Kim Cattrall Originally Turned Down Sex & the City 4 Times for This Surprising Reason

Published: June 13, 2025

Kim Cattrall, the iconic actress who played Samantha Jones on Sex and the City, revealed that she turned down the role four times before accepting it. In a recent interview with The Times, the 68-year-old actress admitted that she wasn't sure if audiences would find a woman in her 40s sexy.

Kim Cattrall in 1996 (left) and in 1998.

Cattrall laughed, looking back on that perspective, saying "Self-inflicted ageism... Well, that changed — 40 became sexy. It became, 'Man, let's have more of that.'" She emphasized that Samantha's confidence and power came from enjoying life on her own terms, adding, "She wasn't a nymphomaniac — well, some people might have thought she was — but she was just enjoying the main course."

In recent years, fans who loved the role have had trouble coming to terms with Cattrall's complicated feelings about being part of the popular ensemble. However, the actress has come to terms with it, saying, "I created a fantastic character that I loved, and I put a lot of love in it... And if I'm remembered only for that, then that's really OK."

Fans who loved Cattrall's return to the popular franchise grew after the actress artfully reprised her iconic role in the season 2 finale of the revival series, And Just Like That...

In the much-anticipated cameo appearance, Samantha called Carrie from London, saying she was going to surprise her in New York City, but was unable to due to plane delays. Her character was dressed in a stylish silver jacket and red ensemble from Patricia Field, who designed the costumes in the original series.