Nov 29, 2023

‘Sex And The City’ Reality Dating Format In The Works From Candace Bushnell & Bunim/Murray

Sex and the City is getting the reality dating treatment.

Bunim/Murray Productions has teamed up with Candace Bushnell, whose book served as the basis for the long-running HBO hit, to develop Is There Still Sex in the City.

The Banijay Americas-owned producer will take out the project to potential buyers next month.

It will follow four “fabulous” friends in their fifties who are looking for a love do-over as they leave their busy city lives for a dating utopia. They’ll live together in a cozy country chateau where they’ll have their pick of a different group of men in each episode. They’ll try the boy toys, sample a senior age player, be romanced by the rich guys and even get to flirt with their fantasy man. But in the end, who will really steal their hearts, and will our ladies be able to bring the sex back to the city?

Bushnell wrote a column in the New York Observer that was turned into the Sex and the City book, which itself was turned into the HBO series that spawned six seasons, two movies and a reboot, And Just Like That, which is currently in production on its third season.

Known as the real-life Carrie Bradshaw, the author created the character as her alter-ego while writing Sex and the City because she didn’t want her parents to know that she’d just been to a sex club and even had her own reality show – Sex, Lives and Video Clips on VH1 – where her and a co-host were required to go to sex clubs.

Bunim/Murray is behind series such as Paramount’s The Challenge as well as recent series such as CBS’ Buddy Games and Paramount+’s The Family Stallone.

Bushnell said, “Fifty-something women and above are the hottest new dating demographic, and I should know, I am one of them. Over the decades, I’ve dated men of all ages and I’m so excited to be working on a show that combines my passion for relationships with the chance to help women, like me, navigate a love do-over.”

Bunim/Murray President Julie Pizzi added, “We feel that Candace’s brand has grown with her audience and her expertise in the dating space is an incredible entry point for an immersive dating experiment.”  

Bushnell is repped by Sugar23.

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