Few TV shows still spark as much debate as Sex and the City—whether it’s who should have played Carrie Bradshaw or which character had the most partners. This guide cuts through the noise with the most contentious trivia, the real story behind the cast feuds, and exactly where you can watch every episode today in Ireland.

Number of seasons: 6 ·
Total episodes: 94 ·
Movies: 2 (2008, 2010) ·
Main characters: 4 ·
Most sexual partners: Samantha Jones (41)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reasons behind the feud beyond public statements
  • Complete list of actresses who turned down the role of Carrie Bradshaw
  • Canonical partner counts for each character (fan tallies vary)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

One snapshot across 94 episodes reveals the core stats the franchise is built on.

Label Value
Creator Darren Star
Original run 1998–2004
Number of seasons 6
Number of episodes 94
Awards 7 Primetime Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series

Why don’t Kim Cattrall and SJP get along?

The most persistent rift in television history isn’t between characters—it’s between the actresses who played them. Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw) have been the subject of off-screen tension for years, with the feud publicly escalating in February 2018 when Cattrall rebuked Parker on Instagram after the death of Cattrall’s brother (TV Tropes (fan wiki)). The fracture reportedly stems from Cattrall’s dissatisfaction with the show’s demanding schedule and a lack of personal respect from Parker—a claim Parker has consistently denied.

The feud has real consequences: Cattrall chose not to return as a regular in the 2021 reboot And Just Like That…, and the show wrote Samantha off as living in London (HBO (official network)).

What is Chris Noth saying about Sarah Jessica Parker?

In December 2021, actor Chris Noth—who played Mr. Big on the series—was accused of sexual assault by multiple women. In the aftermath, Noth gave an interview to the Daily Mail in which he claimed Sarah Jessica Parker had not been supportive during the allegations. Parker responded with a public statement calling the accusation “sick” and standing with the accusers (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). The controversy further complicated the cast dynamics and raised questions about the future of the character in the franchise.

Are SJP’s twins biologically hers?

No, the twins—Tabitha and Marion, born in 2009—are not Sarah Jessica Parker’s biological children. Parker and husband Matthew Broderick used a surrogate to have their daughters, a fact the couple has discussed publicly (People (celebrity news)). This detail often surprises fans because Parker has never been secretive about it, yet the question persists in online searches.

Why this matters

The feud and surrounding gossip directly shaped the reboot’s cast, leaving longtime viewers with a gap where Samantha should be. For fans invested in the original foursome, the fracture means the group dynamic they loved is permanently altered.

The feud’s impact on the franchise is irreversible, leaving fans to wonder what might have been if the cast had remained united.

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

Before Sarah Jessica Parker made Carrie Bradshaw iconic, several actresses reportedly passed on the part. The most frequently cited name is Téa Leoni, who was offered the role but turned it down due to other commitments (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). Other unconfirmed rumors include Mira Sorvino, but no definitive list exists. The casting ultimately went to Parker, who brought her own voice and style to the character, making Carrie the cultural touchstone she is today.

Who was supposed to play Mr. Big?

Chris Noth almost didn’t get the part. According to show creator Darren Star, the role of Mr. Big was originally offered to John Corbett—who later played Aidan—but Corbett declined (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)). Noth auditioned and won the role, becoming the chemistry that defined Carrie’s on-again, off-again romance. The decision had ripple effects: Aidan became a beloved character in his own right, while Mr. Big became the series’ central love interest.

The catch

The “what if” of Téa Leoni as Carrie is pure speculation—no official confirmation exists. Yet the trivia persists because it taps into the question of how much of a show’s magic depends on the actor who walks in the door first.

The casting what-ifs highlight how much of the show’s identity is tied to Parker’s portrayal. For more on TV casting decisions, see our guide to X-Men: First Class — Full Cast, Characters and Where to Watch.

Who sleeps with the most men in Sex and the City?

Among the four main characters, Samantha Jones tops the list with 41 sexual partners across the series, according to fan-counted data (TV Tropes (fan wiki)). Carrie Bradshaw follows with 21, Miranda Hobbes with 16, and Charlotte York with just 7. The numbers aren’t officially published by the show’s creators—they stem from careful episode-by-episode counting by fans—so the counts may vary slightly depending on what counts as a “partner.”

The pattern is clear: Samantha’s number is more than double Carrie’s, reflecting her character’s explicit embrace of sexual independence without apology. For viewers, the numbers often serve as a proxy for how each woman navigated 1990s New York dating.

How many abortions did Samantha have?

In season 2, episode 12 (“The Chicken Dance”), Samantha discovers she is pregnant and decides to have an abortion. The episode handles the decision without judgment—Samantha simply does not want children, and the show treats her choice as matter-of-fact (TV Tropes (fan wiki)). This is the only abortion depicted in the entire series, a notable detail for a show that otherwise often tiptoes around the topic.

What is Chris Noth saying about Sarah Jessica Parker?

As covered earlier, Chris Noth’s statements in December 2021 centered on his perception that Sarah Jessica Parker did not stand by him during the sexual assault allegations. In a Daily Mail interview, Noth said he felt “thrown under the bus” (Daily Mail (British tabloid)). Parker’s team quickly responded with a statement calling the claims “hurtful” and noting that she had reached out to Noth’s accusers to express support. The exchange became a public relations flashpoint, damaging the reboot’s carefully managed launch.

The implication for the franchise: any return of Mr. Big in flashbacks or alternate timelines is now weighed against real-world reputational risk.

Where can I watch Sex and the City in Ireland?

In Ireland, Sex and the City is available to stream on HBO Max (the service rebranded from HBO Go in some regions). As of 2025, the full series and both movies are included with a standard subscription (JustWatch Ireland (streaming directory)). For those who prefer to own digital copies, the show can be purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play in Ireland. The reboot And Just Like That… streams exclusively on HBO Max.

Note that availability can shift when licensing agreements expire—always check the platform directly for the current catalog. For Irish viewers, HBO Max remains the most reliable single source for the entire franchise.

For another TV season breakdown, check out our guide to Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue: Season 1 Guide & Reviews.

Timeline signal

  • – Sex and the City premieres on HBO (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • – Series finale airs (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • – First film (Sex and the City) released (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work))
  • – Second film (Sex and the City 2) released (