Sex and the City
Series about four female friends in New York City.
Taylor Dahlin · CC BY 4.0
Sex and the City, an American romantic comedy-drama, was created by Darren Star for HBO. It draws from Candace Bushnell’s newspaper column and her 1996 book of the same name. The show first aired in the U.S. on June 6, 1998, and its final episode ran on February 22, 2004. Across six seasons, 94 episodes were broadcast. The story centers on four women friends in New York City: Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), a streetwise columnist; Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), a sexually open PR professional; Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), a more conservative art dealer; and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), a cynical lawyer.
The series drew both praise and criticism for its characters and themes, and it is often credited with boosting HBO’s popularity. It earned numerous awards, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Entertainment Weekly ranked it fifth on its “New TV Classics” list, and it has been called one of the best television series ever. The show airs in syndication worldwide.
Two feature films followed: Sex and the City (2008) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). A prequel series, The Carrie Diaries, aired on the CW from 2013 to 2014. A sequel series, And Just Like That..., premiered on HBO Max on December 9, 2021, without Cattrall.
The show is based on Bushnell’s column in The New York Observer, later compiled into a book. Bushnell has said in interviews that Carrie Bradshaw in her columns is her alter ego. She originally wrote from a first-person perspective but later invented Carrie, presented as a friend, so her parents wouldn’t realize they were reading about her own sex life. Both Bushnell and the TV version of Carrie—who had no last name in the column—share the same initials, highlighting their link. Like Bushnell, Carrie writes columns for the fictional New York Star, which are later compiled into a book within the series, and she eventually becomes a writer for Vogue.
Bushnell worked with television producer Darren Star, whom she had met while profiling him for Vogue, to adapt the columns for TV. Both HBO and ABC showed interest, but Star chose HBO for its creative freedom. Star wrote the pilot with Sarah Jessica Parker in mind for Carrie. According to Parker, “I was flattered but didn’t want to do it.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Romantic comedy / Comedy drama / Sex comedy
- Creator
- Darren Star
- Showrunner
- Darren Star / Michael Patrick King
- Based On
- Sex and the City · Candace Bushnell
- Starring
- Sarah Jessica Parker / Kim Cattrall / Kristin Davis / Cynthia Nixon
- Narrator
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Theme Music Composer
- Douglas J. Cuomo / Tom Findlay
- Open Theme
- "Sex and the City Theme"
- Composer
- Douglas J. Cuomo (1998–1999) / Bob Christianson (2000–2004)
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 6
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The show is based on Candace Bushnell's column 'Sex and the City' published in The New York Observer, later compiled into a book. Bushnell collaborated with television producer Darren Star to adapt the columns for television. Both HBO and ABC expressed interest, but Star chose HBO for creative freedom. The pilot was shot in June 1997, a year before the series premiered. Sarah Jessica Parker initially disliked the pilot and offered to work on three HBO movies unpaid to be released from her contract, but Star refused and made significant changes before shooting the first season.
The series received both acclaim and criticism for its characters and themes and is credited with helping to increase HBO's popularity. It won numerous accolades including seven Primetime Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Reader's Guide
Sex and the City is significant for its portrayal of four female friends navigating life, love, and careers in New York City, and for helping to establish HBO's reputation for original programming. The series used its Sunday night slot, alongside The Sopranos, to create a popular lineup of prestige dramas and comedies. Its influence extends to fashion, language, and the depiction of women's sexuality on television. The show's legacy includes multiple film sequels and a sequel series, though the latter did not include Kim Cattrall. The series remains in syndication worldwide and is frequently cited among the best television series of all time, despite also receiving criticism for its characters and themes.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sex and the City about?
It is an HBO romantic comedy-drama that tracks the friendships, romances, and everyday adventures of four single women living in Manhattan. The series was created by Darren Star and ran from 1998 through 2004.
Who are the four main characters?
The core group consists of Carrie Bradshaw, a sharp-tongued columnist; Samantha Jones, a fearless PR executive; Charlotte York, a traditional-minded art dealer; and Miranda Hobbes, a no-nonsense lawyer. Each woman brings a distinct personality that drives the show's dynamics.
How many seasons and episodes does the series have?
Sex and the City spans six seasons totaling 94 episodes. It debuted on June 6, 1998, and aired its final installment on February 22, 2004.
What happens in the series finale?
Carrie and Mr. Big ultimately reconcile after their long, turbulent relationship and tie the knot in an elaborate wedding. The episode closes with all four friends gathered together, reflecting on how far they have come since the first season.
Where did the idea for the show come from?
Darren Star adapted the concept from Candace Bushnell's widely read newspaper column and her 1996 book, both of which chronicled the social and romantic lives of single women in New York. HBO greenlit the project, turning Bushnell's observations into a six-season television series.
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