Shocking Split Alert: 'And Just Like That' Star Sara Ramirez Reveals Heartbreaking Reason Behind Che and Miranda's Breakup

Sara Ramirez is offering insight into why Che Diaz, their character on And Just Like That, ended their romantic relationship with Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon). The breakup between the fictional couple unfolded during the episode of the Sex And the City spinoff that aired on Thursday, July 20. Che, a nonbinary comedian who was initially introduced to viewers in season 1 of And Just Like That, made the decision to call it quits.

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In an interview conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect last week, Ramirez, 47, revealed that Che is an exceptionally honest character. They fearlessly convey the truth, regardless of whether it is pleasing or not, leaving no room for deception or sugar-coating.

Ramirez, who prefers they/them pronouns like their character, mentioned that Che’s decision followed a turbulent period of self-reflection after their sitcom pilot was not picked up.

“They are now confronted with a more grounded and unfamiliar version of themselves, who steps forward and confesses, ‘Look, this situation is falling apart. It's not working,’” explained the former Grey’s Anatomy actor. “I believe it takes a great deal of integrity to admit this to someone, regardless of whether they agree with you or not. However, Miranda also possesses the self-awareness to acknowledge that it's not working. So, it's a sorrowful but relatable experience. Many people go through it.”

Ramirez's portrayal in AJLT season 1, which premiered in December 2021, sparked significant debate. The Daily Beast went as far as dubbing Che as "the worst character on TV" in January 2022. However, Ramirez responded to these critiques with a touch of humor.

In their own words, they stated, "While we can find amusement in such characterizations, my hope is that in season 2, like we explore the humanity of the female characters, we can also delve into Che Diaz's humanity. It is crucial to recognize that LGBTQIA+ individuals, just like the female characters, do not need to be flawless. We have the freedom to be imperfect and even unlikeable, and still be deserving of empathy and support."

AJLT executive producer Michael Patrick King and Che both shared the desire for season 2 of the show to reveal the vulnerability and complexity behind Che's confident persona. In addition to the difficulties of ending their relationship with Miranda, Che also grappled with body image concerns during the production of their sitcom pilot. This was sparked by hurtful comments about their weight made by a costumer on set.

In an interview published on Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter, Ramirez expressed their ability to understand the "internalized fatphobia" that Che confronts this season. They mentioned that this is a shared experience for most, if not all of us, as we have grown up with it. Reflecting on their personal growth in addressing their own internalized fatphobia, Ramirez indicated that although they are not in the same place as Che, they were able to empathize with the character's struggle of surrendering power to those who neither know nor care about them, and subsequently experiencing turmoil within their own relationships.

Prior to the airing of the breakup episode of Che and Miranda, Ramirez made an announcement about their personal life. They disclosed that they had ended their nine-year marriage with Ryan Debolt. Ramirez shared the news through an Instagram post in July 2021, expressing that they and Debolt would continue to love and support each other as they embarked on separate paths. They also expressed gratitude for the understanding and privacy surrounding their decision.

Ramirez referred to the separation as a delicate and vulnerable experience in a November 2021 interview with Out magazine. They expressed their satisfaction with the way they navigated through the process. Despite their romantic relationship coming to an end, the former couple maintained a friendship. Ramirez expressed their contentment with their choice of partner, stating that there is no one else they would prefer to go through a divorce with. Their friendship is built upon a strong foundation of love, allowing them to joke in such a manner. They consciously hold space for each other as friends.

New episodes of And Just Like That air Thursdays on Max.