Sara Ramirez departs from And Just Like That portraying Che Diaz prior to season 3

By M Muzamil Shami

Che has completed their last performance.

And with that, Che Diaz gracefully exits the stage for the last time.

Sara Ramirez, known for their portrayal of the nonbinary stand-up comic in the Sex and the City sequel series And Just Like That, will not be reprising their role in the Max drama.

Representatives for Max have chosen not to provide comment on the matter. EW has reached out to Ramirez's team for further clarification.

This development follows Ramirez's recent social media statements criticizing the duplicity within the Hollywood industry. In a January Instagram post, Ramirez condemned the industry for its discriminatory practices, particularly against those who express support for Palestinians and Gaza.

While speculation arose among fans that Ramirez's departure from And Just Like That was linked to their outspoken views, Variety reports that the conclusion of their character's storyline, marked by Che's breakup with Cynthia Nixon's Miranda Hobbes, was a natural progression within the narrative.

       Sara Ramirez portrays Che Diaz in season 2 of "And Just Like That." (Photo by Craig Blakenhorn/MAX)

In another context, Ramirez, who prefers they/them pronouns, expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing comparisons drawn between them and their on-screen persona. This came following their previous commentary on a press interview with New York magazine's The Cut, which was published in June 2023.

"I want to emphasize that I am distinct from the fictional roles I portray, and I cannot be held accountable for the dialogue crafted for those characters," stated Ramirez on their Instagram account. "I am an individual, an artist, an actor. We exist in a world that increasingly challenges traditional gender norms and confronts mainstream conventions."

The portrayal of Che Diaz has ignited significant fan debate, particularly after the conclusion of the second season of And Just Like That. Devoted followers of Sex and the City voiced their opinions on how the entirely fictional comedic character interacted with Miranda, portrayed by Nixon.

During an interview with EW earlier this year, Ramirez appeared composed regarding the matter, drawing from their experiences managing fan reactions during their tenure as Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.

In 'And Just Like That' season 2, Cynthia Nixon's character Miranda embraces Sara Ramirez's Che. Photo by Craig Blakenhorn/HBO Max.

"The intense audience response is inevitable," they remarked, acknowledging the phenomenon. "But I refuse to let it consume me. It's certainly tempting, but it doesn't align with my purpose as the actor portraying this character. It's intriguing to embody someone who evokes such strong reactions and sparks important conversations. If our storylines generate significant water-cooler moments after each episode, then we've achieved our goal."

This isn't the first time the series bid farewell to a central character, albeit in different circumstances. Original lead actress Kim Cattrall opted out of any Sex and the City sequel, resulting in her character, PR maven Samantha Jones, relocating to London following a fallout with Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw. (Cattrall's unexpected cameo in the season 2 finale added a surprising twist.)

Tragically, Willie Garson passed away during the filming of And Just Like That season 1. The writers navigated this loss by crafting an arc where his character, Stanford Blatch, embarked on a journey to Japan and embraced life as a Shinto monk.

And Just Like That has officially been renewed for a third season, a decision announced prior to the finale of the second season. While the returning cast members weren't specified in the initial announcement, Showrunner Michael Patrick King expressed excitement about delving deeper into the lives of these relatable and aspirational characters portrayed by the talented cast. As King stated, "We're thrilled to continue exploring the Sex and the City universe, bringing forth new narratives about these captivating characters portrayed by our incredible actors. And Just Like That... here comes season 3."