Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: Charlotte & Trey with Kyle MacLachlan

Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Kyle MacLachlan
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Kristin Davis (Charlotte York from Sex and the City) reunites with Kyle MacLachlan (Trey MacDougal, Charlotte’s ex-husband on the show) for an affectionate, candid, and humorous look back at their time working together. They share behind-the-scenes stories from Sex and the City, discuss specific moments from their on-screen relationship, reflect on the show’s cultural impact and writing, and catch up on their recent creative projects and family life. Kyle also gives a peek into his playful approach to social media and his podcast “What Are We Even Doing?”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revisiting Sex and the City Memories

• Tennis Scenes & Behind-the-Scenes Stories (03:23–05:17)

  • Kristin and Kyle recall filming the tennis sequence at “Bunny’s house”:
    • Kristin reveals she had forgotten making out with the gardener (“I thought it was a dream, but apparently it’s real.” — Kristin Davis, 03:50)
    • Kyle remembers struggling with the tennis shots and getting “sweatier” with baby oil applied by the makeup team.
    • Both reflect on the pressure and fun of creating believable scenes even with little real-life tennis experience.

• Iconic Visuals & Standout Scenes (05:39–06:34)

  • Kyle reminisces about scenes that sum up Charlotte and Trey’s relationship:
    • The bathtub scene with Franny (Trey’s mother, “Bunny”) (05:49)
    • The bed-shopping scene with three people in the bed (06:30)
    • Kristin discusses the emotional challenge of negotiating Charlotte’s “I’m worth a million” moment in a prenup conversation with Bunny (07:22–09:00).

• The Character of Bunny & Actor Transformations (12:47–13:50)

  • Kyle praises Frances Sternhagen’s transformation from “mom-sy” off-set to terrifying Upper East Side matron on-screen:

    “She just came off the farm, upstate New York… put her in the Chanel and cigarette, and suddenly, like, wow, what a transformation.”
    — Kyle MacLachlan, 13:22

  • Kristin admits she was genuinely intimidated by Bunny, though she describes Frances as warm and lovely in real life.

2. Insights on Acting and Directing

• Directorial Styles and On-Set Memories (06:34–07:19)

  • Kristin reflects on how switching between directors influenced the tone and style of scenes, especially during more intimate or emotional moments:

    “He would film us even in the intimate scene on a longer lens… it’s so cinematic.”
    — Kristin Davis, 06:36

• Challenges of Filming High-Pressure Scenes (08:29–09:16)

  • Kristin shares her nerves about close-up shots and the pressure to authentically embody Charlotte’s feelings:

    “It’s like someone’s like, choking you… the pressure.”
    — Kristin Davis, 08:30

  • Kyle encourages her, explaining her authentic struggle was “perfect” for the Charlotte character.

3. Reflections on Trey, Male Roles, and Audience Reactions

• Cultural Impact of Trey and Male Characters (20:01–22:57)

  • Kyle discusses the complexity and vulnerability of being a recurring male character on SATC, often defined by “problems” that further the women’s stories.
  • Both acknowledge that for some actors, guest spots often meant being remembered for very specific (sometimes embarrassing) plotlines.
  • Kristin notes the difference in fan scrutiny between SATC and modern shows, referencing the communal aspect of current social media commentary.

• On Imperfect Characters & Relatability (22:36–24:35)

  • Both reflect on how SATC was groundbreaking for featuring flawed, fully-developed women (and men), noting the double standard for female characters’ likability:

    “If you have a complex woman, people are like, she's a narcissist.”
    — Kristin Davis, 23:54

    “Everybody was flawed… but at the same time lovable and… identifiable, and you could… that's why people are like, are you aligned?”
    — Kyle MacLachlan, 24:26

4. Legacy, Inspiration, and The Power of Storytelling

• How the Show Resonated with Fans (24:51–25:32)

  • Kristin tells stories about fans’ emotional rewatching experiences, like Adam Scott binge-watching SATC during Covid and feeling like “the girls” were with him.

• Writing Roots & Character Inspirations (25:56–27:02)

  • Kristin and Kyle discuss the show’s rule that storylines had to have a one-degree-of-separation from a real experience within the writer’s circle.
  • They speculate on the real-life basis for Trey and reflect on how this led to the show’s authenticity and relatability.

5. Kyle’s Recent Work & Podcast Life

• Overcompensating and Collaborations (27:11–28:38)

  • Kyle talks about working on “Overcompensating” with Benny Drama (Benito Skinner) and Connie Britton, praising the unique, distinct voices in the script and the joy of working with young talent.

• Working with Ethan Hawke & New Projects (28:44–30:19)

  • Kyle elaborates on working with Ethan Hawke in a Tulsa-based project, highlighting Ethan’s collaborative spirit and love for making scenes better.

6. Social Media, Podcasting & Slang: Bridging Generations

• Exploring Social Media & “What Are We Even Doing?” (34:31–36:10)

  • Kyle describes his playful, collaborative approach to content creation on TikTok and Instagram and his intent to make it fun and creative:

    “It’s really, for me, it’s about fun and entertainment. Occasionally I’ll point to a cause… but really it’s about making people laugh.”
    — Kyle MacLachlan, 34:54

  • His podcast explores how younger generations create and engage, often focusing on slang and generational culture gaps.

• Generation Z Slang Quiz & Cultural Curiosity (36:10–39:14)

  • Kyle quizzes Kristin on Gen Z slang (“chopped,” “unk,” and “boy/soft boy”), playfully puzzling over the logic of new lingo.
    • “Chopped” = ugly; “unk” = old; “soft boy” = a guy who seems sensitive but isn’t sincere.

• Differences in Mentorship Across Generations (40:06–41:12)

  • Kristin and Kyle discuss how younger creatives (like Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone) are self-made via social media, contrasting with the traditional mentorship and inspiration they sought earlier in their careers.

7. Family, Home Life & The Real Charlotte

• Family Clutter & Parental Chaos (41:42–44:52)

  • Both share quintessentially modern parenting stories about dealing with toys, family clutter, and losing their “Charlotte” tidiness after kids.

    • “Do you clean before the cleaners come?” (Kyle, 41:54)
    • “I've lost all my areas. My areas are gone.” (Kristin, 42:41)

  • Reminiscence about vintage toys (Hot Wheels, memory games) and the nostalgia of passing them down.

• Are You a Charlotte? (45:31–45:39)

  • Kristin asks Kyle the show’s signature question:

    “Are you a Charlotte?”
    “Yes, Definitely a Charlotte. Yay. Yeah. Without question.”
    — Kyle MacLachlan, 45:31
    “I feel you are. Didn't even have to think.”
    — Kristin Davis, 45:36

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Working with Baby Oil in the Tennis Scene:
  “The makeup ladies came over, and they were like, you need to be a little sweatier... and they started taking baby oil and rubbing it on my chest... I was just like, okay, that’s fine. Whatever.”
  — Kyle MacLachlan (04:32)

• On the Bathtub Scene with Bunny:
  “This is the entire relationship in one scene, in one visual.”
  — Kyle MacLachlan (06:02)

• On the Show’s Writing:
  “The writers are so brilliant. That was right?”
  — Kyle MacLachlan (08:14)

• On Playing Flawed Characters:
  “You were demonstrating examples of how to handle and not handle...a situation.”
  — Kyle MacLachlan (24:42)

• On Fan Rewatches: “It’s totally different to watch it when you’re going through a breakup than it is to watch it when you’re in a couple.”
  — Kristin Davis (24:51)

• On Being a ‘Charlotte’:
  “Yes, Definitely a Charlotte. Yay. Yeah. Without question.”
  — Kyle MacLachlan (45:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tennis scene memories: 03:23–05:17
• Bathtub, bed-shopping, and Bunny moments: 05:39–13:50
• Reflecting on male roles and audience reaction: 20:01–22:57
• Flawed characters and show legacy: 22:36–24:35
• Modern rewatching and fan reception: 24:51–25:32
• Writing inspiration and authenticity in characters: 25:56–27:02
• Kyle on “Overcompensating” and recent work: 27:11–30:19
• Social media experimentation and podcasting: 34:31–36:10
• Gen Z slang quiz: 36:10–39:14
• Family life and ‘Charlotte’ tendencies: 41:42–44:52
• Are you a Charlotte? question: 45:31–45:39

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, nostalgic, and playful, filled with mutual admiration, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie. Kristin and Kyle blend affectionate teasing with sincere insights about their craft, the impact of Sex and the City, and their lives beyond the show. Their rapport offers both comfort to longtime fans and thoughtful commentary on how entertainment, culture, and family life have evolved.

For Listeners

Whether you’re a Sex and the City devotee or new to Charlotte and Trey’s saga, this episode is a delightful blend of behind-the-scenes revelations, contemporary reflections, and humorous banter—a celebration of both the show’s enduring legacy and the genuine friendships it inspired.