Rosie O’Donnell has opened up about an unexpectedly awkward experience on And Just Like That…, revealing that filming an intimate scene with longtime friend Cynthia Nixon left her feeling deeply uncomfortable.
O’Donnell, 64, appeared in the third season of the Sex and the City sequel as Mary, a nun who becomes romantically involved with Nixon’s character, Miranda Hobbes.
O’Donnell Did Not Expect the Role to Include an Intimate Scene
According to O’Donnell, she initially agreed to join the series without realizing that her character would be involved in a bedroom scene.
She recalled Nixon contacting her about the opportunity and telling her that series creator Michael Patrick King had written a scene specifically involving the two actresses. O’Donnell immediately agreed, assuming the part would be relatively straightforward.
That changed when she received the script and discovered how intimate the sequence would be.
“I Was So Nervous”
Speaking during an appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, O’Donnell admitted that the experience was particularly awkward because she was working alongside Nixon, whom she has known for years.
She explained that kissing was not particularly difficult, but portraying the aftermath of an intimate encounter while lying together in bed made her considerably more self-conscious.
O’Donnell also recalled King encouraging the performers to go further with the scene, something she found difficult to navigate.
Mary’s Storyline Surprised Viewers
The storyline itself became one of the more unexpected developments of the third season. Mary is introduced as a reserved nun who develops a relationship with Miranda after the pair meet at a bar.
The character’s sudden romantic storyline generated considerable discussion among viewers, with some fans questioning how the plot fit into the broader And Just Like That… narrative.
O’Donnell acknowledged that she understood why the scene might have felt unusual, saying she was herself surprised by what she was being asked to portray.
O’Donnell Praises Nixon Despite the Awkwardness
Despite her discomfort, O’Donnell had nothing but admiration for Nixon’s professionalism and talent.
She described Nixon as one of the strongest actresses working today and praised her willingness to speak out on issues she believes in. O’Donnell also highlighted Nixon’s commitment to her family and humanitarian causes.
The comments underscored that her unease was about the circumstances of filming rather than any problem with working alongside her longtime friend.
A Rare Experience for the Actress
O’Donnell said her previous experience with intimate scenes was limited, making the And Just Like That… sequence particularly unfamiliar territory.
Her candid account provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on a storyline that generated significant attention from Sex and the City viewers, especially because of the unusual circumstances surrounding Miranda and Mary’s relationship.
And Just Like That… Ends After Three Seasons
The controversy surrounding Mary’s storyline was only one part of the wider debate surrounding And Just Like That…, which frequently divided longtime fans of the original series.
The sequel brought back Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Nixon as Miranda Hobbes and Kristin Davis as Charlotte York. It also introduced several new characters while dramatically changing the lives of the established cast.
Among the most debated developments were Miranda’s relationship with Che Diaz and the death of Mr. Big, while the limited return of Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones remained another major talking point.
Michael Patrick King Decided It Was Time to End the Series
After three seasons, King ultimately announced that And Just Like That… would conclude, saying the decision became apparent while he was writing the third-season finale.
The series had already faced years of criticism from sections of the franchise’s longtime audience, with viewers frequently debating its new characters, storylines and treatment of the original cast.
Despite the backlash, the revival remained a major continuation of the Sex and the City universe and brought its characters to a new chapter before reaching its conclusion.
