The Five-Year Wait: Everything We Know About Aidan Shaw's Future In And Just Like That...

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The tumultuous, decades-long romance between Carrie Bradshaw and Aidan Shaw has always been the ultimate "what if" story of the *Sex and the City* universe. After a devastating breakup in the original series and a brief, controversial reunion in the second movie, the return of John Corbett's character in the sequel series, *And Just Like That...* (AJLT), was the event fans had been waiting for. Now, in late December 2025, the dust has settled on their Season 2 rekindling, but a major plot twist—the "five-year promise"—has left Carrie, and viewers, in a state of limbo, completely redefining the future of 'Carriedan' as we head toward the next season.

The latest updates confirm that the beloved furniture designer is currently prioritizing his family life in Virginia, leaving his relationship with Carrie on a very long-term pause. This deep dive explores the character's new life, the dramatic reason for his five-year hiatus, and the surprising real-life comments from actor John Corbett that add a unique layer to the enduring legacy of Aidan Shaw.

John Corbett: A Biography Snapshot of the Man Behind Aidan Shaw

John Corbett, the actor who brought the kind-hearted, down-to-earth furniture designer to life, has an extensive career that spans television, film, and music. His recent candid interviews have provided a fresh perspective on his decades in the entertainment industry.

  • Birth Name: John Joseph Corbett Jr.
  • Date of Birth: May 9, 1961
  • Age (as of December 2025): 64
  • Birth Place: Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
  • Spouse: Bo Derek (married in 2020 after nearly two decades together)
  • Notable Roles (Beyond SATC): Chris Stevens in *Northern Exposure*, Ian Miller in *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, and Max Gregson in *United States of Tara*.
  • Other Career: Country music singer, having released two studio albums.
  • Recent News: Corbett made headlines with a surprising confession in a recent interview, stating he regrets becoming an actor, adding a layer of unexpected complexity to the public persona of the fan-favorite star.

The Virginia Farm, Wyatt, and the Five-Year Promise

Aidan Shaw's return in *And Just Like That...* Season 2 initially felt like a fairytale ending for Carrie Bradshaw after the death of her husband, Mr. Big. The two quickly reignited their famous chemistry, with Aidan even agreeing to return to New York. However, Aidan's new life outside of the city, which involves a sprawling Virginia farm and three sons, proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the couple.

The Life-Altering Accident of Wyatt Shaw

The turning point for the rekindled romance came with a devastating family crisis. Aidan's youngest son, Wyatt, who had been struggling with the move and his parents' separation (Aidan is divorced from his wife, Kathy), was involved in a serious accident. Wyatt drove his father's truck into a barn on their farm while drinking, leading to an emergency call that pulled Aidan away from Carrie and back to Virginia.

This event highlighted the deep, unresolved issues in Aidan’s family life and the fact that his children still needed him fully present. Carrie, an iconic New Yorker, realized that she could not ask him to leave his sons, especially a troubled teen like Wyatt, to move back to her brownstone. The reality of their geographically and emotionally distant lives crashed their romance.

The Five-Year Hiatus Explained

The Season 2 finale saw Aidan and Carrie agree to a heartbreaking, yet mature, separation. Aidan confessed that he could not leave Wyatt, and in a pivotal scene, he asked Carrie for a "five-year promise."

The promise stipulates that Aidan will remain in Virginia to focus entirely on his son until Wyatt is out of his teens and stable. This means the couple's relationship is officially on hold until that time has passed. This ending was a radical departure from the typical *Sex and the City* drama, positioning Aidan not as the man Carrie couldn't choose, but as the man who chose his children over her. Showrunner Michael Patrick King explained that this ending was necessary to respect Aidan's evolution as a father and to give his character a justified reason for not simply abandoning his life for Carrie again.

The Enduring Debate: Mr. Big vs. Aidan Shaw

For more than two decades, the central romantic conflict of the franchise has been the choice between Mr. Big (the emotionally unavailable, exciting love) and Aidan Shaw (the reliable, earnest, but perhaps too-safe partner). Aidan's return in *And Just Like That...* reignited this debate with a modern twist.

  • Aidan's Evolution: In AJLT, Aidan is portrayed as a grounded, successful, and emotionally mature man. He has a thriving custom furniture business and a farm in Virginia, embodying a stable, post-NYC dream. He’s no longer the man who was hurt by Carrie’s betrayal, but a man who still carries the memory of it, leading to a crucial moment of distrust.
  • The Distrust Factor: A major revelation was Aidan's confession that he couldn't step back into Carrie's old apartment, the place where she cheated on him with Big. This moment confirms that the old wounds remain, and his decision to pause the relationship is rooted not just in fatherhood, but in a deep-seated fear of being hurt again by Carrie's New York life.
  • Fan Reaction: The audience remains fiercely divided. Many fans, who always saw Aidan as the "right" choice, were thrilled by the reunion but frustrated by the five-year delay. Others feel the character has served his purpose and that Carrie should now focus on her own identity and friendships, rather than another decades-old romance.

What Does This Mean for And Just Like That... Season 3?

With the "five-year promise" in place, Aidan Shaw's presence in the upcoming *And Just Like That...* Season 3 is expected to be minimal, if he appears at all. The show's narrative is now free to explore Carrie's life as a single woman in her 50s, without the immediate pressure of a major romantic entanglement.

The five-year timeline is a major narrative device that allows the show to focus on other key storylines, such as Miranda's career, Charlotte's family life, and the development of new characters like Seema and Nya. However, the promise itself acts as a ticking clock, ensuring that the possibility of a "Carriedan" endgame remains on the horizon. The eventual fulfillment or breaking of this promise will undoubtedly be a major plot point in a potential future season.

The true genius of Aidan's latest arc is that it finally gives him a compelling, non-romantic reason to step away, preventing him from being forever relegated to "Carrie's second choice." He is now a man who is choosing his children, a powerful and relatable modern dilemma that adds unprecedented depth to a character who was once defined solely by his relationship with Carrie Bradshaw. Whether the couple’s fate is truly sealed in five years remains the biggest question mark hanging over the entire franchise.

sex and the city aidan shaw
sex and the city aidan shaw

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