And Just Like That star Nicole Ari Parker is teasing what’s in store for Lisa Todd Wexley next season — but will there be trouble in paradise for her happily married character?
When Max released the official season 3 trailer for the Sex and the City spinoff, fans saw Parker’s character asking Charlotte (Kristin Davis), “It’s OK to have a work crush, right?” Lisa’s husband, Herbert (Chris Jackson), however, has questions after finding a selfie she took with her handsome new colleague, played by Mehcad Brooks.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly for this week’s cover story, Parker revealed that she was surprised by the risky story line — but she couldn’t share many more details.
“I can’t say a word,” she told Us, joking that she “signed so many documents” to stay spoiler-free.
Parker did give credit where it’s due, shouting out Michael Patrick King and his “great writing team of women” behind the scenes.
“They really established the Wexleys [as a couple] … and they put a little danger in there,” she teased.
Viewers met LTW, a documentary filmmaker and mother of three, when AJLT debuted in 2021. Throughout the series, she’s struggled to balance her responsibilities at work and at home, especially as Herbert launches his political campaign. On top of their busy careers, the couple navigated Lisa’s unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage during season 2.
“I just wanted to do it justice,” Parker said of the emotional story line. “And it was difficult to act, in a way, because [the show is] drama and comedy, and you have to bounce back. So my next scene or next episode might be a little lighter. So how do you honor that? … You still have to carry the truth of what your character went through.”
With such a “female-centered” project, Parker knew her character’s journey would strike a chord. “You can feel other women on the page, at the table read,” she continued. “You can feel all the women that might be going through this particular thing or that particular thing. You can feel how responsible you are for the story line.”
Though she can’t spill many secrets about what’s to come when AJLT returns this month, Parker hinted that the drama won’t slow down any time soon. “Every year, I have to be deeper, funnier, sadder, more optimistic, sexier. It is everything. … [The fans] aren’t ready.”
Joining the ranks of already beloved characters like Charlotte, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) in Samantha’s (Kim Cattrall) absence was no easy feat, but Parker told Us she was “just happy to be at the party” when her AJLT journey began.
“I was happy to work and to be in this iconic group of people,” she continued. “I could have been the waiter. I was very happy. But the writers and [Michael Patrick King], they just didn’t let one character be insignificant. They really gave them backstory in the moment, drama and comedy, and no one was unfinished right from the gate. It’s an actor’s dream.”
Parker hinted that there’s even “a little” bit of herself in LTW, but the character has some extra perks. “I’m jealous of her wardrobe,” the actress confessed. “I’m jealous of her apartment. I wish I had her art collection.”
As enviable as the outfits are, they unfortunately aren’t up for grabs when production wraps. “Everything goes back,” Parker told Us. “And some of the iconic pieces are put away.”
And Just Like That season 3 premieres on Max Thursday, May 29, at 9 p.m. ET.
