The iconic Sex and the City chronicles the lives of four very different women who navigate the ups and downs as thirtysomethings (and Samantha) in New York City. Men come and go, but the bond that exists between Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda is forever. Assorted lovers, boyfriends, friends and frenemies come in and out of the core four's lives, and some have a more lasting impact than others.
Sex and the City season 1 introduces the four main characters along with favorites like Stanford Blatch and Mr. Big. It also features cameos from Timothy Olyphant and Justin Theroux. But some cast don't show up until later. Here are the 10 best characters who aren't in the first season.
Aidan Shaw
At the end of the series, Carrie finally finds lasting love with Mr. Big, whom she begins dating during season 1. But the sex columnist's other great love is furniture designer Aidan Shaw. After breaking up and making up with commitment-phobe Big during the series' first two seasons, Carrie meets the rugged and sweet Aidan in season 3's "No Ifs, Ands or Butts."
Aidan is the antithesis of Big. He's emotionally available and ready, willing and able to make room for Carrie in his life — which is why she is so determined to screw it up.
Carrie's infidelity (with a married Big no less) causes Aidan to break things off, only to return in season 4 looking hotter than ever. Carrie wins him back, but his more traditional ideas about dating and marriage make him and Carrie a bad fit, causing another heart-wrenching breakup. The chapter on this romance officially closes during season 6 when Carrie runs into Aidan on the street and discovers he has a wife and a baby.
Smith Jerrod
Jerry "Smith" Jerrod hooks up with Samantha on season 6's "Great Sexpectations." Samantha's only other serious relationships are with James, a man whom Samantha loves but isn't the right...fit, and hotel magnate Richard Wright who remains one of the most unappealing ing characters to ever appear on the show.
Not only are Samantha and Smith sexually compatible, but she also uses her considerable talents as a PR maven to turn Smith into a huge star. He sticks with her as she battles breast cancer, shaving his head in solidarity and reassuring her better days lay ahead. Samantha does her best to push Smith away, but this young model-actor goes with the flow, eventually winning her over. The two are happily monogamous when the series ends.
Steve Brady
Of all the ladies, Miranda is the most cynical when it comes to finding her soulmate. She certainly doesn't expect a one-night stand with bartender Steve Brady on season 2's "The Man, The Myth, The Viagra" to evolve into anything more. Steve is a blue-collar guy who is crazy about Miranda and eventually his considerable charm makes her come around. But differences in lifestyle and socioeconomic background prove to be too much, and their romance ends just a few episodes later.
Throughout four seasons, Steve goes from boyfriend to friend, to friends with benefits to baby daddy, back to boyfriend and finally the twosome tie the knot in a very low-key wedding ceremony during season 6's "The Ick Factor." Steve embraces Miranda's determination to put her own twist on the traditional roles of wife and mother, and she learns that the guy she takes for granted for so long is a "core-shaker."
Robert Leeds
After giving birth to son Brady in the season four finale, Miranda experiences a bit of a dry spell. Trying to juggle her stressful job, the demands of motherhood and her feelings for Steve, Miranda doesn't have time to sleep much less date. But she finally catches a break during season 6 when she encounters Dr. Robert Leeds, a sexy sports medicine doctor for the New York Knicks. Their chemistry is instantaneous, and Robert loves playing doctor with Miranda.
Robert may be perfect, but he isn't perfect for Miranda. Their short-lived romance provides the much-needed and long overdue nudge Miranda and Steve need to get back together. If only Miranda didn't wait until after Robert presents her with a giant cookie with "I Love You" written on top to dump him. Awkward.
Anthony Marentino
With three best friends who aren't the marrying kind, newly-engaged Charlotte enlists the help of the unapologetically-brash Anthony Marentino to help her plan her big day during season 3. Anthony is the yin to Charlotte's yang, and he's by her side after her marriage to Trey MacDougal falls apart. Anthony becomes Charlotte's go-to guy, serving as her guide as she reenters the dating scene.
Anthony is a man of many talents. He's not only a premier wedding planner, but he organizes photo shoots and makes Carrie's book launch completely fabulous. Anthony is the guy who says out loud what everyone else is thinking and makes no apologies. He and Charlotte are proof that opposites attract.
Harry Goldenblatt
Nobody would have thought WASPy princess Charlotte would fall for a self-professed schlub like Harry Goldenblatt. Charlotte meets Harry during season 5, and the affable divorce attorney becomes Charlotte's unlikely beau.
He's sweaty, he's hairy, and he falls hard for Charlotte despite her constant criticisms, which he endures with patience and humor. After her seemingly picture-perfect marriage to Trey blows up, Charlotte finally realizes that when it comes to love, it's what's on the inside that counts.
Magda
Miranda hires Magda as her housekeeper on season 3's "Attack of the 5'10"Woman." There's a period of adjustment as Miranda learns to open her home and personal space to the well-intentioned if not old-fashioned woman. When Brady is born, Magda is essential in helping to raise him.
Magda is a nanny, a matchmaker and an all-around caretaker. She has a way of letting her employer know what she's thinking with just a look, managing to hold her own against an attorney who can be tough as nails.
Enid Frick
Carrie may be considered a big deal to some, but one person not impressed by the writer is Vogue editor Enid Frick, whom Carrie first meets during season 4. When Carrie begins freelancing for the famed fashion magazine, Enid quickly cuts her down to size.
On the outside, Enid appears to have it all, but she's plagued by insecurities and man troubles — she's just better at hiding it. Despite Enid's tepid relationship with Carrie, the duo manages to find some common ground when it comes to their love lives, or in Enid's case, her lack thereof.
Maria Diega Reyes
Samantha doesn't just dip her toe into the lady pool at the start of season 4 — she dives right in with artist Maria. Samantha finds a real connection with Maria, who teaches her all about the wonders of the female body and lesbian sex. While they connect on an emotional level as well, Maria's jealousy over Samantha's former lovers and Samantha's reluctance to enter into a truly intimate relationship prove to be impossible obstacles for the couple to overcome. But for a brief period, Maria brings out a whole new side of Samantha.
Courtney Masterson
Carrie's career gets a big bump during season 5 when book editor Courtney Masterson decides her columns will make a great book. Courtney is charismatic, smart, ambitious and funny. She's ionate about the writers she works with, including Jack Berger, who meets Carrie through Courtney and goes on to become Carrie's love interest in season 6. If only we got to see more of Courtney, who only appears in four episodes.