And Just Like That “Woke” Killed Sex in the City?
The Sex and the City reboot has been canceled after three seasons, largely due to plunging viewership and the backlash over its overt attempts at “woke” storytelling. Critics said it sacrificed charm for an agenda, and many viewers agreed.
Here are six standout moments that drew groans—or guffaws—from fans tired of forced inclusion:
1. Miranda’s Braids Blunder with Dr. Nya Wallace
In a tone-deaf moment, Miranda mistakes Professor Nya Wallace—a Black woman—for a student, all because of braids. What felt like a social faux-pas was delivered as an awkward character moment… that ended up just being cringe.
2. Che Díaz’s "Woke Moment" Button
Che Díaz, Miranda’s non-binary partner, has a podcast segment where they literally push a “woke moment” button to talk about social issues. It comes off as performative and smacks of a box-ticking metaphor.
Rosie O’Donnell plays a virgin nun
3. Miranda Falling in Love with a Nun
Season 3 rolls out a storyline where Miranda sleeps with a Canadian nun. The scene screamed: “Look how extra we can be with diversity!” and felt more shock tactic than realistic growth.
4. Charlotte’s Energetic Healing Shenanigans
Charlotte’s well-being subplot includes mandatory “energy healing” sessions and life coaching sessions in between manicures and PTA drama. It’s spiritual New Age therapy taken to Hallmark levels.
5. Maudlin Mourning of Mr. Big’s Death via Peloton
Big dies in the first episode of the reboot after a Peloton ride. The bizarre pairing of a health-tracking product and his heart attack disrupted an already emotional angle—and fans were left feeling manipulated.
6. Tokenism Rulebook: Shoe-horned Diversity
Critics pointed out the pattern of each white lead getting a friend of color to lecture them. Characters like Lisa or Seema sometimes feel less like real people and more like ideological accessories introduced to fill quotas.
🧭 What Went Wrong & Why It Felt So Forced
Despite attempts at inclusivity, many of these characters lacked proper development and felt shoehorned into the narrative. Che, in particular, was so divisive that their presence was blamed for dampening viewer interest.
Writer Bobby Lee—who portrayed Jackie Nee—believes his and other diverse cast members’ arcs were cut as the show scaled back its more overtly “woke” strands in Seasons 2 and 3.
While some outlets praised the show’s shift toward authentic racial dynamics in its second season, the initial approach was widely seen as a ham-handed attempt to address diversity criticisms rather than weaving inclusivity into the core of the narrative.
🏁 Finale: When Representation Loops into Overcorrection
Ultimately, And Just Like That… was canceled after three seasons—showrunner Michael Patrick King citing a natural story endpoint, though critics suggest the backlash and costs sealed its fate.
While the original series thrived on witty fashion and friendships, the reboot sometimes veered into preachy territory, losing the spark that made Sex and the City iconic.
✨ Final Take
Yes, representation matters—but And Just Like That… pleads the case: there’s a right way and a “look how woke we are” way to do it. Forced diversity, props like a “woke button,” or celebrity nuns won’t cut it if viewers aren’t left wanting more character, authenticity, or heart.
Would you like a breakdown of which character arcs still landed—even amid the cringe—or examples of better-handled representation in streaming dramas?
