Sarita Choudhury spills the beans on love and friendships in the final season of 'And Just Like That'

The third and final season of “And Just Like That…” has arrived on SA’s small screen.

This signals the conclusion of the "Sex and the City" franchise, which consistently delivered iconic fashion, compelling drama, and celebrated the enduring, unbreakable bond among best friends through life's many challenges and triumphs.

Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt) have returned to the spinoff series, which picks up over a decade later from where the original series ended. 

Now in their 50s, they are navigating life, forging new friendships, and charting new paths.

Aside from Nicole Ari Parker, Sarita Choudhury has been a welcome addition to the cast as Seema Patel. Three seasons in, she shed light on her character and expectations around the final instalment. 

The 59-year-old British actress has been in the industry for 35 years, and during that time, she’s made incredible strides in film, TV and theatre following her breakthrough role in Mira Nair’s “Mississippi Masala” in 1991.

Most of her scenes in  “And Just Like That…” are with Jessica Parker. 

On where Seema finds herself in the third instalment, especially with remembering her worth, Choudhury says, “It's interesting because this season I feel like she has to deal with that question for herself because two unstable situations start happening, and it's funny you asked me that, because it was the first time I think Seema had to give herself that advice.

"There was no one to give her that advice on something she’s always been clear about.

“But when her world starts to crumble, something becomes apparent that advice only works if every area of your life is also working. It doesn't just work in business. If your love isn't working or you don't have friends. And so how do you balance that, you know?”

Given her impressive career, she also shed light on how much representation matters.

“It is so important, and I don't think I realise how much I look for that. So as an actor, I look for character, and then I'm just happy that because I have brown skin and I'm Indian, that's gonna come in naturally, as opposed to the writers informing me how to do that.

“And with this show, the first thing I saw was things like, ‘Oh, she smokes’... This was exciting because this is not a stereotype. And then how do I inform it a little bit with my own touches?”

On inserting herself in an established world with iconic characters, Choudhury revealed, “ Yeah, season one, I was a little terrified.  It was exciting to get the news that I was going to do this, and at the same time, I was like, ‘How am I going to do this?’

“Also, I knew that this show was under the world's eye, people have a lot of love towards the history of the show and their history with this show. And so it was scary. By the time season one finished, I started to feel like, ‘Oh, this could be fun.’’

"Season two became more fun, and season three was the most fun for me because with season two, you don't know if you can repeat what you did in season one or keep that through line. And by season three, I realised, ‘Oh, it's not me playing a character.; it's these friends pulling me in as well’.”

Having forged a solid bond with her co-stars, she’s found her stride with the character as well. 

She also revealed, the best hangout moments are in the make-up room together, catching up on things.

One of the most exciting aspects of a new season is the additions and the plot twists. 

The “Homeland” actress shared: “When we do the read-throughs before every episode, we meet at this huge table with the whole cast and all the guest stars. And I'm always shocked to see who's there; Rosie O'Donnell is here, and Logan Marshall-Green or Patti LuPone.

"I don't get to work with many of them because Seema is either with Carrie or with a man.”

Reflecting on her journey and the formidable roles she’s played, Choudhury shared: “The biggest moment was my first film because it was so unexpected and I was so honoured. That was ‘Mississippi Masala’ with Mira Nair, who thrust me into cinema and gave me so much help. And then I would say, theatre helped me a lot. It gave me confidence. 

“But I think when I did ‘Homeland’, that was the next point where I felt people had seen my work.”

Of course, the seasoned actress has plenty of high-profile projects under her belt, such as “Jessica Jones”, “Little Fires Everywhere”, “Ramy” and “Fallout”.

And can we have a moment to reflect on how hot she looks? 

In the new season, Carrie, aside from dealing with a glitch in the home alarm, is more zen about being apart from Aidan, who is attending to a family issue. She is also writing her first novel. 

In embracing her sexuality, Cynthia unwittingly deflowers a nun. Charlotte is juggling the manic dynamics of family life and her fur baby getting cancelled.

As for Seema, her love life is strained by the busy schedule of her actor bae, forcing her to make a call on the situation. Although the franchise is ending, the relatable story arcs are what continue to appeal to viewers. 

Choudhury admitted: “It's funny, when I used to watch the show (I don't know what age I was when I watched it), but it was so relatable that I was like, 'Oh, my God, she has those thoughts and she made that mistake’. 

“In the show, Seema has problems, she worries, she gets heartbroken. She’s not neurotic, though.”

Season three mirrors life's obstacle course in love, career, and close-knit bonds, all while navigating high fashion and candid revelry.

∎ “And Just Like That…” season three airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Thursdays at 9pm.

Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.