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| Carrie Bradshaw | |
|---|---|
| Sex and the Citycharacter The Carrie Diaries character | |
 Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw | |
| First appearance | Print: "Love at the Bowery Bar, Part II" (1995) (The New York Observer) Television: "Sex and the City" (1998) (Sex and the City) |
| Last appearance | "Party of One" (2025) (And Just Like That...) |
| Created by | Candace Bushnell |
| Adapted by | Darren Star |
| Portrayed by | Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City, films,And Just Like That...) AnnaSophia Robb (The Carrie Diaries) |
| Television duration |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Caroline Marie Bradshaw |
| Nickname | Carrie Kid |
| Occupation | Author Newspaper columnist forThe New York Star Writer atVogue magazine Podcast co-host |
| Family |
|
| Spouse | |
| Nationality | American |
Caroline Marie "Carrie"Bradshaw[1] (laterCarrie Bradshaw Preston) is a fictional character and the protagonist of theHBOmedia franchiseSex and the City, portrayed bySarah Jessica Parker. In the television series and subsequent films, Carrie is aNew York City-based newspapercolumnist and fashion enthusiast (particularly shoes). Her weekly column, titledSex and the City, serves as the narrative framework for each episode, offering commentary on modern relationships, dating, and friendship.
Parker reprised the role in the filmsSex and the City (2008) andSex and the City 2 (2010), as well as in theHBO Max revival seriesAnd Just Like That.... The character was originally created by authorCandace Bushnell and first appeared in her 1997 anthologySex and the City, which was based on her newspaper column of the same name.
Bushnell later expanded on the character’s backstory through the young adult novelsThe Carrie Diaries andSummer and the City. These works were adapted into a CW prequel television series,The Carrie Diaries (2013–2014), in which a teenage version of Carrie was portrayed byAnna Sophia Robb.
Carrie Bradshaw was created by authorCandace Bushnell as a semi-autobiographical character for her columnSex and the City, published inThe New York Observer. Initially introduced without a last name, Carrie was portrayed as Bushnell’s friend—“a journalist in her mid-30s”—allowing the author to write candidly about her personal experiences while maintaining anonymity, particularly from her parents.[2] The character embodied a lifestyle defined by thejuxtaposition of modest earnings and access to New York’s elite social scene. Bushnell’s columns were later compiled into the 1997 bookSex and the City, which served as the basis for the television series. Bushnell collaborated with producerDarren Star to adapt the material for HBO.[3][4]
In theSex and the City franchise, Carrie Bradshaw writes a weekly column titledSex and the City for a fictional newspaper calledThe New York Star. The column focuses on her personal experiences with dating and relationships, as well as those of her close friends. It also includes her reflections on gender dynamics inNew York City. The column gains her a degree of recognition, and some readers view her as a public figure. InSeason 3, her column is optioned for a film project, and bySeason 5, a selection of her columns is published as a book. At the end ofSeason 4, she begins contributingfreelance articles toVogue.
Carrie is often portrayed as emotionally driven, seeking affirmation from romantic partners and others in her life. For example, she becomes preoccupied with a negative review of her book byThe New York Times criticMichiko Kakutani. InSeason 1, her primary conflict involves persuading Mr. Big, her romantic interest, to commit to a serious relationship. The character has drawn criticism for instances of self-centered behavior, which she rarely addresses unless confronted by her friends—Miranda,Samantha, andCharlotte. Despite this, she is depicted as dealing with themes such as relationship commitment, infidelity, personal change for a partner, and emotional vulnerability.
Carrie is frequently shownsmoking, oftenMarlboro Lights, and attempts to quit during Seasons 3 and 4 to please her then-boyfriend, Aidan. Her interest in fashion—particularly footwear—is a recurring element in the series. Her frequent spending on designer shoes, notablyManolo Blahniks, is depicted as causing financial strain.[5]
She is also associated with drinkingcosmopolitans, a cocktail that gained popularity during the show's run.
Although she often expresses doubt about marriage and parenthood, Carrie remains idealistic about love and is determined to pursue romantic relationships that reflect her personal expectations.
Carrie’s life prior to the events ofSex and the City is only briefly referenced. She was born on October 10, 1966.[6] In season 4's "A Vogue Idea", she mentions she has not seen her father since he left her and her mother when she was five years old. In season 3's "Hot Child in the City", she mentions "driving my parents' Oldsmobile without them knowing about it," implying she grew up in a two-parent household. In season 6's "Boy, Interrupted", her high school boyfriend Jeremy mentions he is staying in Connecticut, with the implication they grew up there. InSex and the City 2, she states that she moved to Manhattan on June 11, 1986, at age 21. In the first film, she states that she has lived inManhattan for 20 years, though in the series she says at age 35 that she has lived there for a decade. In season 4, she tells a photographer that during her early years in the city she was so financially constrained that she would choose to buyVogue instead of dinner.
InThe Carrie Diaries, which is notcanon toSex and the City, Carrie is from the fictional town of Castlebury,Connecticut, and was raised by her father after the death of her mother with a sister who was never previously mentioned.[7]
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The Carrie Diaries is a television prequel series set prior to the events ofSex and the City, depicting Carrie’s teenage years. It follows her life in a Connecticut suburb, where she lives with her father and younger sister, Dorrit.
Author Candace Bushnell expanded the character's backstory through a young adult book series, includingSummer and the City: A Carrie Diaries Novel. The novel portrays Carrie attendingBrown University in the 1980s and taking summer writing classes atThe New School. In coverage of the CW adaptation,TV Guide described the younger version of Carrie as navigating early adulthood while experimenting with fashion and exploring relationships.[8]
Carrie's wardrobe inSex and the City is frequently portrayed as high-end and designer-focused, often appearing inconsistent with her income as a newspapercolumnist, particularly before the publication of her book inseason 5. Her spending habits, especially on fashion items such as shoes, contribute to recurring financial issues throughout the series, including maxed-out credit cards, minimal savings, and poor credit. In theseason 1 episode "The Power of Female Sex", Carrie refers to her shoe obsession as a "substance abuse problem."
Several plot points highlight her relationship with luxury fashion. In one episode, she is mugged and loses both herFendi Baguette clutch andManolo Blahnik sandals—an event often credited with popularizing the baguette bag in mainstream fashion.[9] Another signature accessory associated with Carrie is theDior Saddle bag, which she prominently wears in theseason 3 episode "No Ifs, Ands, or Butts".[10][11]
Carrie is depicted as having a strong interest in fashion, once stating that she would purchaseVogue instead of dinner. Her fondness for expensive footwear is a recurring theme; in one episode, Miranda estimates that Carrie owns at least 100 pairs of shoes, each averaging around $400, totaling over $40,000 in footwear alone. The series mentionsBarneys,Bergdorf Goodman,Bloomingdale's, andSaks Fifth Avenue as some of her preferred places to shop.
Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment is a central and frequently used setting inSex and the City, its two feature films, and the first two seasons ofAnd Just Like That.... Described byArchitectural Digest as “one of TV’s most iconic apartments,”[12] it is portrayed as abrownstone located on theUpper East Side ofManhattan at the fictional address of 245 E. 73rd Street.[13] InAnd Just Like That..., Carrie states that she moved into the apartment at age 29 and had lived there for 25 years. The apartment is first seen in the pilot episode, although with a different layout; the design seen throughout the series is introduced in the second episode, "Models and Mortals," following HBO's pickup of the show.
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The apartment is noted to berent-controlled, with Carrie paying $750 per month.[14] InSeason 4, the building is converted into aco-op, requiring her to purchase the unit or vacate. Carrie is unable to afford thedown payment, and her then-boyfriend Aidan Shaw buys both her apartment and the adjacent one with the intention of combining them, but following their breakup, he offers to sell it back to her at cost. Charlotte loans Carrie the funds for the down payment from the sale of her engagement ring.
In the first film,Sex and the City (2008), Carrie sells the apartment to contribute toward purchasing aFifth Avenuepenthouse withMr. Big. After Big abandons her at the altar, she reacquires the apartment and undertakes a renovation before moving back in. InSex and the City 2 (2010), although she lives with Big in the penthouse, she retains ownership of the apartment and occasionally uses it as a writing space.
InAnd Just Like That..., the apartment continues to play a role as apied-à-terre. Following Big’s death, Carrie sells their shared residence on Fifth Avenue and moves back into her original apartment, which she again renovates. The series also features, for the first time, the building’s lobby and the downstairs apartment. InSeason 2, when she rekindles her relationship with Aidan, he refuses to enter the apartment due to its emotional associations. Carrie eventually purchases a townhouse inGramercy Park and sells the apartment to her former neighbor Lisette.[15]
The exterior of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment building was filmed at various brownstone locations during the early seasons ofSex and the City before the production settled on 66 Perry Street in Manhattan’sWest Village starting inSeason 3. This location was chosen for its distinctive staircase, which became visually iconic and was used throughout the remainder of the series.[16] The building’s exterior, often referred to as the "Bradshaw brownstone," has become a popular tourist destination. Due to the high volume of visitors, residents have expressed concerns over foot traffic, prompting the owners to install chains across the stoop and request that the address be blurred onGoogle Maps.[17]
The apartment’s interior was a set constructed atSilvercup Studios inQueens and designed by production designer Jeremy Conway. It was characterized by mint green walls, mid-century modern furnishings, and vintage décor sourced from flea markets in New York City, chosen to contrast with Carrie’s designer wardrobe.[18] InSex and the City (2008), the apartment is renovated with blue walls, metallic and white furniture, and a more modern aesthetic; actorSarah Jessica Parker later expressed disapproval of the redesign.
For the seriesAnd Just Like That..., a new set replicating the apartment’s updated look was built atSteiner Studios inBrooklyn. Production designer Miguel López-Castillo collaborated with Parker on the design, which includes pastel blue walls, blue carnation wallpaper, and several original set pieces from the original series that had been preserved in storage.[12]
"Mr. Big," portrayed byChris Noth, is Carrie Bradshaw's central love interest throughoutSex and the City. They first meet in the pilot episode, and their relationship is defined by repeated cycles of attraction, commitment struggles, and breakups. Big is depicted as wealthy, charming, and emotionally reserved. InSeason 1, his reluctance to commit causes their first breakup. They reunite inSeason 2, but his decision to move toParis without consulting Carrie leads to another separation.
Big later marries a younger woman, Natasha, which shocks Carrie given his prior aversion to marriage. Carrie and Big begin an affair during her relationship with Aidan Shaw, which ends after Natasha discovers them. Carrie and Big agree they are incompatible and attempt to remain friends. Big eventually moves toNapa, California, but continues to call Carrie throughout the series. InSeason 6, followingheart surgery, he proposes they stop "playing games" and consider a future together. However, his continued emotional inconsistency prompts Carrie to distance herself.
In theseries finale, Big follows Carrie to Paris, where they reconcile and he professes his love. Carrie returns to New York with him, and his real name—John—is revealed for the first time.
InSex and the City (2008), the two plan a wedding after purchasing an apartment together. On the wedding day, Big experiences cold feet and fails to show up, prompting a temporary separation. They eventually reconcile and marry in a small civil ceremony. InSex and the City 2 (2010), the couple faces challenges in married life, including differing lifestyle preferences. Carrie kisses her former fiancé Aidan while abroad but later confesses, and she and Big renew their vows. He gives her a black diamond ring as a symbol of commitment.
InAnd Just Like That..., Big dies of aheart attack in the series premiere. Carrie, devastated by his death, sells their apartment and later writes a book about grief.
Aidan Shaw, portrayed byJohn Corbett, is a furniture designer and Carrie's boyfriend duringSeasons 3 and4. Unlike Big, Aidan is emotionally open and ready to commit. He encourages Carrie to quit smoking, and their relationship becomes serious. It ends when Carrie confesses to an affair with Big.
The two later reconcile, but tensions remain due to Carrie's continued contact with Big. Aidan proposes marriage, which Carrie accepts despite reservations. Her reluctance eventually ends the engagement. Aidan later marries someone else and has a child.
InSex and the City 2, Carrie meets Aidan inAbu Dhabi. They kiss despite both being married, but part ways afterward.
InAnd Just Like That..., now divorced and living in Virginia, Aidan rekindles his relationship with the widowed Carrie. He is unwilling to enter her old apartment due to painful memories, prompting her to buy a new one. Carrie and Aidan later carry on a long-distance relationship strained by Aidan's commitments to his teenage sons. After Carrie develops a friendship with her downstairs neighbor Duncan, Aidan admits he does not fully trust her because of her affair with Big during their first relationship, and they break up again.
Jack Berger, played by Ron Livingston, is a novelist Carrie meets through her publisher inSeason 5. Their relationship is marked by witty banter but is undermined by Berger’s insecurities, particularly regarding his own career setbacks in contrast to Carrie’s success.
Their frequent arguments culminate in a breakup, which Berger initiates by leaving Carrie aPost-it note reading, "I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me." Carrie reacts with anger and frustration, viewing the breakup as immature and disrespectful.
InSeason 6, Carrie begins a relationship with Aleksandr Petrovsky (portrayed byMikhail Baryshnikov), a wealthy and established Russian artist. Initially intended to be acasual relationship, their connection deepens and the two begin dating exclusively.
Aleksandr is portrayed as emotionally expressive and supportive, qualities that initially appeal to Carrie. However, he is also shown to be temperamental, withdrawing from Carrie and her friends during a period of creative pressure leading up to an art show. The relationship becomes more complicated when Aleksandr reveals that he has an adult daughter named Chloe and does not wish to become a parent again. Although Carrie remains uncertain about motherhood herself, she chooses to continue the relationship, and the two become more serious. Eventually, Aleksandr invites her to move with him toParis for his upcoming show.
Carrie is conflicted about leaving New York, particularly after Miranda voices concerns about Aleksandr. Nevertheless, she decides to accompany him. Once in Paris, Carrie finds herself isolated and unfulfilled—she speaks little French and Aleksandr is frequently absent due to his professional commitments. Tensions escalate when he asks her to cancel a social engagement to support him at an early showing of his work, only to leave her alone upon arrival. Following an argument about their mismatched expectations, the two end their relationship. Carrie is later reunited with Mr. Big in Paris and returns with him to New York.
Carrie has anon-again, off-again relationship with Sebastian Kydd, beginning with their first kiss at age 15. Their relationship spans the first two seasons ofThe Carrie Diaries and ends when Sebastian relocates toCalifornia while Carrie remains inManhattan.
George is Carrie's second boyfriend inThe Carrie Diaries, whom she meets during herinternship at alaw firm. The relationship ends after an incident in which George attempts to force himself on her, prompting Carrie to break up with him.
Adam Weaver is introduced in the second season ofThe Carrie Diaries as Carrie's third boyfriend, whom she meets through her work atInterview Magazine. The relationship deteriorates after Weaver becomes critical of her writing and later publishes an unflattering article about her.
In Candace Bushnell’s novelSummer and the City, Capote Duncan is introduced as Carrie's classmate atThe New School. Initially, she finds him arrogant and difficult to get along with, but by the end of the novel, it is revealed that he is the person with whom she loses her virginity.
Also appearing inSummer and the City, Bernard Singer is a well-known author with whom Carrie has a brief romantic relationship. She ultimately ends things upon realizing that Bernard does not reciprocate her feelings, and that she is still in love with Capote Duncan.
Books:
Critical reception to Carrie Bradshaw tended to be positive during the show's run and in the years immediately thereafter. In 2004, Carrie Bradshaw was listed as number 11 onBravo's100 Greatest TV Characters.[19][20] In 2009The Guardian named Bradshaw as an icon of the decade, stating that "Carrie Bradshaw did as much to shift the culture around certain women's issues as real-life female groundbreakers."[21] In 2010, Carrie Bradshaw was listed as the 2nd in TV Guide's list "25 Greatest TV Characters of All-Time".AOL ranked her the 41st Most Memorable Female TV Character.[22]TV Guide named her the most fashionable TV character.[23] Her relationship withMr. Big was included inTV Guide's list of the best TV couples of all time.[24] Parker received oneEmmy Award, threeScreen Actors Guild Awards, and fourGolden Globe Awards for her performance.
In retrospective analyses of the show, critics have generally reassessed Carrie Bradshaw as an unsympathetic protagonist, despite the show's portrayal of her as a positive figure. In 2013,Glamour called Carrie "the worst" character on the show, saying that "her brattiness and self-absorption eclipsed her redeeming qualities and even her awesome shoes."[25] In a 2010 retrospective about the previous two decades in pop culture,ABC News named Carrie one of the ten worst characters of the past twenty years, calling her a "snippy, self-righteous Manhattan snob" and citing the character's actions inSex and the City 2 (2010) as evidence that she was beyond personal growth or redemption.[26]The New Yorker, looking back on the show a decade after it went off the air, felt that while the character began as a "happy, curious explorer, out companionably smoking with modellizers," from the second season on she "spun out, becoming anxious, obsessive, and, despite her charm, wildly self-centered."[27] A 2021 article inVox cited Carrie as an example of "main character syndrome", saying, "two Carries Bradshaw exist: The flirty, quirky one we're supposed to follow through her ups and downs and the sociopathic psychic vampire who leaves her boyfriends as husks of their former selves and bullies her girlfriends for unconditional (financial!) support, all while refusing to let them have even one moment in the sun."[28]
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