Sex and the City: Facts Behind the Feuds and 9/11 Changes

Few TV shows have shaped the cultural conversation around relationships and fashion quite like Sex and the City. But behind the iconic Manolo Blahniks and brunch scenes, the series was shaped by real-life tensions and historic events—from a well-documented cast feud to the rewriting of episodes after 9/11. This guide separates verified fact from speculation, drawing on cast interviews, production records, and industry reporting.

Original run: 1998–2004 on HBO ·
Total episodes: 94 ·
Main cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon ·
Awards: 7 Primetime Emmy Awards, 8 Golden Globe Awards ·
Spin-offs and sequels: 2 films (2008, 2010), And Just Like That (2021–) ·
Based on: Book by Candace Bushnell

Five key facts about the series, one pattern: the show’s production was as layered as its storylines.

Why Don’t Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker Get Along?

What Sparked the Feud Between Kim Cattrall and SJP?

The off-screen tension between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker has been a topic of speculation for years. According to E! News (entertainment media), the feud narrative centers on the two leads, not the full cast. A reported driver was compensation: Parker became an executive producer, which reportedly brought her a salary of $300,000 per episode, while Cattrall didn’t receive the same bump. Elle (women’s lifestyle magazine) notes that crew members said the women “were not happy about the salary imbalance.” Cattrall later suggested the media inflated the feud because audiences resisted the idea that the women got along, as reported by Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine).

How Did the Cast React to the Rift?

Sarah Jessica Parker publicly denied a “catfight,” telling E! News (entertainment media) that she had “never fought with someone publicly.” Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon remained largely neutral, but the tension became impossible to ignore when Cattrall skipped the third film and later declined to appear in And Just Like That. The pattern: a business dispute dressed as a personal falling-out, with consequences that reshaped the franchise.

How Did 9/11 Affect Sex and the City?

Which Episodes Were Altered After 9/11?

The show’s first post-9/11 episodes had already been shot before the attacks, so they made no direct mention of September 11, according to Town & Country (lifestyle magazine). However, the season 4 premiere was delayed to October 2001, and the opening sequence was edited to remove the Twin Towers. A surviving souvenir snow globe shot later featured the Twin Towers, a subtle visual remnant. An episode developed after 9/11 was reportedly discarded for feeling too heavy-handed, as The Sydney Morning Herald (news outlet) reported.

How Did the Show Address the Attack?

Instead of a direct story, the season 4 finale “I Heart NY” became widely read as a 9/11 elegy, even though it was not written as one. Town & Country (lifestyle magazine) notes that the show returned for season 5 in July 2002 with episodes written and filmed after the attacks, praised for continuing to portray New York as glamorous and resilient. The implication: the show chose to be an escape, not a documentary.

Who Turned Down the Role of Carrie Bradshaw?

Why Did Actresses Decline the Role?

Actresses such as Téa Leoni, Jennifer Aniston, and Leslie Bibb were reportedly considered or declined the role of Carrie Bradshaw, according to Elle (women’s lifestyle magazine). Creator Darren Star always had Sarah Jessica Parker as his first choice, but the network initially wanted a bigger name. No single actress has publicly confirmed turning it down, leaving the exact number unclear.

Was the Role Offered to Any Other Well-Known Actress?

Parker eventually won the part, and the show’s casting became iconic. The catch: the uncertainty around who nearly played Carrie only adds to the myth of the series—and proves that casting decisions can define a cultural phenomenon.

Did the Cast Drink Real Alcohol on Set?

How Did They Simulate Alcohol in Scenes?

Alcohol on set was non-alcoholic—fake cocktails or apple juice, as confirmed by E! News (entertainment media). The cast reported that no real alcohol was consumed during filming, and there were no reported incidents of actual intoxication. The pattern: the show’s glamorous drinking scenes were a careful production choice, not a reflection of real behavior.

Were There Incidents of Actual Intoxication?

None are documented. The decision to keep it fake allowed the actors to maintain control over their performances—and avoided the legal and health risks of real alcohol consumption on set.

What Is the Most Inappropriate Episode of Sex and the City?

Which Episodes Drew the Most Criticism?

Episode “The Domino Effect” faced backlash for its sexual content, and multiple episodes were flagged for explicit language and drug references. According to Elle (women’s lifestyle magazine), no single episode is universally labeled “most inappropriate,” but the show’s TV-MA rating reflects its boundary-pushing content. The trade-off: the show’s frankness about sex made it a target for criticism, but also a landmark for honest conversations about female desire.

Why Was the Episode ‘The Domino Effect’ Considered Inappropriate?

The episode featured a masturbation scene that sparked parental outrage. Yet the show’s willingness to tackle such topics also earned it a devoted audience—and a place in the cultural canon.

The off-screen drama and the post-9/11 caution taught the show’s creators a hard lesson: real life inevitably intrudes on fiction. The off-screen tensions between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall highlight that the show’s friendships were a production choice, not a mirror of real life.