And just like that one of TVs most beloved queer-adjacent universes is preparing to take its final bow.After three seasons of cosmopolitans, couture, and complicated conversations, HBO Maxs And Just Like That, the sequel series to the iconic Sex and the City, will conclude with its third and final season. Series showrunner Michael Patrick King confirmed the decision in a heartfelt statement released Friday on social media.While I was writing the last episode of And Just Like That Season 3, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop, King wrote. Along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Casey Bloys, and Sarah Aubrey, we decided to end the popular series this year with a two-part finale and extended the original series order from 10 episodes to 12. SJP and I held off announcing the news until now because we didnt want the word final to overshadow the fun of watching the season.With that, Carrie Bradshaws storyand the stories of the many LGBTQ+ characters and themes shes walked besidewill wrap up in whats sure to be a fashion-forward and emotionally rich conclusion.From Manhattans Streets to the Heart of Queer CultureWhen Sex and the City premiered in 1998, few could have predicted its deep impact on queer audiences. But its unapologetic femininity, its embrace of sexual agency, and its celebration of chosen family resonated far beyond its intended demographic. For many LGBTQ+ viewers, the show offered a rare vision of urban life where nonconformity, glamour, and friendship ruled supreme.Though the original series drew some criticism for its lack of diversityparticularly in its portrayal of queer charactersit has long held a cherished spot in queer pop culture. Whether it was Stanford Blatch, played by the late Willie Garson, or Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone), gay men were thereeven if often relegated to the sidelines.And Just Like That made a visible effort to change that.Queerer, Older, and WiserThe reboot returned in 2021 with a fresh set of characters and a mission to reflect a broader range of voices and identities. In addition to bringing back Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda), and Kristin Davis (Charlotte), the show introduced a diverse supporting cast including Che Diaz, played by nonbinary actor Sara Ramrez.Ches presence alone sparked massive conversation across LGBTQ+ spaces and beyond. Love them or hate them (and the internet certainly has opinions), Che represented a radical shift in mainstream storytellinga nonbinary Latinx comedian navigating relationships, career struggles, and self-acceptance. And Mirandas romantic and sexual awakening with Che was a bold pivot from the original shows more traditional arcs.Whether or not the reboot always hit the mark, it gave queer people a reason to see themselves reflected in a world once too straight, too white, and too binary.The Legacy ContinuesEven If the Story EndsWith HBO Max extending Season 3 to 12 episodes and planning a two-part finale, fans can expect a thoughtfully paced ending. And while the curtain is coming down on And Just Like That, Michael Patrick Kings wording suggests that the broader Sex and the City universe may not be gone forever.The ongoing storytelling of the Sex and the City universe is coming to an end, he wrote, but fans knowwhen it comes to this franchise, never say never is more accurate than goodbye.Though Kim Cattralls absence as Samantha Jones loomed large in the first two seasons, her surprise cameo in Season 2 lit a nostalgic fire across social media. Will she return again before the end? HBO is remaining tight-lipped, but fans remain hopeful.A Toast to Carrie and the Queer Women Who Loved HerEven as Carrie Bradshaws journey draws to a close, her legacyparticularly within LGBTQ+ cultureremains secure. Queer fans have long embraced her independence, her contradictions, her fabulous fashion, and her flair for drama. From gay bars quoting her monologues to drag queens recreating her runway moments, Carrie has become something of a queer icon.And the reboot series didnt just honor thatit expanded on it. By allowing Miranda to fall in love with a nonbinary person, by presenting nuanced explorations of gender, race, aging, and identity, And Just Like That dared to evolve.It wasnt always perfect. But it was always trying.Source