Ranking the characters of Sex and the City
First of all, let me say that ranking the characters was pretty hard, there were so many I could have placed in multiple spots, but I tried to follow the so-called rules. We can always agree to disagree.
Sex and the City was full of complex, unforgettable characters, brought to life by incredible actors: Samantha Jones, portrayed brilliantly by Kim Cattrall, who redefined what it meant to be bold and unapologetically independent; Smith Jerrod, played by Jason Lewis, whose charm and empathy made him one of the most underrated partners in the series; and of course, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte, each layered with flaws, strengths, and growth over the years.
10. Trey MacDougal
Trey is… well, Trey. On the surface, he seemed like Charlotte’s dream come true: handsome, wealthy, and from a good family. Let me get things straight though, my problem is not his inability to deal with intimacy issues. The biggest issue with Trey for me was the fact that he knew he had those issues, and he clearly knew how family and marriage oriented Charlotte is, and he still chose to not tell her about his intimacy issues before the marriage. Also this paired with his overbearing mother, made him one of the weakest partners in the series. Trey was more of a narrative stepping stone for Charlotte than a fully fleshed-out partner.
9. Steve Brady
I was honestly debating whether to rank Steve even lower, because I really don’t like him. Throughout the series, he comes across as one of the most childish characters, and his relationship with Miranda fundamentally changed the course of her life. In many ways, I think her life would have turned out better if they had never met at the very least, this wasn’t the future she had once envisioned for herself.
Looking at Steve himself, his immaturity is hard to ignore. He often felt more like Miranda’s dependent than her partner. And then, to top it off, his cheating made an already shaky relationship feel even worse. For someone who already struggled with responsibility that betrayal sealed my dislike of him.
8. Harry Goldenblatt
Harry is definitely a fan favorite, and I understand the appeal. He’s funny, kind, and offers Charlotte the unconditional love she had been searching for all along. Still, I’ve always felt he’s a little overrated. Part of that might come down to timing, he entered the series later than most of the other central partners, and as a result, his character sometimes feels a little flat compared to the rest.
There’s also the ongoing debate about whether Charlotte truly found her soulmate in Harry, or if she simply settled. While I don’t think their relationship is without flaws, I don’t have an issue with the two of them ending up together. In the end, Harry gave Charlotte stability and love.
7. Mr. Big
The ultimate SATC love interest and one of the most toxic. Big was charming, rich, and complicated, but his hot-and-cold treatment of Carrie spanned six seasons. Big represents the fantasy of romance with a “complicated man,” but looking back, he’s a cautionary tale more than an ideal partner.
When it comes to Mr. Big as an individual, I have to admit, I liked him. He represents a very realistic type of person: charming, self-assured, and fiercely independent. His unique sense of humor and the fact that he couldn’t be pushed into something he didn’t want – especially in dating – make him feel authentic. Big didn’t bend to anyone’s expectations, and in that sense, he’s a compelling character.
At the same time, evaluating Mr. Big requires looking at him from two perspectives: as a man in a relationship and as an individual character. That duality is what makes him such a fascinating and divisive figure in the series.
6. Stanford Blatch
Stanford was witty, loyal, and often the voice of reason when Carrie got too caught up in Big drama. He was also one of the first openly gay characters on TV with such visibility, which was important at the time. While I love him and I always had the feeling that he deserved more depth to his character, he was often there just for comic relief. Still, he deserves a solid spot.
5. Charlotte York
Here’s where things get complicated. Charlotte is polished, sweet, and eternally optimistic, which made her a vital part of the group’s dynamic. But I can’t ignore some of her more manipulative moments. One that always stands out is when she put so much pressure on Miranda for not wanting a baby. Undermining her very real doubts and struggles about motherhood.
Charlotte often comes across as judgmental, and at times, she struggles to accept that her friends’ goals and dreams might look very different from her own. Her fixation on the ideal “fairytale” life sometimes blinds her to her friends’ realities, leading her to unintentionally dismiss or pressure them. While her optimism and sweetness are part of what makes her endearing, this tendency adds a layer of complexity to her character.
4. Smith Jerrod
Smith really doesn’t get enough credit. He was supportive of Samantha, never intimidated by her independence, and genuinely in love with her. In a show where men often fell short, Smith was a breath of fresh air. He wasn’t perfect, but he consistently showed up for Samantha without ever trying to control her, making him one of the best partners in the series. There was literally no trace of fragile masculinity in him.
What I loved most was how he accepted Samantha exactly as she was. Too often, people fall in love with an idea of someone and then try to change them once they’re in a relationship. Smith never did that, he knew what he was getting into and embraced it fully. Even when Samantha betrayed him by having an affair with Richard, he had enough empathy to recognize that she was dealing with her own issues (though, yes, what she did was awful). That balance of patience, understanding, and respect makes Smith truly remarkable.
3. Carrie Bradshaw
Carrie is messy, selfish, romantic, and often delusional—but she’s also the heart of the show. Without her narration and perspective, SATC wouldn’t be what it is. Carrie makes awful decisions (Aidan, Big, Aleksandr Petrovsky…), but her flaws make her human. Even when she drives me crazy, she feels real, which is why she ranks so high.
Carrie often gets criticized for ignoring her friends in favor of Big, and to be fair, that did happen at times. But there were countless moments when she truly showed up for the people she cared about. Take, for example, when Miranda ended up in the hospital after a panic attack—Carrie was there for her the entire time.
I think people often focus on Carrie’s flaws because they’re easy to critique, but the truth is, she’s incredibly relatable. It’s easy to make judgments about how someone should act, but being in their shoes often changes everything.
2. Miranda Hobbes
Miranda is, hands down, the most underrated of the core four. She was ambitious, practical, and skeptical, but also deeply vulnerable. Unlike Carrie and Charlotte, Miranda often represented a more grounded, modern take on relationships and work-life balance. She questioned motherhood, struggled with compromise, and wasn’t afraid to call out her friends.
Some people felt that Miranda calling out Carrie was harsh, but I think it showed something important: being a good friend doesn’t mean agreeing with everything your friend does. True friendship is about honesty caring enough to speak up when someone’s actions don’t reflect who they truly are. Miranda’s moments like this highlight her integrity and loyalty, showing that she’s not just supportive, but also courageous enough to hold her friends accountable when it matters.
If SATC aired today, I think Miranda would be seen as one of the most relatable characters of the series.
1. Samantha Jones
No surprise here: Samantha is number one. She was unapologetically herself—bold, funny, fiercely loyal, and never afraid to embrace pleasure or independence. She supported her friends without judgment and had some of the best storylines in the series. Samantha showed that a woman could be successful, sexual, and single without being incomplete. She wasn’t perfect, but she was iconic, and no one else comes close.
She shaped a lead woman character for the next generations.
