The Richard Wright Revelation: 7 Shocking Reasons Why The Sex And The City Actor Thinks He Was Samantha Jones' "Best" Lover

The character of Richard Wright, the wealthy and notoriously unfaithful hotel magnate from Sex and the City, remains one of the most polarizing figures in the entire SATC universe. Introduced as one of the few men capable of captivating the fiercely independent Samantha Jones, Richard’s relationship arc provided a masterclass in power dynamics, trust, and the ultimate act of self-love. As of December 18, 2025, the conversation around Richard has been reignited, not by a return in And Just Like That..., but by the actor himself, James Remar, who recently offered a surprising defense of the character, claiming Richard was, in fact, the "best" of Samantha's lovers.

This re-evaluation forces fans to reconsider the dramatic Season 4 storyline. Was Richard Wright just a classic villain, or was his relationship with Samantha Jones a complex, boundary-pushing dynamic that the show—and the audience—misunderstood? We dive deep into the character's profile, the scandal that defined him, and the fresh perspective offered by the man who brought the Manhattan mogul to life.

The Manhattan Mogul: Richard Wright’s Character Profile and James Remar’s Biography

Richard Wright was introduced in Season 4 of Sex and the City as a formidable love interest for Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall). He represented a new level of power and challenge for the PR executive, matching her ambition and sexual appetite. Their dynamic was one of the most intense and complex in the series, setting a high bar for the men who followed, including Smith Jerrod.

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• Character Name: Richard Wright
• Occupation: Wealthy Hotel Magnate/Billionaire Playboy
• First Appearance: Season 4, "The Real Me" (2001)
• Defining Trait: Alpha-male dominance, charisma, and a struggle with monogamy.
• Key Relationship: Samantha Jones
• Relationship Status: On-again, off-again, ending due to infidelity.

The man who embodied this powerful, controversial character is James Remar, a veteran actor with a long and diverse career beyond the streets of New York City.

• Actor Name: James Remar
• Date of Birth: December 31, 1953
• Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Spouse: Atsuko Remar (m. 1984)
• Notable Roles (Television): Harry Morgan (father of the title character) in Dexter (2006–2013), Richard Wright in Sex and the City (2001–2004).
• Notable Roles (Film): Ajax in The Warriors (1979), Albert Ganz in 48 Hrs. (1982), and various roles in films like Django Unchained.
• Current Projects: James Remar has recently been involved in projects like the legal drama *The Mirror* and the upcoming MAX series *Welcome to Derry* (a *Stephen King* prequel).

Remar's portrayal of Richard Wright cemented the character as a quintessential New York City power player, a man who could offer Samantha everything she thought she wanted—until his fatal flaw was exposed.

The Infidelity That Broke the Fourth Wall (And Samantha’s Heart)

The relationship between Richard Wright and Samantha Jones was characterized by an intense power struggle from the beginning. Samantha, the ultimate non-monogamist, was surprisingly the one who sought commitment from Richard. The dynamic shifted when Richard, the wealthy hotelier, began to express genuine affection, a rarity for him. This culminated in a seemingly committed relationship where Samantha even tried to accept his past indiscretions, only to be betrayed.

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The turning point came in Season 4 when Samantha caught Richard cheating on her. This moment of profound vulnerability for the usually unflappable PR mogul was a shock to the audience and a critical development for her character arc. It wasn't just the act of cheating; it was the public nature of the betrayal that truly stung. The fallout from this infidelity is what makes Richard Wright so memorable, as it led to one of Samantha's most iconic, empowering, and often-quoted lines:

"I love you, but I love me more."

This single line, delivered by Kim Cattrall, became a rallying cry for self-respect and a definitive moment that shaped Samantha's future choices, ultimately paving the way for her mature relationship with Smith Jerrod. The drama surrounding Richard forced Samantha to confront her own boundaries and the type of love she truly deserved, moving her past the superficial pursuit of power and raw sexual conquest.

The New Defense: Why James Remar Still Thinks Richard Was the "Best"

Two decades after the original run, the actor James Remar has provided a fascinating, modern re-interpretation of the Richard-Samantha dynamic, suggesting a complexity that was perhaps missed by the initial audience. In recent interviews, Remar defended his controversial character, even going so far as to call Richard the "best" of Samantha's long-term lovers.

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The core of Remar’s defense revolves around the idea of an unspoken agreement or an "ethical open relationship" that existed between the two wealthy, sexually liberated individuals. This perspective introduces several complex layers to the narrative:

1. The Unspoken Understanding of Alpha-Males

Remar suggested that Richard, as an "alpha-male," was simply acting according to his nature, and that Samantha, as his equal, understood this on a deeper, non-monogamous level. This view challenges the traditional, conservative romantic comedy trope by suggesting that two powerful people might operate outside conventional relationship rules.

2. Challenging the Definition of Infidelity

In the context of Samantha’s own promiscuity and desire to "have sex like a man," Remar’s defense implies that Richard’s actions were less a betrayal and more a failure to communicate the terms of an open relationship. This shifts the blame from Richard's moral failing to a relationship boundary issue, a concept far more explored in modern dating culture than in the early 2000s.

3. Richard’s Genuine Affection

Richard Wright was one of the few men who genuinely seemed to love Samantha and wanted to be with her, even after the initial breakup. He pursued her relentlessly, even waiting outside her apartment with flowers, delivering the iconic line, "I waited, and I waited, and I waited." This vulnerability, Remar argues, makes him a more complex and loving partner than others who simply used her for sex.

4. The Power of Samantha’s Self-Love

Ultimately, the relationship’s true value, according to this new analysis, lies in the fact that it was the catalyst for Samantha’s ultimate act of self-empowerment. Richard, by forcing her to choose between him and her own well-being, inadvertently gave her the gift of self-definition. He was the necessary hurdle she had to overcome to fully embrace her independence and self-worth.

Richard Wright's Lasting Legacy in the SATC Universe

Richard Wright's brief but explosive presence in Sex and the City has a disproportionately large topical authority and lasting legacy. He is not just another ex-boyfriend; he is a crucial pillar in the development of Samantha Jones, and by extension, the show's exploration of female sexuality and independence. His character serves as a vital contrast to the enduring romance of Mr. Big (Carrie Bradshaw's love interest) and the stability found by Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes.

The Richard Wright arc is a powerful exploration of the "bad boy" appeal and the limits of a woman's tolerance for compromise. His storyline expertly incorporated several key LSI entities and themes:

• The Alpha-Male Trope: Richard personified the powerful, older man who offered luxury and excitement but demanded emotional compromise.
• The Corporate World: As a hotel magnate, Richard brought the high-stakes world of corporate Manhattan into Samantha's life, a theme often explored through her PR career.
• The Evolution of Samantha: Richard was the man who made Samantha cry, demonstrating that even the most emotionally guarded person can be hurt. This vulnerability was essential for her maturation leading into the first Sex and the City movie.
• The Enduring Debate: Even today, the debate over whether Samantha should have taken him back continues to fuel fan discussions in the context of the And Just Like That... reboot.

While Richard Wright may never appear in the reboot, James Remar's recent defense offers a fresh, thought-provoking angle. It encourages a re-watch of Season 4, not just to witness the betrayal, but to analyze the complex, boundary-testing relationship between two powerful individuals who, despite their flaws, genuinely connected in the chaotic, glamorous landscape of early 2000s New York City. Richard Wright was perhaps not the "best" in the traditional sense, but he was undeniably the most impactful catalyst for Samantha Jones's journey toward true self-love.