The character originated by the late Willie Garson lives on in the latest season of “And Just Like That…”
The actor, who died in 2021 at age 57, reprised his role as Stanford Blatch for three episodes when the “Sex and the City” spinoff debuted later that year.
Last season, viewers learned that Stanford moved to Japan for work after asking his husband Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone) for a divorce. When Season Two debuted on June 22, the show gave a sweet update on what the character’s been up to.
The season premiere, which is set three weeks after the Season One finale, follows Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) as she prepares to attend the Met Gala in New York City. She asks her former podcast colleague Jackie Nee (Bobby Lee) if his fashion designer wife Smoke (Bethlehem Million) will make her a dress.
When the couple arrives at Carrie’s apartment one day, Smoke instantly notices the colorful kimono she’s wearing.
“That is a stunning kimono!” she says.
Beaming, Carrie offers the following response: “Oh, thank you. My friend Stanford sent it to me from Japan.
In real life, the show’s stars have been vocal about how much Garson’s loss affected the energy on set. After the first season of premiered in 2021, Cantone said watching his onscreen husband in “And Just Like That…” after his death was “bittersweet.”
Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte York, honored her late friend after his death by sharing a picture from set and a touching tribute on Instagram.