Sex and The City hunk Gilles Marini claims ‘it's time' for And Just Like That ‘to go' as fans slam ‘insufferable' show
The French actor appeared in the first movie based on the hit HBO show in 2008 as a love interest for Kim Cattrall's character, Samantha.
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His iconic naked shower scene - that involved hours of filming - launched his acting career and later resulted in a stint on Dancing With the Stars.
And although he's entirely grateful for the show, he feels the writers need to go in a new direction after 'And Just Like That...' was slammed as "insufferable" by die-hard fans.
In an exclusive chat with The U.S. Sun, he said, "Everything takes its time. It goes up, and then it goes down [in popularity]. We have to know and understand when it's time to go."
He feels viewers would still love to see more of the iconic characters, but a different spin-off may work instead of continuing to focus on Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker.
"Maybe taking the side of one of the characters and having this history behind of Sex and The City," he said.
"But making something so clearly different.. somebody else come in with something new, you know? Really fresh, like the storyline has to be completely shattered.
"And something that is meaningful nowadays. Everybody loved this show because everybody could relate. Let's have a show where really everyone can relate a little bit [more]."
He said he was aware of the criticism surrounding the show but would also love to hear from those who have watched And Just Like That but never seen the original series.
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Some TV critics have complained that the show's characters are now unlikeable and the show has become "unbearable to watch," while viewers have joked that the latest season was "written by AI".
And Just Like That premiered in December 2021 and focuses on Carrie and friends Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York as they navigate life in their 50s in New York City.
Fans were stunned to learn of the death of her husband, Big [played by Chris Noth], and actress Kim has only appeared in a cameo after bowing out of returning as a full-time cast member.
The third season has seen Carrie struggle to work out her relationship with ex-fiance Aidan Shaw, who is dealing with family drama in Virginia.
Despite its critics, Marini says he has loved seeing the main characters back on screen and would not turn down the opportunity to appear in the future.
He said, "If I got the call… I'd run to it. Absolutely. I think one of the most amazing things that I had the chance to do in my life was Sex And The City."
Asked about Kim's decision not to reprise her role, he added, "To each their own. Sometimes people want to start something, and then when they're done, they're done with it.
"At the end of it, look at the career she has, I mean, everything she's done. She doesn't need [anything]. It's her decision, of course."
He told The U.S. Sun had never seen the show before he was cast and had no idea at the time of the impact it had.
Marini recalled, "Michael Patrick King, the director of the film, he said, 'Listen, when the movie comes out, your life will never be the same and your phone will never stop ringing'. And I'm like, why? Why is he saying that? And now I know why he said that.
I had never watched the show before, and I think that was key in me getting the part."
Actor Gilles Marini
"At the end of the day he [Marini's character] was not just a guy. What was very interesting is when I developed that character in my mind, it was important for me for [women] to understand that this man is just not like .. he's gonna have sex with you.
"No matter what, the moment spent with him will be unforgettable.
"He loves what he does. He loves to be with women. And he's the near image in a way of Kim Cattrall's character a couple of years prior.
"I needed to play him so that you're not ever threatened. [He's] just a guy that loves to make love.
"I've never watched it back, but everybody sends me the scenes every day because ... guys and girls, whatever flavor, send me it, 'Oh look, it's in Korean, it's in Russian, it's in Spanish'.
"Every time I hear myself in a different language, I can't resist. I have to post it.
"I had never watched the show before, and I think that was key in me getting the part.
"But it's an educational show for men. If you're a man and you watch Sex and The City, you understand a lot more the psyche of women. And you get along with them a lot better."
Years on from the scene that set pulses racing, Marini has managed to keep his physique in top-tip shape, but said taking care of his health is important, it's not about being a pin-up.
"I keep myself in shape because I like to be more of an inspiration than someone that's given up on [themselves]," he said. "I'm about to be 50 years old."
Marini is still getting plenty of roles and is also working on a movie, telling The U.S. Sun he's happy to be back in action after the pandemic saw productions in Hollywood grind to a halt.
"I'm very excited about the kind of reverse of Hollywood. It has to happen, he said.
"Because it's been like really insane for a lot of people, including myself, since the pandemic.
"Hollywood should be seen as the leader of everything [in movies]. The last time I shot something here was at Warner Bros.
"And you could tell that it was not immensely busy. And that was not even a year ago. I want to work. I must export myself elsewhere.
"I just shot a film with a beautiful Kym Johnson, one of the all-time leaders of everything in Dancing With the Stars, that I adore.
"She's amazing. And she wanted to do a beautiful film, with dancing and Christmas and love. Christmas in a ballroom. We cannot wait.
"It's was very sweet. It was cool. It was difficult for me because I went back to kind of dancing. [Bu] it went more than well. She's just phenomenal. I can't wait to see her again."
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