Cynthia Nixon, in a recent interview with Grazia, delved into a nuanced critique of the beloved TV series "Sex and the City." At 59, Nixon confessed that while an impressive 90% of the iconic HBO show still holds up "remarkably well," she felt that "certain aspects have not withstood the test of time with quite the same grace."
"Portraying a character in a predominantly white narrative was always challenging," shared Nixon, who played the role of Miranda Hobbes. "I harbored a deep dislike for that fact," she admitted. "When we brought it up, we were reminded that it was Candace Bushnell's world, and hers was a predominantly white sphere. I accepted it, albeit reluctantly," she added thoughtfully.
Married to Christine Marinoni since 2012, Nixon further revealed that "some of the representations concerning transgender and gay themes felt slightly awkward to revisit."
"Sex and the City," created by Darren Starr and rooted in Bushnell's newspaper column and book, captivated audiences from 1998 to 2004. The franchise expanded into two films in 2008 and 2010, followed by the sequel series "And Just Like That," which brought back Nixon (as Miranda), Sarah Jessica Parker (as Carrie), and Kristin Davis (as Charlotte), alongside a diverse cast including Nicole Ari Parker, Sarita Choudhury, and Karen Pittman.
Despite her critiques, Nixon emphasized that "Sex and the City" remained "undeniably a feminist show—always has been." Reflecting on her years in the series, she explained, "We were in our thirties and forties then. Now, looking back, we seem like mere spring chickens. But being single at that age carried a certain stigma."
"Its core message was revolutionary: 'You can be a woman who enjoys sex with multiple partners. It doesn't brand you as promiscuous or suggest you're using sex to gain something. You're simply having sex—because you love it!'" Nixon added passionately.
Acknowledging that Miranda wasn't initially the most popular among fans (who also adored Kim Cattrall's Samantha), Nixon noted that Miranda was "defined by her career and friendships." "People saw her as overly preachy, forceful, and humorless," Nixon recounted.
However, Nixon believes the tide has turned in Miranda's favor. "What she passionately advocated for has become mainstream wisdom," she shared. "The cultural landscape has shifted to align with Miranda's stance. This shift has been evident in recent history," she continued.
"Certainly, in America and possibly in many parts of the world, we're witnessing a retreat from many of the feminist ideals that Miranda upheld," Nixon lamented.
Season 3 of "And Just Like That" premieres on Thursday on HBO Max.
