One of Sex and the City's most memorable heartthrobs has resurfaced after quietly stepping away from Hollywood, revealing a surprising new chapter in his career. Jason Lewis, who played the handsome model and love interest of Kim Cattrall's Samantha Jones in the hit HBO series, has traded red carpets for a very different kind of creative pursuit.
A New Creative Chapter
The actor, 54, has now pivoted from acting to focus on an ambitious writing project - a nine-book fantasy saga. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Lewis said that three years ago he relocated from California to Costa Rica, where he now 'spends his days surfing, learning Spanish, and waking up at 4 a.m.' to work on the project.
The epic series spans three interconnected trilogies, all set within the same universe but unfolding across different eras. In a notably unconventional twist, the first installment set for release is actually book seven in the overall timeline.
Starting at the End
'I chose to start at the end,' Lewis told the outlet, describing the project as an 'epic fantasy' in the style of Lord of the Rings. He said the series blends imaginative storytelling with nods to real scientific ideas, including quantum theory and theories from physicist Richard Feynman.
He outlined the narrative structure, explaining that the story arcs across three distinct phases. 'The first one's an idealistic tale,' Lewis told the outlet. 'The second one is when good intentions go terrible. You become the monster so the monster can't hurt you. And the last one is a redemption story.'
Although he has yet to secure a publisher, Lewis is already deep into the project, currently revising what is technically book seven. When asked about the unconventional choice to begin with book seven, he explained that the structure is deliberate, designed as an 'interconnected triptych rather than a linear chronology'.
'There are arguments in each one in terms of the same themes of power and agency and wielding that,' Lewis added. 'But I chose to start at the end.'
Return to the Spotlight
The project announcement follows Lewis' Instagram return on May 21, when he shared a video message after what he called three years of staying 'quiet.' 'After three years, it was time,' read his caption. In the video he said that in 2023 'I went quiet. Not because I have nothing to say but because I had something to do.'
The ruggedly handsome actor added, 'The kind of creative work that doesn't leave room for much else, and I made my peace with that. It's the kind of work that needs to find its people, though. I'm still in it but I am far enough along now that it felt like it was time to resurface and share what I've been doing.' Lewis signed off with, 'More to come.'
He was last seen in 2022 when he competed on Dancing With The Stars but was the first to be eliminated from the show.
Remembering Smith Jerrod
Lewis' character on Sex And The City was a young waiter and aspiring actor who was seduced by series lead Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall. Samantha, who convinced him to change his name from Jerry Jerrod to Smith, used her PR connections to land him a major modeling gig which led to a film role. Their relationship, which started off as casual, later turned serious after he supported Jones through her battle with breast cancer.
When the series ended in 2004, the couple were still together and in love. However, Lewis played Smith again in 2008's Sex and the City: The Movie and the two characters broke up after Samantha moved to Los Angeles. Lewis returned for the 2010 sequel Sex And The City 2 and it appeared that Smith and Samantha were still on good terms as he invited her to be his date to his new action film's premiere.
In 2021, Lewis said he would not appear in ...And Just Like That. In an interview with the Daily Front Row, the actor said he was asked if he had been approached to return to the HBO franchise. 'I have not, but I would be the last to know!' the star said. He added, 'As much as I appreciate the flattery, the conversation is about the girls.'
Personal Life
In late 2019, the actor proposed to his girlfriend, producer Liz Godwin. He opened up about the proposal in a February 2020 interview with People magazine. 'To keep Liz from suspecting anything, I organized a climbing and beach day out at Point Dume, Malibu, with friends and family gathered for the holidays,' Jason said. 'We set Liz up to climb a cliff right over the water, just before sunset. My buddies and I then sprinted up a back trail to the climb so I could be waiting for her at the top. I anchored myself to the rock — clipped her to me, just in case — then got on one knee and did "the thing."' Lewis dated actress Rosario Dawson from 2005 to 2006.
