In the bustling streets of Manhattan, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth brought to life the iconic characters of Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big in the magnetic series, *Sex and the City*. The two stars embodied the tumultuous relationship of a mismatched couple irresistibly drawn to each other. However, it may come as a surprise that the role of Mr. Big almost went to a completely different actor before landing in Noth’s capable hands.
The show’s creator, Darren Star, recently disclosed that his initial choice for the role was none other than *30 Rock* actor Alec Baldwin. “I was thinking of Alec Baldwin for Big initially,” he shared with Entertainment Weekly. However, all that changed when Star encountered Chris Noth and saw in him the perfect John James Preston.
Reflecting on his decision, Star noted, “I don’t really watch *Law & Order*, but I met with Chris Noth and thought he was perfect. I remember the first table read, how good he was. I’m not saying that Chris was Mr. Big, but he brought a lot of his own persona to the role.” Indeed, Mr. Big possesses the kind of enigmatic allure that Alec Baldwin could have easily embodied.
In the same vein, Star revealed that the character of Aidan Shaw, portrayed by John Corbett, almost didn’t come to fruition as expected. Initially eyeing Aidan Quinn for the role, Star ultimately landed on Corbett due to Quinn’s unavailability. “I loved John Corbett in *Northern Exposure*, and we were like, ‘Well, what’s John Corbett been up to?’ He just had the laconic, dudish vibe. But we kept ‘Aidan’ because we loved the name,” Star explained.
As we reflect on the breathtaking performances of the ensemble cast of *Sex and the City*, it’s hard to imagine the show without the stellar lineup of Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, and the rest. Each actor brought a unique essence to their character, elevating the series to cult status and solidifying its place in television history.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.