Sarah Jessica Parker reveals what’s next for Carrie and Aidan on And Just Like That…

Michael Patrick King, let’s dissect Aidan’s speech to Carrie outside of her apartment. Whether the audience is Team Aidan or not, talk about the importance for the character to establish those boundaries.

Michael Patrick King: It brings reality. When they first see each other, there’s so much memory and fantasy and chemistry. [But when news] broke that he was coming onto the show, people were like, “What? You going to hurt him again?” People were very aware of the pain. So we want to always show people’s self-awareness. It’s strong to show a character who knows what happened to them and is sort of drawing a line. So when he looks at her and says, “This is where we end it. I don’t want us do this,” it’s important that she acknowledges it too. She doesn’t try to talk him out of it. She says, “I guess time doesn’t heal everything.” It’s a very important speech because he’s drawing a line in the sand, which is, “I’m not going back into that apartment. And by the way, I don’t want to do this if it’s going to be the same thing.” But he feels the energy and the sex and the power and the connection, so much so that he creates a new way to be together, which is going to a hotel. But he does not go up those stairs, and she does not tell him he should.

We’ve seen so many photos and videos of Carrie and Aidan before this episode even aired. Why did you decide to show so much ahead of time?

MPK: When any picture comes from us and not from the paparazzi, it’s been thought out. The idea is everybody knew Carrie and Aidan were in the show, and this is really a dance. We’re basically flirting with you. We’re showing you a little bit and not giving it all away. We’re showing you the kiss, but you don’t know the beginning, middle, and end of that. You don’t even know what happens next. You know there’s a kiss, and you know what she’s wearing. But you still don’t know the details. So that was a very thought-out moment because it gives the audience everything and it gives them not everything. But sometimes we don’t have a choice [with the release of photos] because it’s getting released anyway.

Because the good news about the Sex and the City and Just Like That… dynasty is when [these actors and characters are] on the street, there’s a lot of energy around them. People are excited, and they come and take pictures. So why not us give you the best version of it? Sometimes it’s not by choice, sometimes it’s, well, They’re going to get it anyway.

SAG-AFTRA members are currently on strike and therefore not promoting their film and TV projects. This interview was conducted prior to the strike.

This article originally appeared in GLAMOUR US.