Summary
- Emily in Paris
and
Sex and the City
are not officially connected according to “canon,” but they share similarities in fashion-forward protagonists and romantic storylines. - Both shows romanticize their locations (Paris and NYC) while depicting unique ways the main characters connect with their audiences.
- There is crossover potential for Samantha Jones from
Sex and the City
to cameo in
Emily in Paris
, although it would be challenging to pull off.
As a longtime fan of Darren Star’s shows, I must say that the comparison between Sex and the City and Emily in Paris is indeed intriguing. Having grown up with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda, it’s hard not to notice the similarities in tone, pacing, and fashion-forward approach between these two series.
As a movie critic, I’ve recently dived into the charming world of “Emily in Paris” on Netflix, a delightful blend of romance, comedy, and drama. In this series, I found myself in the shoes of Emily, a budding marketer who finds herself transplanted from my familiar American soil to the enchanting cityscape of Paris.
The series was created by Darren Star, a veteran in the business who is known for creating iconic shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Younger. He is also the man behind Sex and the City and its sequel spin-off And Just Like That…This has fans wondering if the two shows are connected in any way.
Is Emily in Paris Connected to Sex and the City?
Although Emily in Paris and Sex and the City possess a similar playful vibe as they address comparable themes, it’s important to note that these two shows do not share any connections whatsoever. However, they exhibit some striking resemblances that can’t be overlooked. Both series chronicle the journey of a stylish, self-reliant female character navigating her professional and romantic life. Despite Emily being in her twenties and Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) being in her thirties when Sex and the City debuted, they share numerous parallels.
Emily and Carrie each have distinct methods of reaching their professional audiences. Emily, with her expertise, connects with clients interested in an array of products such as makeup, skincare, perfumes, and champagne. She excels at utilizing social media platforms to create viral campaigns. In contrast, Carrie finds her audience among those seeking dating advice in New York City. She uses traditional laptop writing for her weekly column, published both online and offline, to share inspiring and relatable stories. Both women have built strong reputations in their respective fields.
At first, Emily feels out of place, but she encounters Mindy (Ashley Park), another fresh arrival in Paris who shares her passion for fashion. Emily also becomes friends with Camille (Camille Razat), although their friendship is complicated as they both pursue the same man.
In stark contrast, Carrie’s friend circle consists of Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha, forming an unstoppable quartet. They openly discuss their professional, romantic, sexual, and personal tribulations among themselves. Unlike some stories we hear, there were no love triangles within this group; each woman had distinct preferences when it came to men and relationships.
In essence, similar to how Carrie frequently found herself in complicated love situations with multiple men, such as Aiden (John Corbett) and Mr. Big/John (Chris Noth), Emily also experiences this pattern, mirroring her love triangle with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount). Remarkably, both Carrie and Emily seem to encounter romantic possibilities everywhere they turn and struggle with the dilemma of desiring love while needing some personal space. However, their attempts at solitude seldom endure for either woman.
Despite significant differences in their settings, both shows significantly romanticize their respective locations, painting them as idyllic dreams for many viewers. “Sex and the City” transformed New York City into a destination where women yearned to don extravagant attire, enjoy leisurely brunches with friends on patios, sipping Cosmopolitans in hand. The chaotic energy of the city, teeming with socialites, boisterous inhabitants, and the elusive taxi cabs, are portrayed as endearing quirks that enhance the city’s allure. The series successfully captures the distinct charm of New York City, a quality that both locals and tourists alike either cherish or criticize.
The series “Emily in Paris” mirrors the allure that Paris holds for Emily, making her stay despite criticism for its portrayal of Parisian stereotypes. Similar to how “Sex and the City” captivated audiences with its depiction of New York, Emily in Paris enchants viewers with its portrayal of handsome French men, an abundance of pastries, a calmer pace, and striking fashion and culture.
The Crossover Potential Between Emily in Paris and Sex and the City
One significant overlap between these two series lies in the fact that Samantha, who is employed in public relations, operates in a related sector. Given this, it’s quite possible that in her role, Samantha could potentially collaborate with numerous European clients and marketing firms similar to Agence Grateau. The connection among clients, marketers, and publicists often forms a tightly-knit network, making it feasible to assume that she might have encountered Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) at some point.
Ever since Samantha relocated to London for her new job as a publicist, it’s quite convenient for her to be so close to Paris. Given this proximity and the fact that she often works with clients, some fans are intrigued and speculate that she could potentially make an appearance in the show Emily in Paris.
It’s being speculated that Cattrall attended the Season 3 premiere of the show. In an interview with Glamour, he expressed skepticism about casting for the sake of casting alone. However, he left room for uncertainty, hinting that a cameo might occur if it was a suitable role for her. Moreover, he mentioned that Cattrall could inject some dynamic energy into the series.
In her interview with ET Online back in May 2023, Sarah Jessica Parker’s co-star from Sex and the City, Kim Cattrall, expressed that “we’ll have to wait and see what happens” about a potential reunion. At that time, she was engrossed in her new movie project, titled About My Father, as well as the series Glamorous. Unfortunately, the latter was axed in November 2023 after its debut season, leaving an open schedule for Cattrall, which might allow for a possible comeback.
In the first five episodes of Season 4 of Emily in Paris, released mid-August 2024, Cattrall was noticeably absent, leaving many fans disappointed. However, there are still five more episodes scheduled for September 12, 2024. After the season premiere, creator Darren Star hinted to The Hollywood Reporter in August that a possible appearance from Samantha Jones might not be feasible.
He expressed his deep admiration for her and hoped to create a fantastic opportunity for her to appear on the program. He further stated that she is an exceptional actress capable of taking on various roles. When questioned further, he mentioned his desire for this collaboration to occur and suggested reaching out to HBO, hinting it might involve character rights. It was reported by The New York Times in January 2024 that HBO was granting Netflix the license to stream Sex and the City. However, this agreement may not encompass the ability to use characters within Netflix’s original productions.
In other words, spectators can have optimism that Cattrall may make an appearance on the program in some capacity as a guest star. However, it’s important to note that this might not be in the role of Samantha Jones. She could instead be a friend or competitor of Sylvie’s, or perhaps someone Agence Grateau collaborates with professionally. In any case, this setup eliminates the possibility of a direct link to Sex and the City. That being said, it’s undeniable that Cattrall would excel in whatever role she is given on this show and would seamlessly fit into the cast.
What Fans Say About a Connection Between the Shows
Although Emily in Paris and Sex and the City have distinct personalities and narratives, they share some striking similarities in their treatment of fashion, love lives, love tangles, and the unique tone each series uses in dialogue, pacing, and character types. For instance, the romantic portrayal of a city, the captivating style, and the love interests are often compared by Reddit user takemetothelostcity, but they acknowledge that the shows differ significantly overall. The audience for Sex and the City was typically older, mature women seeking a more authentic depiction of female thoughts, challenges, and friendships.
The show “Emily in Paris” appears to share similarities with the brief prequel series “The Carrie Diaries“, which focused on Carrie’s early years in New York as she was trying to establish her career. TDollasign562 notes that unlike “Sex and the City“, which occasionally features whimsical, unrealistic, or humorous elements, “Emily in Paris” consistently encompasses all three of these aspects.
As a fan who appreciates a good comparison, I find myself drawn to the perspective of Redditor creepycrawley182, who likens Emily in Paris to what Carrie Bradshaw might pen if she ventured into Young Adult fiction. In essence, he’s saying that Emily in Paris has elements reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw writing for younger audiences. “The storyline, the ensembles, the selective depiction of French culture…It feels like a young adult fiction series penned by Carrie Bradshaw.” To put it simply, Emily in Paris is a delightful, lighthearted escape that’s meant to be enjoyed without excessive analysis. In contrast, Sex and the City was a more mature series, aiming to portray both a realistic and aspirational depiction of an older, single woman navigating city life. Despite their shared fashion, love interests, and friendships, Emily in Paris and Sex and the City are fundamentally distinct from one another.
These shows, unmistakably created by Darren Star, share similarities yet have distinct appeals. Enjoying one doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll enjoy the other, but they both occupy a unique space in TV entertainment. Each offers a fresh perspective on escapist television, sparking conversations and encouraging viewer engagement. You can watch Emily in Paris on Netflix or Sex and the City on Max.
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2024-08-22 00:32