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9 Quick Questions for Kristin Davis

Actress steps back into her role as Charlotte on ‘And Just Like That’

spinner image kristin davis in black outfit against background that is several shades of blue
Photo Collage: MOA Staff; (Source: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)

Kristin Davis, 58, is back on-screen as Charlotte in Season 2 of And Just Like That, the popular Sex and the City reboot. In her personal life, the actress is a passionate animal rights and wildlife conservationist, and has been named this year’s recipient of The Perfect World Foundation Award for her work to increase awareness about the need to protect animals and the environment. Davis shares her views on motherhood, living her best life in her 50s and what we can all learn from elephants.

What was it like playing Charlotte again after an 11-year hiatus?

Oh gosh, it was a dream. A dream. … Everything’s just so great, and whenever you’re working in New York, it’s so magical and amazing. And then getting to come back [for Season 2] is equally great.

spinner image kristin davis as charlotte york holding umbrella, walking dog on sidewalk in a still from and just like that
Davis is back on-screen as Charlotte York in Season 2 of “And Just Like That.”
Craig Blakenhorn/Max

Is this new season lighter and more joyful?

Definitely, because we went through what we went through last season [the sudden death of the character “Big,” played by Christopher Noth]. We're able to open up more, have more fun, more levity and lightness. Carrie [Sarah Jessica Parker] is in the position in life where she can recreate her life, unexpectedly … but that happens to people. It then kind of permeates the show in terms of we go back out in the world more.

Thoughts on Samantha [Kim Cattrall] returning for a cameo this season?

We thought that it would be nice for the 25th anniversary, and we know that the fans miss Samantha. And we were trying to come up with an idea where it would be organic to the story, and we feel like we did. I hope that everybody is happy with it.

What’s changed the most since the cast was together last?

We were never really apart. We weren’t together every day, obviously, but there were never long stretches of time where we didn't see each other, including Michael Patrick [series creator-executive producer Michael Patrick King]. ... I guess, the kids — when we started the show, Cynthia [Nixon] had already had her first child, and then Sarah [Jessica Parker] got pregnant with James, her first child, during the show and had him with [her during] the movie. … It was a progression over time.

spinner image kristin davis as charlotte york and sarah jessica parker as carrie bradshaw in a store in a still from and just like that
Davis stars alongside Sarah Jessica Parker in the “Sex and the City” reboot.
Craig Blakenhorn/Max

What’s the best thing about motherhood [to daughter, Gemma Rose, 11, and son, Wilson, 5]?

It’s challenging in so many ways. Children are fascinating and ever-changing, and you have to really learn about yourself in a different way than anything else that I found. You’ve got to keep up somehow. Like, you get something figured out, and then, like, oh, next week you’re, like, Oh no, now we got a new thing. I like that about it, and I love to watch them go out in the world.  After COVID, [which] really shaped, especially my 5-year-old’s life … it’s so great to be able now to have more freedom and be able to get more out there and do the things they love and make more connections. Today they were at surf camp, and that’s wonderful.

How do you feel about life in your 50s?
I feel great. The 50s are great. It’s so funny that it looms so large in your mind as a number. It’s so good! I really feel like we’re rewriting, as a culture I hope, these kinds of preconceived notions we had about what you were supposed to be doing at what age, or what was acceptable, or attractive. ... It’s time for us to be changing those things. I do feel like it’s changing because all of us are working, which is amazing. When we first started [in acting], you didn’t really work past 30 or 40 — a crazy age — being an actress. You were pretty much done. In that regard, we’ve just been incredibly fortunate and blessed, and we definitely are aware of that.

You’ve done extensive work to raise awareness and funds for wildlife conservation, especially for elephants. What can we learn from these animals?

Oh, there’s so much to learn. First of all, they’re a matriarchal society — that’s really important. Here we are in our regular society, where women over a certain age don’t necessarily have a power position, unless they really fight hard for it. In the elephant society, the matriarchs are the leaders. The matriarchs are the holders of the wisdom. The matriarchs know where the water is. They know that if there’s a drought, they can go here or go there and find water under the ground. They know where to dig, and everyone follows them. All they have to do is turn their head and the whole herd goes with them. But also, the matriarchs are gentle leaders. They’re not alpha leaders. If someone is a threat or an animal is a threat, then they will protect their herd, but they’re not looking to be throwing their weight around, so to speak, unless they have to. I also love [that] in the elephant hierarchy, the aunties really, really raise the babies. It takes a village in elephant land as well. It’s so beautiful to watch. I wish that we could somehow — in our world — get back to things like that, where we did things together. And we weren’t pitted against each other so much, which I feel like social media has kind of created.

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Has your environmentally conscious lifestyle rubbed off on your kids?

Oh, hell yeah. We live in L.A. We’ve got a Tesla. We discuss gas guzzlers every day. My son turns to any of his friends who don’t have an electric car, and he’s, like, “You have a gas guzzler.” ... My daughter is just a general animal lover, tree-hugging child, the way that I feel like all children really are. It’s just trying to find a way for them to channel that and the awareness, because my son can love the electric cars but can't turn his lights off. Sometimes he wants to wear a whole full outfit to bed. And I’m like, “Sweetheart, then I have to turn on the air conditioner. Where’s the energy from?” I try to connect everything to them.

What advice would you give to others about getting involved in philanthropy or conservation efforts?

My advice for getting involved in philanthropic efforts is to choose your cause wisely. Only get involved if you feel really passionate about the issue, and then do your research on any group or initiative you are considering. I personally want to stay committed long-term to the philanthropic groups and issues that I have chosen. I feel like this is most productive for the cause and also most rewarding for myself. 

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