Parade)
“Listen To Me. The Right Guy Is An Illusion. Start Living Your Lives.”
— Samantha Jones (ScreenRant)
The pattern: Carrie philosophized about love while Samantha cut through the fantasy. That contrast between idealist and pragmatist drove much of the show’s emotional tension.
Who was Carrie Bradshaw’s true love?
Mr. Big Role
Mr. Big, played by Chris Noth, served as Carrie Bradshaw’s central love interest throughout the series. He appeared in multiple seasons, the movies, and became the character viewers loved to debate — was he Carrie’s true love or a recurring mistake? The relationship spanned the original run, with their marriage depicted in the first film.
Relationship Timeline
Carrie and Big’s relationship followed a familiar pattern: attraction, complications, temporary breakups, and eventual commitment. In the original series, their dynamic centered on whether Big could truly settle down. The show explored this through seasons of on-again-off-again storylines that kept viewers invested.
Chris Noth’s character also appeared in And Just Like That…, though the revival introduced new complications. Noth later commented publicly on the friendship dynamics within the cast, adding another layer to the show’s legacy Elle.
The catch: “true love” in SATC was never simple. Carrie pursued multiple relationships — with Aidan, Aleksandr Petrovsky, and others — before landing on Big. The show’s honest portrayal of how people grow and change made the final pairing feel earned rather than inevitable.
Where can I watch Sex and the City?
Streaming on Netflix
Availability varies by region. In Ireland, Sex and the City streams on RTE Player and NOW TV, with season-by-season access Entertainment.ie. The original series and both movies appear on different platforms depending on licensing agreements.
Availability in Ireland
Irish viewers have multiple options: RTE Player carries the original series, while NOW TV offers specific seasons and the And Just Like That… revival with a 7-day free trial NOW TV. The revival premiered at 8am Thursday on Sky Comedy in Ireland, with the first two episodes available simultaneously on NOW before shifting to weekly releases EVOKE.
Apple TV offers Sex and the City in GB, which may be accessible in Ireland depending on account settings Apple TV. HBO Max remains the US home base, with the And Just Like That… revival continuing exclusively there.
The implication: Irish fans have solid access through RTE Player and NOW TV, but international visitors may need region-specific accounts. The revival requires NOW TV or Sky subscriptions rather than traditional on-demand services.
Did Samantha and Carrie not get along in real life?
Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall Feud
The reported tension between Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) and Kim Cattrall (Samantha) has been one of the most discussed off-screen stories in TV history. According to Elle’s detailed timeline, rumors of infighting began in the early days of Sex and the City, with friction intensifying as Parker gained executive producer status in season 2 Elle.
Parker received an executive producer title in season 2, increasing her salary to $300,000 per episode — a figure that reportedly prompted Cattrall to negotiate higher pay and created reported friction among cast members.
In a Marie Claire interview, Parker acknowledged that “feelings get hurt” on set, while Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) called reports of adversarial relationships “ludicrous.” Kristin Davis (Charlotte) explained her own habits, like ordering room service, as reasons she sometimes sat separately from Cattrall at mealtimes.
“Was every day perfect? No, but this is a family of people who needed each other.”
— Sarah Jessica Parker, via Howard Stern (Elle)
Parker told Howard Stern that not every day was perfect but emphasized the cast as family. She called the ongoing “catfight” narrative hurtful and preferred to frame the relationships as complicated rather than hostile.
Chris Noth Comments
Chris Noth, who played Mr. Big, commented publicly on the friendship dynamics within the cast. His remarks added to the narrative that something shifted among the core group, particularly as And Just Like That… moved forward without Cattrall’s participation.
“I will not do another Sex and the City movie and was never really friends with co-stars.”
— Kim Cattrall, via Piers Morgan (Elle)
Cattrall’s Piers Morgan interview was blunt: she said she would not do another movie and had never been close friends with her co-stars. The statement directly contradicted Parker’s “family” framing and fueled ongoing debates about what really happened behind the scenes.
What this means: the Parker-Cattrall tension wasn’t a single dramatic breakup but a years-long accumulation of professional disagreements, salary disparities, and different expectations about the show’s legacy. Cattrall’s absence from And Just Like That… cemented the rift publicly.
For fans watching the revival, Samantha’s absence creates a noticeable gap. The show’s chemistry relied heavily on the four-way dynamic, and losing Cattrall required writers to redistribute her screen time among new characters.
Timeline of Key Events
The timeline below maps the major milestones in the show’s production and the public evolution of cast dynamics.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Series premiere on HBO |
| 1999 (Season 2) | Parker becomes exec producer, salary reaches $300,000; reported cast tensions surface |
| 2004 | Series finale after 94 episodes |
| 2008 | First Sex and the City movie release |
| 2010 | Sex and the City 2 sequel film |
| 2021–2022 | And Just Like That… revival airs (Cattrall absent) |
| Recent | Parker-Cattrall feud details continue circulating publicly |
Confirmed Facts vs. Unclear Points
Confirmed
- Title is “Sex and the City” — HBO original series
- Carrie Bradshaw played by Sarah Jessica Parker
- Samantha Jones played by Kim Cattrall
- Series ran 1998–2004 with 94 episodes
- Parker became exec producer in season 2
- Cattrall absent from And Just Like That…
Unclear
- 2025 spin-off details and full cast plans
- Whether other cast members beyond Parker-Cattrall had significant disputes
- Exact timeline for early salary negotiations
- Future of Chris Noth’s character post-And Just Like That…
Notable Quotes from the Cast
“Feelings get hurt on set.”
— Sarah Jessica Parker, Marie Claire interview (Elle)
“Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.”
— Carrie Bradshaw (ABC News)
Summary
Sex and the City earned its place in television history by combining sharp writing, memorable characters, and a willingness to discuss topics other shows avoided. The cast dynamics — particularly the reported Parker-Cattrall tension — added a real-world layer that fans couldn’t ignore. For viewers in Ireland or elsewhere, the original series remains accessible through multiple streaming platforms, while And Just Like That… continues the story without its original fourth lead.
Kim Cattrall’s decision to walk away from the franchise left Sarah Jessica Parker’s revival without its most fearless voice, and that absence still shapes how fans judge the new episodes against the original.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Sex and the City about?
Sex and the City followed New York City writer Carrie Bradshaw and her three friends — Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, and Miranda Hobbes — as they navigated love, friendship, careers, and Manhattan living from 1998 to 2004. The HBO series aired for 94 episodes across six seasons.
Who was supposed to play Carrie Bradshaw?
Sarah Jessica Parker was cast as Carrie Bradshaw from the beginning. She became an executive producer by season 2 and remained the show’s central figure throughout its run. The role was written specifically for Parker based on the character’s voice and comedic timing.
Is there a Sex and the City spin-off?
And Just Like That… premiered on HBO Max in 2021, continuing Carrie Bradshaw’s story into her 50s with new characters joining the cast. Kim Cattrall did not return as Samantha Jones, and the revival has received mixed reactions from original fans.
What is Chris Noth saying about Sarah Jessica Parker?
Chris Noth, who played Mr. Big, commented publicly on the friendship dynamics within the SATC cast. His statements added context to ongoing debates about what happened behind the scenes during the original series and the decision not to return for certain projects.
How many movies are there?
Two Sex and the City films were released: the first in 2008 and the sequel in 2010. Both continued the stories of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda as they navigated relationships and travel. A third film was not made, partly due to reported tensions with Kim Cattrall.
Is Sex and the City on Netflix?
Netflix availability varies by region. In Ireland, the original series streams on RTE Player and NOW TV rather than Netflix. International viewers should check their regional HBO Max, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV listings for current availability.
What are the best episodes?
Fan favorites include the series finale (“The Last Dance”), the Aidan episode, and episodes focusing on Carrie’s column-writing career. Wikiquote catalogs episode-specific quotes that highlight the show’s best writing Wikiquote.