The HBO Max series “And Just Like That…” is officially coming to an end after its third season. The show will conclude with a two-part series finale that aired on August 14, bringing Carrie Bradshaw’s story to a close. Showrunner Michael Patrick King made the announcement on social media, confirming that the current season would be the last for the popular “Sex and the City” revival. And Just Like That To End.
The decision to end the series came from the creative team, including star Sarah Jessica Parker and HBO executives. The final season was extended from 10 to 12 episodes to give the story a proper conclusion. This marks the end of Carrie Bradshaw’s journey that began over two decades ago with the original HBO series.
Fans of the franchise will get to see how the writers wrap up the storylines that have followed these beloved characters through their 50s and beyond. The two-part finale format allows for a more complete ending to the series that has explored friendship, love, and life changes in New York City.
Key Takeaways And Just Like That To End
- “And Just Like That…” ends after three seasons with a two-part finale that aired on August 14, 2025
- The creative team extended the final season from 10 to 12 episodes to provide a proper conclusion
- The series finale marks the end of Carrie Bradshaw’s story that began with the original “Sex and the City”
Confirmed End of ‘And Just Like That…’ With Season 3
The HBO Max series will officially conclude after three seasons with showrunner Michael Patrick King making the announcement on August 1, 2025. The final season will expand from 10 to 12 episodes and feature a two-part finale airing in mid-August.
Official Announcement of the Series Conclusion
Michael Patrick King revealed the series ending through a social media statement on Friday, August 1. The showrunner explained that while writing the final episode, it became clear this was the right place to end the story.
King wrote that “the ongoing storytelling of the ‘Sex And The City’ universe is coming to an end.” He expressed gratitude to viewers who welcomed the characters into their homes over the years.
The announcement came after careful consideration during the writing process. King and the team chose to wait until now to share the news so the word “final” wouldn’t take away from viewers’ enjoyment of the current season.
Decision Behind Ending the Show
The choice to end And Just Like That was made jointly by key figures at HBO Max and the show’s creative team. Michael Patrick King worked with Sarah Jessica Parker and HBO executives Casey Bloys and Sarah Aubrey to reach this decision.
King stated the ending felt natural while working on the season’s final episodes. The creative team wanted to conclude the series at a satisfying narrative point rather than continue indefinitely.
The decision also involved expanding the original season order. HBO Max agreed to add two extra episodes to properly wrap up the storylines in a two-part finale format.
Key Dates and Release Schedule for the Finale
The series finale will air as a two-part event on HBO Max in August 2025. Part one of the finale is scheduled to air on August 7, followed by part two on August 14.
Season 3 was extended from the original 10-episode order to 12 episodes total. This expansion allowed the creative team to develop a proper conclusion for the characters and storylines.
The finale episodes will serve as the definitive end to the Sex and the City universe on television. HBO Max has not announced any plans for additional spinoffs or continuation of the franchise.
Two-Part Series Finale: What Fans Can Expect
The final episodes will expand from the original 10-episode plan to 12 episodes, giving showrunner Michael Patrick King extra time to wrap up character arcs. Both finale episodes will air on HBO Max with specific release dates and extended content to close out the series properly.
Structure and Content of the Finale Episodes
The two-part finale splits into episodes 11 and 12, with episode 11 streaming on Thursday, August 7 at 9 p.m. EST. The final episode follows one week later on Thursday, August 14 at the same time.
This structure gives the creative team room to address multiple storylines without rushing. Episode 11 will likely set up the major resolutions while episode 12 delivers the final outcomes.
The extended format allows for deeper character moments. King decided on this approach after realizing the original season 3 finale episode “Better Than Sex” wouldn’t provide enough closure.
Both episodes will stream exclusively on HBO Max. Fans can watch all previous episodes of the series on the same platform before the finale.
Creative Team’s Approach to the Final Season
Michael Patrick King made the decision to end the series during the writing process for what was originally the season 3 finale. He worked closely with Sarah Jessica Parker, HBO CEO Casey Bloys, and Head of Originals Sarah Aubrey to plan the conclusion.
The team chose to end on a high note rather than continue indefinitely. King stated this felt like “a wonderful place to stop” for the characters.
The showrunner extended the episode order specifically to give proper endings to all main characters. This creative choice prioritizes story completion over commercial considerations.
Parker supported the decision to conclude the series. Her involvement in the ending decision shows the cast’s commitment to a satisfying conclusion.
Potential Storylines and Unresolved Arcs
Carrie Bradshaw faces major relationship decisions after ending things with Aidan Shaw due to trust issues. Her new romance with writer and neighbor Duncan Reeves needs resolution, along with her work on her first fiction book.
Miranda deals with complex family situations. Her relationship with Joy continues developing while she processes the news that her son Brady got a girl pregnant, creating tension with ex-husband Steve.
Charlotte supports husband Harry through his prostate surgery recovery. Her daughter Lily struggles with a recent breakup while the family adjusts to their changing dynamics.
Seema balances her new business venture with her developing relationship with landscaper Adam. The finale will likely show how these two important parts of her life fit together.
Other characters need closure too. Anthony’s living situation with boyfriend Giuseppe, and Lisa and Herbert’s marriage after his election loss, require final story beats.
Legacy of the ‘Sex and the City’ Universe
The Sex and the City franchise has shaped television storytelling for over two decades, evolving from its HBO origins to the recent HBO Max revival. The series redefined how female friendships and relationships are portrayed on screen, establishing Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw as a cultural icon.
Evolution from ‘Sex and the City’ to Present Day
The franchise began in 1998 with HBO’s groundbreaking series Sex and the City. The show ran for six seasons and spawned two feature films before transitioning to And Just Like That in 2021.
Major Timeline:
- 1998-2004: Original HBO series
- 2008: Sex and the City movie
- 2010: Sex and the City 2
- 2021-2025: And Just Like That on HBO Max
The revival shifted focus from dating adventures to life challenges in middle age. Season one dealt with Carrie’s grief after her husband Big’s death. The show adapted to modern times while maintaining core themes about friendship and relationships.
And Just Like That brought three of the four main characters back to screens after more than a decade away.
Character Journeys and Major Cast Members
Sarah Jessica Parker returned as Carrie Bradshaw, the writer whose relationship columns defined the original series. Her character arc in the revival centered on widowhood and starting over at 55.
Cynthia Nixon reprised her role as Miranda Hobbes, the lawyer who explored her sexuality and marriage in new ways. Kristin Davis returned as Charlotte York, navigating motherhood and social expectations.
Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones remained largely absent from the revival. The fan-favorite character made only a brief text message appearance in the first season. Her absence marked a significant change from the original four-woman dynamic.
The show introduced new characters to fill storylines while maintaining connections to beloved originals. Parker acknowledged her 27-year relationship with Carrie Bradshaw in her farewell message.
Lasting Impact on Pop Culture
Sex and the City changed how television portrayed single women in their 30s and 40s. The show normalized discussions about female sexuality and independence.
Fashion became a central character through Carrie’s iconic outfits and shoe collection. The series made brands like Manolo Blahnik household names and influenced wedding dress trends.
The franchise created lasting catchphrases and cultural references. Carrie’s laptop writing scenes and brunch conversations became templates for other shows.
And Just Like That continued this influence by addressing current social issues. The revival tackled topics like social media, modern dating apps, and changing social norms.
The Peloton controversy in season one showed the franchise still had power to affect real businesses and stock prices.
Fan Reactions and Critical Response
The original Sex and the City maintained devoted fans throughout its run and beyond. Viewers connected deeply with the four main characters and their friendship dynamics.
And Just Like That received mixed reactions from both critics and longtime fans. Many praised the show’s willingness to address aging and loss honestly.
Critics pointed out confusing plotlines and character development issues across all three seasons. Some fans struggled with major character changes and new storylines.
Kristin Davis expressed sadness about the ending, noting the show employed 400 artisans. The cast emphasized their gratitude to loyal fans who supported the franchise for nearly three decades.
Despite criticism, the show maintained enough viewers to complete three seasons before ending with the two-part finale in August 2025.
