As the groundbreaking romantic comedy Sex and the City enters Season 5 in India, HBO beams two episodes back-to-back every Sunday after the 8 pm movie with encore episodes on Wednesday night.

Since its international launch in 1998, Sex and the City has amassed fans the world over with its candid yet honest take on issues women face. Seasons 5 and 6, sees everyone?s favourite women ? Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda ? return; older and wiser, but no less hopeful.

Michael Patrick King, executive producer of the serial, looks back in amusement and nostalgia.

How do you feel the show has evolved?

I sometimes think the show has evolved in the way a relationship evolves.

What are your strongest influences in TV, film, theatre, etc?

The strongest influence on our show is ... life; life?s experiences coupled with the crew?s imagination.

Do you have a favourite episode?

Ex and the City. It?s got some hilarious highs like Samantha trying to have sex with Mr Cocky and some very emotional lows. The final image of Carrie turning away from the horse, her hair blowing in slow motion, takes my breath away.

What was the most challenging episode to write?

Early in the first season, I had to struggle more to find the tone of one particular show, Bay of Married Pigs.

Is there a character that you enjoy writing for most?

I love writing for all the women in the cast. I love Carrie for her heart and her searching. I love Miranda for her hurt and her absolute realness. I love Charlotte for her hopes and her personal hell, and I love Samantha for her dignity and death-defying bravery.

How will the addition of Miranda?s baby impact the show?

That is something we?ve spent an enormous amount of time trying to figure out. When we realised Miranda had just entered into a very significant ?relationship?, we started to get clearer. We plan to treat the baby the way we treat any relationship the girls might have.

We?ve noticed the absence of the girls? respective families in the past. Was this intentional?

Yes, it?s very intentional. The show is not about the family you were born into. It?s about the family you choose.

How much of the storyline comes from the writing team?s personal experiences?

A lot. Our dating and personal relationship histories are peppered throughout all the years. Even if a story is from someone?s imagination, we fill it with the truth of our own realities. I like to say: Good Sex is filled with our histories and our imaginations.