LONDON — In an unexpected crossover between Hollywood and the literary world, Sarah Jessica Parker, famous for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City,” has been named a judge for the 2025 Booker Prize. The announcement, made Tuesday by the competition organizers, highlighted an eclectic panel that also includes notable figures from around the globe.
The panel will be led by Roddy Doyle, an esteemed Irish novelist whose book “Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha” clinched the Booker Prize in 1993. Joining him and Parker will be Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo, British writer and critic Chris Power, and American novelist Kiley Reid.
At 59, Parker, who has not only shined as an actress with an Emmy and four Golden Globes but also ventured successfully into the publishing sector. In recent years, she has transitioned from acting to the literary scene, serving as the editorial director at a Penguin publishing imprint. In 2023, Parker further extended her literary influence by launching her own imprint, SJP Lit, in collaboration with an independent publisher.
Parker expressed both excitement and trepidation about her upcoming role as a Booker judge. In an interview with The New York Times, she revealed her initial doubts about her qualifications given her non-academic background: “I think of judges as academics, learned, experienced in ways I’m just not.” Despite these reservations, she described her selection as a judge as “the thrill of a life.”
Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, endorsed Parker’s inclusion, noting her longstanding dedication to contemporary fiction. Wood emphasized Parker’s genuine passion and advocacy for up-and-coming writers and their works.
The process for the 2025 Booker Prize is already underway, with authors and publishers invited to submit their works. A longlist comprising 12 or 13 novels will be announced in July, narrowed down to a group of finalists by September. The ultimate winner will be revealed in November 2025, marking another chapter in the prestigious award’s history.
This blending of talents from different fields for the 2025 Booker Prize underscores a growing trend where diverse perspectives are valued in literary criticism and jury selections. It not only enriches the judging process but also highlights the evolving landscape of literary appreciation and the broadening appeal of major literary awards.
The involvement of a high-profile celebrity like Parker also brings a fresh spotlight to the Booker Prize, potentially engaging a wider audience and encouraging more people to discover and explore the nominated works and those making the decisions.
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