For anyone who saw the second Sex and the City movie, you know your favorite foursome of ladies might have overstayed their welcome. What was once a fairly relatable story (minus a few Samantha story lines - I was always a Miranda fan) became a fashion show cheese fest. But like most fans I'll be first in line to see Sex and the City 8: The Golden Years where Manolo Blahniks are replaced with house slippers in a quest to conquer the fashion of old age.
No matter how badly butchered the story lines might be, you still care for these women and their struggles to find love. So when I found out the the CW has picked up a series based on the prequel to the Sex and the City story, I became overwhelmed with sceptical excitement. So many questions ran through my head: Will the ladies be just as fashion forward in the 80's? Did Samantha always have a heightened libido? Will we ever find out why Miranda dyes her hair red? But most importantly I asked myself, Who will play Carrie Bradshaw?
My personal favorite is Blake Lively. She resembles Sarah Jessica Parker (more so if you squint, but still), and she already has experiences being a New York fashionista. While Lively is the frontrunner, it's not going to happen. With her booming movie career, I doubt she'll jump from one CW show to the other (she's currently starring as one of the leads in the highly popular 'Gossip Girl').
My favorite underdog is the 'other' Olsen sister ... I mean Elizabeth Olsen. She's slowly becoming an it girl in Hollywood and I feel she is somewhat unexpected. She's a big name (well her last name is) and she seems to be approaching the road to stardom the old fashioned way; proving her acting chops in small movies. This could easily be the vehicle to propel her to mainstream fame if she is willing to challenge critics and fans with her portrayal.
Given that the CW likes to hire from the same actress pool; I think that there are a few other names that are much more likely than either of my favorites. Katie Cassidy could finally get a lead role after making the rounds for the last few years; though she is facing stiff competition from the likes of Ashley Tisdale and Aly Michalka. While all are fine actresses I really hope that the CW doesn't go down this road. I think they need more of a fresh face to bring a young Carrie to life, someone fans won't be expecting.
While this new show already has a season pass on my DVR, I do wonder what it will do to the franchise. Will fans be accepting to the CW style of an HBO show? I think that the only way the series will be successful is if they go as original as possible. They need to make sure it has a unique feel all it's own and doesn't come across as a Sex and the City: The Training Bra Years mess. If it can pull that off I can see a fresh, high school sex drama that will keep the legacy of Carrie and Co. alive and well. But any actress who accepts the role will have a lot to live up to, in both fashion and men.
So what do you think readers? Who's your pick to play Carrie? Should they go with an established name or a fresh face? And do you think we'll ever find out why Miranda dyes her hair red, or are we forever left to wonder?
