DEEP DIVE: And Just Like That is returning in June – so what should we expect from the second season?

Dubbed a Sex and the City story, I’m PUMPED for the second series. For me it was a sleeper hit and something I’m very much looking forward too. Sooooo let's dive into Carrie and Co…and what to expect!

Willkomen! Bienvenue! Welcome!

This week we were treated to the first trailer of the second season of And Just Like That. Check it out HERE. You know, the ‘not quite Sex and the City but we are trying to move things forward and create a new franchise for the fans’ show that has finally moved with the times.

In a nutshell And Just Like That needed to feature black characters, talk frankly about sex, women’s bodies and dating as you get older and generally reflect where life is today with sexual fluidity and identity. The old series, although enjoyable, is remarkably dated in comparison to present day.

The trailer, featuring Jessie Ware’s Pearls as banger background music, doesn’t give a huge amount away about the storylines but it put a rocket of excitement up me from the get-go.

To kick things off, let’s talk threads. I have to say I’ve been dead happy about there not being hundreds of outfit spoilers like the first season attracted. There’s been so little pre-pap action this year during filming. That’s half the fun isn’t it – seeing the outfits and the LEWKS for the very first time. So I’m expecting big things from this season.

Now for the deep dive, let’s recap.

Carrie Bradshaw is back. Gone is the Preston element (RIP Big, yes I was wondrously tearful during that death scene and couldn’t hold it together during the funeral – it was like I was there). Carrie’s now a solo podcast host, still writing and we last saw her having a steamy AF clinch with the hot podcast producer as the lift went down. Hopefully an analogy for the storyline that develops.

Miranda Hobbes has ditched lovely-but-ageing-ageing-faster-than-a-peach-in-the-sun Steve (heartbreaking) and is dating Che Diaz, a non-binary comedian who I can’t work out whether is dead interesting is proper bloody boring.

Everyone’s favourite Little Miss Perfect, Charlotte York, is dealing with her daughter changing her name to Rock and identifying as a boy. Plus from the trailer it appears Lily is ready to loose her virginity (farrrrrrrk, how old does that make us all feel).

Then Samantha – who I really hope isn’t the overriding arc to the series once again without making an appearance….put her to bed already - is probably still in London getting pissed at Soho House. Hopefully, she’s finally been allowed membership because let’s face it nowadays any old fucker can get in.

We have a few elephants in the room to address after season one. I mean, is Miranda going to continue to have had this epic personality transplant or will things settle allowing her to not be quite so annoying. Is Charlotte’s face going to look as scary as it did in the first season (I know, Ladies. We can’t not mention it. You’re all thinking it). And finally, Stamford’s obviously still in Tokyo but in real life the wondrous Willie Garson died so could we actually have a screen-made funeral for Stannie? Could you imagine how camp as tits that would be? I mean the wedding to Antony had Liza Minelli singing Single Ladies and swans in a Wizard of Oz-style film set. Stannie’s DEFINITELY the sort of person who would plan that funeral within an inch of his life. Jazz hands and tears at the ready. 

Finally, there’s the biggest elephant of them all. Aidan. I mean, how do we feel about this one? Well, I for one am here for it. I was never particularly bothered or angered by Aidan. Sure, he was a bit dry and tbf during the first time Carrie and he dated I didn’t think there was enough smackdown in the sack. BUT when he got all trim, cocky and punchy with Carrie I liked him. I wanted him to give her a hard time. Because, let’s not forget, she’d been a dick and cheated on him. How do you ever recover from that?

The last time we saw Aidan was in a souk in that DREADFUL ‘take the cash hunty’s’ sequel to Sex and the City The Movie. It wasn’t clear if he was still happily married, is Tate was fully grown and whether Aidan was just wanting a quick bonk for old time’s sake. Buuuuuuuuuuut, what about this. I’m sure we all have friends who are going through a time of serious change. Tonnes of my pals are divorcing, splitting up, making different life choices, living their dreams. So why is it not possible that Aidan and Carrie could make a proper go of it? She’s a widow. He’s a divorced man (we assume). They come back together and without Big in the way (let’s face it without Big they might have found some sort of forever happiness) maybe it could work? I’m not pro or against – but I am here for the storyline and I’m excited to see where it goes.

What do we think the overriding theme of this season is going to be? Well, I’m hoping for the Rebirth of Carrie. The last season was hugely establishing for the show - the dawn of a new era, if you will. So this time around maybe we are going to have a proper amazing look at dating in your mid-fifties and all the perils that come with that. You know – can they keep it up, have they got too much baggage, arthritis and sex and if it’s possible to have a meaningful and satisfying new chance at love at that age. It’s going to be a total buzz to watch things play out.

Now, what lies ahead for the newbies? You know, the characters we are still getting to grips with. Well, I genuinely cannot wait to get to know more about them all again. The overriding favourite is OBVS Seema Patel. Some might call her a poor man’s Samantha Jones, I like to think of Seema as the perfect ‘outsider’ accompaniment to Carrie for this new phase in her life. I want more disco nights sharking boys, more Cosmo-laden dinners across Manhattan and more adventures to further lands. Imagine if those two headed to the south of France for an adventure or Tuscany. The boozy long lunches and flirting with the waiters would be a GAG.

Next up, Dr. Nya Wallace who admittedly wasn’t our favourite new character in the first outing. Don’t know why. Just a little dry. But this time round it’s probably going to be dramatic. I love the idea of a storyline of exploration with a couple who have been contemplating children for so long actually realise the benefits to being childless and, dare we say it, happy. But let’s see – Dr Nya’s hubby Andre didn’t exactly seem like the type to simmer down and roll over for a belly rub and a treat. He was gagging to breed.

Finally, in the newbies category, let’s discuss LTW, Lisa Todd Wexley. It’s funny because I always considered Charlotte to be the epitome of perfection as a parent until LTW came along. But kinda nice she’s got a heart of gold with it. You know you can rely on that bitch to get shit done. Let us not forget Dr Nya’s: “Well, if you really wanted to help you could try and rustle up catering who have just let me down for 80 people.” And those immortal words: “On it.” Cut to a Mexican street food van arriving minutes later. There’s an obvious storyline here isn’t there – cracks appearing in the perfect little world she lives in. From the trailer it looks like she needs to spice up her marriage. So let’s see how that plays out.

But what about the sex factor for this series (aside from Carrie - who you can OBVIOUSLY tell I’m hoping is running around town throwing her vadge about. Yes, I know. Carrie would detest to use of the word VADGE)?

Well, I’d like to see Anthony taking the reins with regards to dating. As a single gay guy in his, COUGHING LOUDLY, near mid-forties it would be refreshing to see a thread about Antony Marentino’s dating life post-Stannie. You have to be honest, the KWEENS are all over this new series. Anything Sex and the City is good for us. So let’s see whether or not there could be a progressive storyline about gay guys dating in their forties. There’s so little that truly reflects the gay dating world on television or in the movies. You watch telly and it’s all twinks and bumming. But the reality is…some of us want some companionship and a big fat cuddle. As well as the bumming now and again. So maybe Anthony and his quest for a new love could make for interesting viewing. Just a thought…

So what do you think? Are you into And Just Like That? Or is it a turkey and a firm no from you? Don’t be lazy and say “it’s so woke”. It’s not woke. It’s just relevant to the time we are living in. Times have changed experientially since we left the four characters in the first series. There wasn’t even social media back then for God’s sake.

You might be able to tell, I’m ruddy excited about this series and feel like it’s going to settle into being a rather fabulous show that could run and run for the forseeable if they get it right. And why the hell not!

ABOVE: Riding a horde drawn carriage through Central Park many moons ago with my girl Emma Willis. We were firmly being tourists for that day!

BTW – if you’re into the show and want to hear more about the behind the scenes then you simply must listen to the show’s creator Michael Patrick King discussing each episode of the last season with various members of the show’s writer’s circle. Listening to this podcast enabled me to transition into LOVING this show. It might just be the perfect little accompaniment for getting your loin girded for Season Two. Very much hoping the podcast is back once again…catch it HERE