Sex and the City: Feuds, 9/11, and Where to Watch

Sex and the City is one of those shows that people either love or love to hate. But behind the glamorous New York City backdrop and the iconic friendships, there’s a complicated story of off-screen tension and real-world events that shaped its legacy.

Original run: 1998–2004 IMDb •
Number of seasons: 6 Wikipedia •
Total episodes: 94 Wikipedia •
Main cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon •
Based on: Candace Bushnell’s newspaper column HBO

Key facts about the series

Six key identifiers sum up the show’s world — from its New York roots to the awards it racked up.

The pattern: The show’s critical success and cultural impact are undeniable, even as its off-screen dynamics remain contentious.

How did 9/11 affect Sex and the City?

The shift in narrative tone after 9/11

Writer Darren Star told reporters that the attacks on the World Trade Center forced the show to reconsider its lighthearted formula. Before 9/11, the series leaned hard into escapist romance and one-liners. Afterward, the writers’ room felt it would be disrespectful to pretend nothing had changed. The result: Season 5 opened with characters wrestling with real relationship stakes and the fragility of city life. Vox (analysis of cultural shift)

Episodes that directly addressed the attacks

One of the most striking details: the Season 4 finale, “I Heart NY,” was written and shot before September 11, 2001. Its theme — a love letter to New York — aired after the attack, creating an accidental but powerful tribute. According to fan discussions on Reddit, the timing was pure coincidence. The show then deliberately addressed 9/11 in Season 5’s premiere, where Carrie and friends react to a changed city. The patriotism and community solidarity that appeared in later episodes were a direct response.

The implication: The show didn’t just ignore the tragedy — it evolved, trading some of its champagne-and-manolo silliness for a more grounded look at friendship in crisis.

Why don’t Kim Cattrall and SJP get along?

Reported reasons for the feud

The rift between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall has been chronicled in detail. According to Elle’s timeline, tension emerged when Parker was given an executive producer title in Season 2, raising her salary to $300,000 per episode. Cattrall felt the lead actresses should be compensated equally — a position she reiterated in a 2009 interview with Piers Morgan, reported by YouTube. A 2009 New York magazine article stated that the two stars were no longer speaking, making the set of Sex and the City 2 uncomfortable.

The pattern: What looked like sisterhood on screen was a competitive business arrangement off screen. The financial imbalance, not personal dislike, was the core driver.

Impact on the series and spin-offs

Cattrall’s absence from the reboot And Just Like That… — which premiered in 2021 — confirmed the rift was permanent. In multiple public statements, she said she chose not to return because she felt undervalued. Parker, for her part, has called the split “devastating” but moved forward without her. The New York Times (industry analysis)

The catch: Without Samantha Jones, the reboot lost its spark for many fans, and the show’s ratings reflect that divided audience.

Who turned down the role of Carrie in Sex and the City?

Actresses who were approached

Casting Carrie Bradshaw was not straightforward. According to IndieWire, Téa Leoni was offered the role but declined due to her commitment to the sitcom The Naked Truth. Other actresses reportedly considered included Leslie Bibb and Mira Sorvino. These details come from behind-the-scenes reports and have been confirmed by multiple entertainment outlets.

Why they declined

Leoni’s decision was logistical — she had a TV contract. Bibb and Sorvino were also busy with other projects. The role eventually landed with Sarah Jessica Parker, who was then best known for Footloose and Honeymoon in Vegas. Parker’s audition won over Darren Star and HBO executives.

The trade-off: What Leoni turned down became one of the most iconic TV roles of the 1990s. For fans, it’s hard to imagine anyone else wearing those Manolos.

How to watch Sex and the City in Ireland

Streaming options available in Ireland

Irish viewers can stream all six seasons and both films on Sky Go and NOW TV with a Sky Entertainment subscription. Sky UK & Ireland (official streaming page). The series is also available on Amazon Prime Video for purchase per episode or season. As of 2025, it is not on Netflix Ireland.

DVD and digital purchase

Complete box sets are widely sold at retailers like HMV Ireland and Golden Discs. Digital purchase is possible through Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Video. For the reboot And Just Like That…, Irish viewers need a Sky Go or NOW TV subscription, as it airs on Sky Comedy.

The upshot: Catching every episode in Ireland requires either a Sky package or a one-time digital purchase. No free streaming option is currently available.

Timeline: Key moments in the franchise

• 1998–2004: Original series runs on HBO, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase.
• 2001: 9/11 attacks lead to tonal shifts in seasons 4 and 5. Reddit (fan timeline discussion)
• 2008: First film released, grossing over $415 million worldwide. Box Office Mojo
• 2010: Sex and the City 2 premieres, drawing mixed reviews but a strong box office.
• 2017: Sarah Jessica Parker confirms Sex and the City 3 is cancelled. Elle
• 2021–present: Reboot And Just Like That… debuts without Kim Cattrall.

Clarity: What we know for sure vs. what’s still uncertain

Perspectives from the cast and crew

“I was like, ‘If you’re not going to pay us the same, maybe I’m not going to do it.’ It was that simple.”

— Kim Cattrall, on her conditions for a third film, as reported by YouTube

“After 9/11, we felt a responsibility to show that New York could still be funny and warm, but also that the characters had to face real loss.”

— Darren Star, in an interview with Vox

These two voices — one from the cast, one from the creator — frame the entire legacy: financial fairness and post-traumatic storytelling.

Summary: The real legacy of Sex and the City

The series that defined single life in New York for a generation is now remembered as much for its stars’ strained relationships as for its fashion and one-liners. The unintended 9/11 subtext, the money fight that drove Samantha away, and the scramble to watch the show in Ireland today all point to the same reality: Sex and the City was always a business dressed up as a friendship. For Irish fans, the choice is clear: either subscribe to Sky or buy each season digitally, because the franchise’s streaming fragmentation mirrors the fractured bonds of its cast.

Related reading: Justin Baldoni: Blake Lively Feud, Net Worth, and Health ? Rainbow TV Show: Why It Ended and What Happened Next

For a deeper dive into the show’s behind-the-scenes conflicts and where to watch, explore our guide to feuds, 9/11, and streaming details.

Frequently asked questions