Sex And The City star reveals 'secret' of show's success

Kim Cattrall believes Sex And The City is a success because most women can identify with all four of the main characters.

The Emmy award-winning comedy drama begins its third series on Channel 4 on January 9.

The actress says she never expected to play a "hot vixen" - the outspoken and trashy Samantha Jones - at the age of 45.

She tells the latest edition of Radio Times the show deliberately removes the myths about sex to "make it more human".

"There's the anger of Miranda at the positions she's put in, Carrie is the tentative observer, Charlotte is the idealist, and Samantha just goes for it," she explains.

"Most women have Charlotte mornings, Carrie afternoons, Miranda teas and Samantha evenings. All four can get lonely, and ultimately want to find a person to share their life with."

Cattrall thinks Sex And The City's modern storylines still reflect old-fashioned romance: "That's the reality of what's out there. Women don't want to be on the hunt constantly. It's exhausting, especially when you're older."

After a career in film and television, which has included roles in The Rocky Horror Show, Porky's and Bonfire of the Vanities, she doesn't think she could have adopted her current role any earlier in her career.

"If anyone had told me I'd be playing this hot vixen at 45 I'd never have believed it because acting is a young person's game.

"But I don't think I'd be able to do it if I was younger. I know who I am now and feel at home in my body. I don't ever want to go back to being 20 or 30. I'm not so uptight, or self-conscious about the empowering, positive message we send out."