‘And Just Like That…’ EPs React to Backlash Over What Happened to Steve
And Just Like That, Steve Brady became unrecognizable to Sex and the City fans everywhere. The beloved bartender turned business owner has emerged in the reboot as a diminished version of his former self and with a crumbling marriage to Miranda Hobbes. Amid much backlash over the handling of his character, two executive producers spoke out to defend Steve’s storyline.
What happened to Steve in ‘And Just Like That…’
The reboot, released in December, finds Steve (David Eigenberg) dealing with various personal challenges, including hearing loss and, most notably, a breakdown in his marriage to Miranda (Cynthia Nixon).
Miranda complains to her friends that the spark just isn’t there anymore and soon finds herself drinking more and hooking up with Che Diaz, Carrie Bradshaw’s boss. Later, when she tries to initiate sex with Steve, he fumbles. But really, it was a half-assed effort on her part anyway.
In any event, divorce is becoming more likely, which is downright heartbreaking to fans of Miranda and Steve, who have weathered so much together. That’s not to say a couple needs to stay together solely because of the amount of time they’ve been together, but the bottom line is, many wish Steve had a more substantial storyline.
Executive producers on ‘And Just Like That…’ responded to Steve’s fate
In an interview with Vanity Fair, And Just Like That… executive producers Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky addressed the backlash and the idea that they gave Eigenberg such a storyline out of spite.
“Everyone on the show, every single person, loves David Eigenberg as a human being,” Zuritsky said. “We love him as an actor. We love Steve [and] are really invested in the Steve-ness of him. He’s so full of life, and the Steves out there are good guys.”
Rottenberg defended Steve’s storyline in And Just Like That… by saying it reflects real-life issues facing many couples.
“Miranda’s journey is representing another reality out there, which a lot of people go through—the reevaluations and transitions in life,” Rottenberg said. “Grown couples grow apart, and people come to epiphanies about what their spouse is or isn’t fulfilling for them. Miranda’s story was very representative of a certain path that a lot of women find themselves on.”
Zuritsky added that viewers would get to hear more from Steve’s perspective in a future episode. Zuritsky specifically teased a “scene” where he’d discuss his own feelings and concerns regarding his relationship.
The next episode finds the characters ‘bewitched, bothered, and bewildered’
In the trailer for the next episode, titled “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” Miranda attends an event in support of Che, where her son, Brady, is also in attendance. When Miranda brings up the situation to Che, Che is put off by the drama and blows her off until Miranda can straighten out her marriage. The next thing you know, Miranda is vowing to talk to Steve and awkwardly sitting down for a conversation.
Watch And Just Like That… now on HBO Max.
