Sarah Jessica Parker: From ‘Sex and the City’ to ‘Divorce’

SARAH Jessica Parker in “Divorce” HBO

LOS ANGELES—Sarah Jessica Parker goes from “Sex and the City (SATC)” to “Divorce.” From her iconic, stiletto-wearing fashionista Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica transforms herself into a used-clothes wearing mother of two who is going through a strained relationship, not with Mr. Big, but with her husband, Robert (Thomas Haden Church).

It’s been 12 years since Sarah Jessica last appeared as the lovelorn writer in the hit series that ran from 1998 to 2004. In her return to HBO, the actress still plays a New Yorker, but this time, she lives in Westchester, not in Manhattan.

The half-hour series is billed as a comedy, but it isn’t laugh-a-minute fare. Sarah Jessica’s Frances and Robert are going through the challenges of a divorce after more than 10 years of marriage. SATC it definitely is not. “Divorce” premieres on HBO in the United States on Oct. 9.

In real life, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress will celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary next year with actor Matthew Broderick. They have a son, James Wilkie, 13, and twin daughters, Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge, 7.

In this chat, Sarah Jessica was still very much a fashionista—she wore a white Jean Baptiste dress and a pair of shoes from her own SJP fashion line.

Excerpts from our conversation:

What made you decide to return to television?

My partner Alison Benson and I have been working on this show for about four years as producers and developing it, with not myself in mind at all.

At a certain point in the process, it became clear to me that HBO thought I was participating onscreen as well as offscreen. I was confounded by that.

I considered it obviously in a serious way, because I understood what that kind of commitment means, what I learned from producing, the time, energy and emotion it deserves and calls for.

As the project moved along, I just couldn’t say no. Michael Lombardo (who was HBO programming president at the time) was so enthusiastic about the idea.

How does it feel to be shooting a series again after a long break?

I worked in television for so long. I love television, the pace, urgency and even the constraints. I like the liberties and the long life that it allows for the development of a character.

Once you’re back on a set, it’s something that is such a natural place for me to be. To no surprise, I discovered that I love being there again.

Can you talk about your character, Frances?

I love who she is. It doesn’t mean that I feel that her choices are always honorable or even principled, but I recognize that she is like a lot of men and women in marriages who are feeling weary. There’s an inertia that she feels is deadening.

The line that best describes it is when she says, “Sometimes, I feel happy and I come home. I see your car in the driveway and my heart sinks.”

That’s something that people feel, and it takes courage to say it. She also says, “I want to save my life while I still have a chance.”

Divorce is usually portrayed as an absurd comedy or a heartbreaking drama. How are you treating it in the show?

From the beginning, we wanted it to be real. But we recognized that … there are things about it that are ridiculous or humorous, and amusing.

You are portraying a mom with kids. Being a mother yourself, how is that experience?

It feels very real to me. I have a son, who’s almost 14, and 7-year-old twin daughters. I particularly like these actors who are playing our children.

You are celebrating 20 years of marriage next year. Can you relate to some of the issues in the show?

Even if my marriage is very different from Robert and Frances’ marriage, I understand how hard it is to parent together and to be philosophically aligned, because we are human beings. We have different thoughts and ideas, and we come from different backgrounds.

How much did you personally know about divorce before this show?

My parents were divorced when I was an infant. I have siblings who are no longer married and are divorced. Alison and I, (writers) Paul (Simms) and Sharon (Horgan) have talked to lots of different people about this particular chapter in their lives.  So, we have lots of stories.

What can you reveal about Robert, Thomas Haden Church’s character?

You see somebody who is really despondent about the idea of divorce, then afterward, he has these revelations about Frances.

It turns cruel and ugly and maybe, some might argue, rightfully so. He’s hurt and feeling betrayed.

Talk about your casting choice of Thomas.

I was afraid that everybody was going to say no, because Thomas hadn’t worked in television in so long.

But I had done a movie with him many years before. I loved him and thought he was so special.

Thomas said yes pretty quickly. He is such a special actor.

Your wardrobe in the show is completely different from Carrie Bradshaw’s in SATC. How did you decide on Frances’ look?

Our costume designer (Arjun Bhasin) is incredibly gifted. From the beginning, I talked a lot about ’70s cinema.

We wanted something very specific. I don’t think of it as conservative at all. It’s actually modern and wonderfully feminine, but it’s not form-fitting.

I love it.

SARAH Jessica Parker Ruben V. Nepales

How are you guiding your son in this age of the internet and social media?

Just good honest parenting—giving good information and not making things verboten. But rather, talking about the things that are of concern to myself and to Matthew, not laying down hard and fast rigid rules without explaining why we have these feelings and what we think is safe for him, how he has to start determining safety on his own, and how to make good smart choices.

How do you find time for your SJP fashion line?

You just find the time. You sort it out and squeeze it in. You are up late and are up early. I squeeze in sleep when I am tired.

Are your children interested in performing or fashion?

The children are well and healthy and, no, they aren’t interested in performing or fashion.

My son is 13, so he has a certain vanity that seems age-appropriate. But they (her children) are interested in a lot of things. Their interests seem fleeting, like they should be as they’re trying out a bunch of things.

What, for you personally, is a woman at this moment?

She is many things. She is running for the President of the United States of America. She is anonymous and holding down three or four jobs. She is alone. She is with children or without.

She is a member of a union, working for union pay and wages. She is an artist. She is an architect.  She is a writer and a reporter. She is a friend, and she is a romantic partner.

Can you talk about what age means to you at this stage in your life?

I don’t really think about it unless somebody wants to do an article about Instagram for mature ladies.

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