Kim Cattrall Says She Felt "Shame" After Quitting "Sex and the City"
Daniel Avila
Published Feb 23, 2026
When it comes to any popular show about a group of friends, fans want to believe that the actors playing them are also close in real life (like how we all get excited when the Friends cast comments on each other's Instagram posts). So when there's evidence of strife on or off-set, it's sure to get tongues wagging—as is the case with the groundbreaking HBO comedy Sex and the City. For years, the media has been reporting on conflicts within the main cast, particularly between Kim Cattrall (Samantha) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie), and it all seemed to come to a breaking point when the former refused to sign on for a third feature film continuation of the show, which killed the idea. Just this week, however, rumors have surfaced that a series revival (minus Cattrall) may be in the works for HBO Max. Meanwhile, in a new interview with the podcast Women's Prize for Fiction, Kim Cattrall revealed the "shame" that she felt after effectively quitting Sex and the City and how fans have attacked her for her decision. Keep reading to find out what she said and everything we know so far about this possible reboot. And for more celebrity drama, check out James Corden Says This Is the Rudest Celebrity He's Ever Met.
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In 2017, Cattrall confirmed reports that she had said no to a third Sex and the City movie.
A 2017 article in the Daily Mail claimed that Cattrall had declined to take part in a third Sex and the City movie (a follow-up to the 2008 and 2012 features) because her salary demands weren't met. Responding directly to that report, Cattrall tweeted, "The only 'DEMAND' I ever made was that I didn't want to do a 3rd film….& that was back in 2016." Without her joining the other main cast members Parker, Kristin Davis (Charlotte), and Cynthia Nixon (Miranda), the movie didn't move forward.
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This came after years of rumors that the cast didn't get along.
As Elle notes, news coverage about tensions within the Sex and the City ensemble dates back to 2008—four years after the series ended and the same year that the first feature film hit theaters. Over the next several years, the actors would occasionally comment about the rumored rows, usually saying that matters were being blown out of proportion and they were, indeed, friends.
"I don't think anybody wants to believe that I love Kim," Parker told Elle in 2009 when asked about the rumored rift on the set of the first movie. "I adore her. I wouldn't have done the movie without her. Didn't and wouldn't."
Cattrall seemed to agree with Parker's assessment when the Daily Mail asked her to respond to those comments. "I think Sarah was right: people don't want to believe that we get on," she said, adding later, "She and I are sick of [talking about] this."
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In 2018, Cattrall and Parker clashed publicly.
If there was a truce, it seemed to be broken after plans for the third movie were canned. When news broke that Cattrall's brother had died, Parker commented on Cattrall's Instagram with her condolences. In response, Cattrall made a new Instagram post that read: "I don't need your love or support at this tragic time @sarahjessicaparker." In her caption, Cattrall continued: "Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona." And for another pair of celebrities who clashed, check out The Worst "Late Night" Guest Conan O'Brien Ever Had.
Now, it's being reported that a Sex and the City reboot is in the works sans Cattrall.
On Dec. 22, Page Six reported that "a well-placed industry insider" told the publication that a series revival of Sex and the City may be coming to HBO Max. The report states that Parker, Davis, and Nixon would all be returning, but that they'd be continuing the story of the New York City besties without Cattrall. HBO Max, the potentially returning cast, and Cattrall have yet to comment on the supposed revival.
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Meanwhile, Cattrall is addressing the fan response to her choice to leave Sex and the City behind.
Coincidentally, Cattrall's interview with Women's Prize for Fiction dropped on the same day as that unconfirmed report. Though the subject of the podcast is women writers, she also addressed the backlash she's received for declining further involvement in all things Sex and the City.
"I remember getting a lot of grief on social media for not wanting to do a film," she said, seemingly referring to that shelved third movie. "It was astonishing some of the things people wrote to me—'I work in a bank and I don't like this person and I don't like the hours, but I do it. So you just do it! Give me what I want. I do it. I'm miserable, you be miserable too.'"
The actor didn't express any regret for having played Samantha Jones for so many years, but it's clear she felt it was time for her to move on.
"It was a lot of fun and I loved it and being in new territory is always exciting. I felt like we were," she explained. "Walking away, even if it's the only thing to do, you always feel, it's a bit of shame, I think. The taste of shame, and you have to let go of that."
Despite the "shame" that she says she felt, Cattrall, who now stars on the Fox show Filthy Rich, also said that she's "lucky to have the choice" of the projects that she takes on.
For more Hollywood rifts that made headlines, check out Former Celebrity Best Friends Who Barely Speak Anymore.
Sage Young Sage Young is the Deputy Entertainment Editor at Best Life, expanding and honing our coverage in this vertical by managing a team of industry-obsessed writers.Read moreFiled UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • NewsRead This NextThe Most Dramatic Feuds in Hollywood History
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