And Just Like That Creators Address Controversial Finale: Was Honesty the Best Policy?

The show And Just Like That… concluded its three-season journey recently, leaving a mixed taste in the mouths of its audience.

The final episode of the Sex and the City sequel on HBO Max did not sit well with many viewers, earning a disappointing “F” grade from TVLine readers. The dissatisfaction stemmed from the finale not feeling like a conclusive end to the series, with Carrie confidently choosing a solitary life and dancing alone to Barry White. (Read our detailed recap here.) However, AJLT writers and executive producers Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, who also contributed to the original Sex and the City, viewed the finale as a true-to-character proclamation of independence by Carrie. (The finale was penned by showrunner Michael Patrick King and executive producer Susan Fales-Hill.)

According to Zuritsky, each season finale was crafted as if it could serve as the series finale. “Out of all the season endings, this one resonates most authentically with me,” Zuritsky explained to TVLine, highlighting how it reflects the reality of many women who find happiness in their independence after significant life changes. She emphasized that Carrie’s decision to embrace solitude over a less-than-ideal relationship felt poignant and true to her character.

Zuritsky also expressed satisfaction with the series’ conclusion, describing it as a fulfilling and realistic portrayal of a woman who has come into her own. “It’s a beautiful end to a life well-lived,” she added, acknowledging the rarity of such portrayals in film and television.

Rottenberg echoed this sentiment, describing the series ending as the most genuine conclusion possible. She highlighted Carrie’s acceptance of possibly remaining single as a strong and definitive moment, reflecting a positive and content state of being for the character.

The announcement of the show’s end came as a surprise to many, including the writers, just two weeks before the final episode aired. Rottenberg and Zuritsky noted that King decided to end the series while writing the finale, describing his approach as uniquely his own.

Rottenberg speculated that the absence of a final scene featuring Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte together was likely a deliberate choice by King to highlight the enduring strength of their friendship, even when not physically together.

Rottenberg acknowledged the diverse fan reactions to the finale, interpreting the strong responses as a testament to the audience’s attachment to Carrie Bradshaw. She viewed the passionate reactions as a form of compliment, emphasizing the challenge of satisfying every viewer while aiming to conclude the characters’ stories respectfully.

Zuritsky, admitting to her own engagement with fan reactions online, noted the contrast between online negativity and positive feedback from real-world interactions. She highlighted the joy expressed by fans happy to see their favorite characters return, regardless of the broader critical reception.