Purple Staff Writer
As I finished up my last rewatch of Sex and the City, I took a walk around Sewanee’s campus and I couldn’t help but wonder which of the iconic four female characters would fit best among Sewanee’s population.
Sex and the City first aired in 1998 and was based on the novels of Candace Bushnell. Although many of the references and tropes have become dated, a majority of the plotlines remain beloved by young women of today. The show saw an interesting resurgence in the summer of 2024 due to its repopularization on TikTok.
Sex and the City follows Carrie Bradshaw, a New Yorker in her thirties who writes a column analyzing men and the dating scene. Her closest set of friends, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbs, and Samantha Jones fulfill specific character tropes which makes them easier for audiences to relate to. Although the characters begin the show in their thirties, it seems that young women in their early twenties can find commonalities with some of the plotlines and character types.
Carrie Bradshaw, the show’s lead protagonist, is often thought of by fans as a horrible character. The New York Times even has an article by Cady Lang published in 2024 entitled “All the Sex and the City Episodes Where Carrie Bradshaw Is the Worst.” You might be asking yourself why fans of the show seem to hate its main character. This answer is simple. To pull from Lang’s Times article: “…there’s no denying that much of the series actually centers on Carrie’s narcissism: her self-absorption, her lack of self-awareness, and her ability to make any and every situation all about herself, her love life, and her feelings. Since she first graced our screens in 1998, Carrie has flaked on friends, cheated on boyfriends, broken up marriages, and shirked responsibility for her actions.”
I am happy to report that after anonymously polling the Sewanee community, not a single person said they identified most with Carrie Bradshaw.
Carrie’s friends, however, remain more beloved than the show’s main protagonist, even if they do seem to fit into specific tropes or character stereotypes.
Charlotte York can be seen as soft, feminine and a believer in true love. She also is sometimes seen as a princess character with one of her most famous quotes being: “Do you think my hair is too shiny today?” (Season 1, Episode 8). Elle Magazine’s article by Melissa Mason “I’m a Carrie With a Miranda Rising . Which ‘Sex and the City’ Character Are You?” describes the Charlotte girls as: “…for a Charlotte, romance is also tied to traditionalism. You want the big, white wedding and EVERY milestone celebration– 30ths, baby showers, the works. You want fairytale love and sometimes it gets in the way of seeing what true love really is all about.”
Miranda Hobbs is meant to be the ‘smart, career ambitious’ character of the group, although each of the women have successful jobs and a good education (good on the show writers for this one). Miranda is a lawyer and begins the series thoroughly dedicated to her work. She is put together and knows how to put someone in their place when the situation calls for it. She’s witty and often honest, as seen in this quote from Season 4, Episode 1: “Do any of you have a completely unremarkable friend, or maybe a houseplant I could go to dinner with on Saturday night?” The Elle Magazine article describes those who relate to Miranda as: “…absolutely pragmatic, the realist of their friendship group and the least likely to make decisions based on romantic thinking. You carefully consider pros and cons when it comes to decision-making. In relationships, you demand your partners be as loyal, thoughtful and dedicated as you are to them. You can be kind of judgemental, though.”
Samantha Jones is the group’s stereotypical attractive, femme-fatale character. She is a powerful character with the ability to make strong decisions. Like Miranda, she isn’t afraid to be honest, especially when talking about men. She also has a strong work -ethic and her successful career is often mentioned in the show. One of her most iconic lines is: “I love you, but I love me more.” (Season 5, Episode 8). Elle Magazine’s article describes those who relate with Samantha as individuals who: “…often excel in their career and don’t put up with sexist crap from bosses or colleagues. They love a challenge and will assertively ask for what they know they deserve. They’re whip-smart and straight-shooting. By her own definition, Samantha is also ‘stubborn, self-sufficient and always right.’”
The results of the anonymous poll asking what Sex and the City character Sewanee students felt they most related to or identified with concluded with Charlotte as the winner with 50% of the votes. The other half of voters were split down the middle with 25% for Miranda and 25% for Samantha. Students had the option to leave an explanation after voting for their character.
Charlotte voters explained their choice in the character as being informed by many different reasons. One respondent said when asked why they chose Charlotte: “Wanting to get to a point in my life my peers might not want to see yet. Also, seeing the good in people, almost to a detriment.” Another respondent said in favor of relating to Charlotte: “I feel like she embodies how I feel about relationships. I like to have fun but I’m also super picky and kinda idealistic because I’m the same way about myself.”
Samantha voters also had interesting reasons for relating to this character. One participant praised Samantha’s ability for balance in her life, saying: “We view relationships the same way and she also values her career and personal relationships over material things. She’s a true girls girl and has a great balance in her life between partying, gym, and work.” Another participant said of the character: “Samantha is unapologetically herself, but still values female friendships as a priority and lifeline. She treats romantic partners as though they are something to add onto one’s life, not complete it.”
The other 25% of voters in favor of relating most to Miranda also eloquently defended their choice, as a true Miranda would. One participant explained: “She’s kind of a girl boss. She’s smart and hardworking and is also kind of mean to men, which really resonates with me.”
Overall it’s safe to say that Sewanee students feel they most relate to Charlotte, but there isn’t just one character archetype present on this campus. We’re populated with Mirandas, Samanthas and Charlottes (and likely even a few Carries). No matter what character you find to be most relatable, always keep in mind that finding your core support group is the most important. Find your other halves and enjoy your twenties before you get older and Sex and the City becomes even more relatable in the ways you don’t really want it to be. As Charlotte York says: “Maybe we can be each other’s soulmates. And then we could just let men be these great, nice guys to have fun with!” (Season 4, Episode 1).
And one more word of unsolicited advice: stay away from anyone who vaguely resembles Mr. Big.