Culture December 23, 2021

How late 'Sex and the City' star Willie Garson's character was written off the reboot

WATCH: 'Sex and the City' stars pay tribute to late Willie Garson

"Sex and the City" fans learned the fate of Willie Garson's character, Stanford Blatch, in the most recent episode of the reboot, “And Just Like That..."

Garson died of pancreatic cancer earlier this year, while the series was in production. His character, Stanford Blatch, was close friends with Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw and appeared in the revival's first three episodes, as well as 27 episodes of "Sex and the City" and both feature films.

In the latest episode, which premiered Thursday, it is revealed that Blatch left for Tokyo for work, shocking both Carrie and his husband, Anthony Marentino, played by Mario Cantone. Blatch also apparently asked Marentino for a divorce.

"By the time you read this, I'll be in Tokyo," read a note he left for Carrie at her apartment. "I couldn't tell you — not without crying. And you have had enough crying."

MORE: Sarah Jessica Parker reacts to 'unbearable' loss of her 'Sex and the City' co-star Willie Garson
Craig Blankenhorn/HBO
Willie Garson in a scene from HBO's "And Just Like That..."

Garson was 57 years old when he died on Sept. 21. Parker, who was one of Garson's close friends in real life, told Vulture that he had initially intended to complete the entire season.

"He had a very significant story line, more so than ever, so it was my fervent hope that he would be able to do it all. And for Willie to have to leave, you knew that it was serious," she said. "If Willie could be there and do one more episode or one more scene, he would have done it. But he knew what he needed to do to take care of his son and of himself, and I am so glad that he did that because when he passed away, he wanted to do so in an environment and circumstance that made him feel safe and comfortable."

"One of the things he said to me in our last conversation was that he got to do it all [in life]. He was like me; he was a curious, insatiable person," she added. "He wanted to taste it, smell it, live it, feel it, know it, understand it, and walk away with memories. And he did. He had no regrets. What a deservedly gorgeous place to be."