Cynthia Nixon Reflects: Unveiling Miranda Hobbes, Feminism, And The Evolving Legacy Of Sex And The City
For a quarter of a century, Cynthia Nixon has been synonymous with Miranda Hobbes, the sharp-witted, pragmatic attorney from HBO's groundbreaking series, Sex and the City. As the show continues to resonate with audiences, both old and new, and sparks fresh conversations with its revival, And Just Like That…, Nixon herself has offered candid and insightful reflections on her time inhabiting the iconic character and the show's broader cultural impact. In recent interviews, particularly a significant conversation with Grazia published on Monday, May 26, the actress, now 59, has peeled back the layers, revealing what she cherished, what she found challenging, and what, in hindsight, she believes could have been different.
Miranda Hobbes: An Iconic Role and a Personal Connection
Born in New York City on April 9, 1966, Cynthia Ellen Nixon was already an accomplished actress, having made her film debut in “Little Darlings” in 1980, long before she landed the role that would define a generation. When Sex and the City first debuted in 1998, introducing viewers to ambitious attorney Miranda Hobbes, Nixon was 32 years old. Based on a newspaper column by Candace Bushnell, the series quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with Miranda standing out for her intelligence, cynicism, and refreshingly no-nonsense approach to life and love, often serving as the grounded counterpoint to Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw.
Over two decades later, Nixon reveals a deeper, more profound connection to her iconic character. She has found herself relating to Miranda Hobbes more and more since the show first premiered 25 years ago, though not necessarily for the reasons fans might initially assume. This evolving relationship with her character speaks volumes about the enduring complexity of Miranda and how life experiences can shift our perceptions.
Miranda's Queerness: A Long-Held Belief
One particularly insightful revelation from Nixon is her long-standing belief about Miranda's identity. Cynthia Nixon says she always thought her Sex and the City character, Miranda, was queer and had “lesbianic qualities about her.” This perspective adds a fascinating and deeply personal layer to the character, especially considering Miranda's journey in And Just Like That…, where she explores her sexuality and enters a relationship with Che Diaz. For Nixon, this wasn't a new development for the character but an affirmation of qualities she perceived from the very beginning.
Sex and the City: A Feminist Show, Despite Its Shortcomings
Despite the passage of time and evolving societal norms, Cynthia Nixon remains steadfast in her conviction that Sex and the City endures as “a feminist show — it’s always been a feminist show.” She consistently affirms this, acknowledging its groundbreaking portrayal of female friendships, careers, and sexuality at a time when such topics were rarely explored with such candor and focus on mainstream television. The series bravely tackled themes of female independence, sexual liberation, and the complexities of modern womanhood, which resonated deeply with millions.
While Cynthia Nixon feels that, in her words, 90 percent of Sex and the City is “still pretty great,” and admits that the series has “always been a feminist show,” there are aspects—or rather, several aspects—that she openly discusses as not having aged well. Her willingness to critically assess the show, even while celebrating its strengths, offers a nuanced and honest perspective.
The Uncomfortable Truths: What Didn't Age Well
In her recent interview with Grazia, Cynthia Nixon revealed what she loved about Sex and the City — and everything she hates about it now, over 20 years later. She has been candid about the parts of Sex and the City that she believes haven't aged well since it first aired in the 90s, and she hasn't shied away from listing the aspects of the series that haven't "aged well." These include:
- Lack of Diversity: Nixon has explicitly reflected on Sex and the City, addressing its glaring lack of diversity. The original series, set in one of the world's most multicultural cities, often presented a surprisingly homogenous New York, failing to adequately reflect the vibrant tapestry of the city's population. This oversight is a common critique of the original series and something the revival has attempted to address.
- Outdated LGBTQ+ Portrayals: She also pointed out the show's outdated LGBTQ+ portrayals. While the series touched on various sexual themes, its understanding and representation of queer identities were, by today's standards, often simplistic, stereotypical, or simply absent. This is particularly poignant given her long-held belief about Miranda's own queer qualities.
- Other Shortcomings and "Hates": Beyond these specific points, Cynthia Nixon has revealed what aspects of Sex and the City didn't age well, and how it is still a feminist show despite its shortcomings. She generally refers to "shortcomings" and parts she "hated" about the popular HBO sitcom. These often relate to the show's occasionally narrow perspective on relationships, wealth, and lifestyle, which sometimes felt disconnected from the realities faced by many women, focusing predominantly on a specific socio-economic bubble in Manhattan.
The Evolution of a Star and Her Stance
Cynthia Nixon's journey with Sex and the City has been as dynamic as the city itself. After Sex and the City ended in 2004, Cynthia Nixon couldn't imagine doing a reboot. "I never thought there would be a movie," the actor says in an interview on Q with Tom. Yet, here we are, with two feature films and a revival series, And Just Like That…, and Nixon has embraced the opportunity to revisit her character and the show's legacy with a newfound frankness.
Her candidness, especially in the recent Grazia interview, where she finally revealed the three things she “hated” about the popular HBO sitcom, is refreshing. It speaks to her growth as an artist and her willingness to critically assess the work she's been a part of, even as it continues to define a significant portion of her public persona. We may be accustomed to Manhattan career girls exchanging their high heels for trainers when they leave the office, but Cynthia Nixon sheds her red stilettos at the end of our interview, symbolizing her comfort in speaking her truth, stepping out of character, and reflecting on the iconic show with honesty and a clear perspective.
The Samantha Jones Factor
While Nixon's focus is largely on Miranda and the show's overarching themes and evolution, the enduring impact of another character, Samantha Jones, played by former co-star Kim Cattrall, is also an undeniable part of the Sex and the City narrative. The “Sex and the City” actors were asked about their former co-star Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha Jones — whom fans have missed in the show’s revival, “And Just Like That…” Indeed, Sex and the City fans don’t play about Samantha Jones, no matter what the cast of And Just Like That… thinks about her. This sentiment underscores the passionate connection viewers have with all the characters, even as the show evolves and faces challenges in its continuation.
Cynthia Nixon's reflections on Sex and the City offer a rich, multi-faceted perspective on a cultural phenomenon. From her long-held belief in Miranda's queer identity to her unwavering affirmation of the show's feminist message, even while acknowledging its significant shortcomings in diversity and representation, Nixon provides a valuable lens through which to view Sex and the City today. Her candidness allows fans to appreciate the show's enduring strengths while also understanding its limitations, ensuring that the conversation around Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and yes, Samantha, continues to evolve, just like the women they portray.
Sex and The City starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Cynthia
Cynthia Nixon - Gallery of Movie Screen Captures
Cynthia Nixon - Gallery of Movie Screen Captures
