If Darren Star wants to keep putting Carrie Bradshaw on my screen, I'll always happily watch her, but I'm still mourning the loss of Star's underrated show, And Just Like That season 3 will premiere on May 29, 2025, and shows no signs of slowing down. The Sex and the City sequel series catches up with Carrie and the girls (sans Samantha) in their 50s. Things take a turn for the tragic when Big dies in episode 1, leaving Carrie a widow.

Again, I'll watch any SATC property Star produces, but there's no denying that And Just Like That doesn't have the same spark as the flagship series. Despite its success, many criticize the revival as simply cashing in on successful IP. On the other hand, Uncoupled, created by Star and Jeffrey Richman, was a totally original idea. A romantic comedy series, the Uncoupled cast is led by Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson, a successful NYC real estate agent whose world is rocked when his partner of 17 years abruptly dumps with him. Canceled after one season, Uncoupled deserves another shot.

Uncoupled Proves Why Neil Patrick Harris Is One Of TV's Best Leading Men

He's Selfish But Lovable — A Classic Darren Star Protagonist

Neil Patrick Harris was casting gold as Uncoupled's protagonist, Michael. Harris stole every scene he was in his best-known project, How I Met Your Mother, but while it took multiple seasons to peel back the layers of vulnerability beneath Barney Stinson's womanizing, suit-wearing exterior, he immediately bares his soul when he gets to step into the role of leading man.

Collage of Stanley, Claire, and Michael from Uncoupled

10 Best Quotes From Netflix's Uncoupled

Uncoupled is a witty look at the love lives of a core group of 40-something gay friends in Manhattan, made bingable by its memorable quotes.

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Michael is hardly 100% likable, and his selfishness is alarmingly apparent right from the start. Uncoupled's pilot episode sees Michael throwing his partner, Colin (Tuc Watkins), a surprise 50th birthday party so lavish it would make Jay Gatsby blush, despite Colin saying he didn't want to make a fuss about the milestone. Yes, I found myself screaming at my TV at Michael's actions, but how boring would it be if Harris's character were perfect?

Michael is on a romantic coming-of-age journey, and it's a heartwarming experience watching him evolve and become a better person.

Plus, narcissistic protagonists are a staple of Darren Star shows. Carrie Bradshaw is a glaring example, but also think about Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris — a far more successful Netflix series than Uncoupled. Like these two characters, Michael is on a romantic coming-of-age journey, and it's a heartwarming experience watching him evolve and become a better person, and it's all anchored by Harris's nuanced, winning performance.

Why Uncoupled Was Canceled Twice, Explained

The 2023 WGA Strike Was The Final Nail In The Coffin

Neil Patrick Harris looking shocked in Uncoupled

Typically, Netflix announces its series renewals shortly after the release of the latest season, so when they stayed mum on Uncoupled for months after its season 1 premiere in July 2022, things weren't looking good. It turns out that Uncoupled fans had reason to worry, as the show was officially canceled in January 2023. While the Neil Patrick Harris series achieved favorable critical reception, it failed to stay in Netflix's Top 10 list, only achieving the number 6 spot for one week. Its lack of sustained buzz is likely why Netflix pulled the plug.

Though Uncoupled was scheduled to start filming season 2 in July 2023, the Writers Guild of America strike squashed those plans.

However, in a reversal of fortune, just one month later in February 2023, Showtime announced that they were saving the show, and that Uncoupled season 2 was officially happening. Alas, the good news would be short-lived. Though Uncoupled was scheduled to start filming season 2 in July 2023, the Writers Guild of America strike squashed those plans, and production was halted in June 2023. Despite both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes ending in 2023, Showtime ultimately reversed its decision to proceed with Uncoupled season 2, and the network officially canceled the show on March 10, 2024.

neil patrick harris, Marcia Gay Harden, and Brooks Ashmanskas in Uncoupled

Uncoupled Ending Explained (In Detail)

Uncoupled season 1 leaves viewers wanting more. Here's what happens in the cliffhanger ending of Netflix's LGBTQ+ show starring Neil Patrick Harris.

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There's been no updates since, but it doesn't look like Uncoupled will be getting its Cinderella ending anytime soon, if ever. What really makes Uncoupled's second cancelation so disappointing is that it's also no longer accessible on streaming, on either Netflix or Paramount+ (who owns Showtime). If we can't get Uncoupled season 2, we should at least have access to the spectacular first season.

And Just Like That Fans Would Like Uncoupled Even More

It Has All The Trappings Of A Darren Star Series

When it premiered in 2021, And Just Like That felt a little bit tired, and it hasn't really been successful in picking up steam. If anything, it's resorted to frustrating storylines to stay relevant — like Carrie thinking she was wrong to be with Big instead of Aidan, and agreeing to wait five years while he raises his kids. Still, there's no denying that it's fun to be back in Carrie's world full of designer shoes, glamorous restaurants, and overall sophisticated NYC life.

sex and the city and just like that fashion image with neil patrick harris alone at a wedding in uncoupled

Uncoupled Is What Sex & The City's Weird Reboot Should Have Been

Netflix's newest romantic comedy Uncoupled is a better spiritual successor to Sex and the City than its official reboot, And Just Like That.

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If that Darren Star-created world is appealing, the TV titan also delivers it in spades with Uncoupled. Upscale New York City real estate is on full display, with Michael's high-powered real estate job. And like Carrie and the girls, it seems that every episode sees Michael and his crew at another fabulous party.

The show also feels a lot fresher than And Just Like That, as not many series explore gay dating life, which Michael gets a crash course in when he finds himself single for the first time in 17 years. Glamour plus originality is Uncoupled's recipe for brilliance, and it deserved better than what it got.