The Carrie Diaries: How AnnaSophia Robb Became The New Carrie Bradshaw

AnnaSophia Robb Plays Carrie Bradshaw In The Carrie Diaries [L] A Role Made Famous By Sarah Jessica Parker In Sex And The City [R]

The Carrie Diaries, the CW's television adaptation of Candace Bushnell's novel and a prequel to the Sex And The City television series, premiered on Monday evening (January 16, 2013). Actress AnnaSophia Robb has the enviable job of playing a young Carrie Bradshaw - iconically played by Sarah Jessica Parker in the long running HBO series.

In the CW's adaptation, the sex scenes, brief flings and liquid lunches are exchanged for doe-eyed romances and childish conversation, though early reviews of the Carrie Diaries suggest Robb does a commendable job of portraying Bradshaw as an ambitious teen in New York. It's not surprise to learn Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman supplied the retro fashions, while an 80's pop soundtrack supports Carrie's adventures in Manhattan. During an interview with the Daily Beast, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory actress explained how she landed the coveted role. "The opportunity first came around before I had applied to all my colleges; it was right before finals. When I got the call to audition I was like, "TV? No way, I'm just doing film, and I want to go to college." So a few months went by and I read the pilot and I thought, "This is really fantastic! It's really well written. I love the character-she's trying to find herself, be a strong woman, and find her voice," she said. Before auditioning, the actress had to sign a contract committing to six years on the show, should she land the role. "That was kind of a mind trip because when you do a film, it's three months of your life. It's a big deal, but it's never like six years," she added. Robb - who has Bradshaw's mannerisms down to a t - says Parker offered "no advice, just encouragement," though insisting she would never want to copy the 47-year-old's performance.

Early reviews of The Carrie Diaries have been lukewarm, with the St Louis Post-Dispatch perhaps the most enthusiastic. "The CW's attempt to capture the magic of "Sex and the City" in a prequel, set in 1984, could have gone very wrong. But The Carrie Diaries is surprisingly right", said the newspaper.