‘And Just Like That…’: The Woman Who Inspired Lisa Todd Wexley on Her ‘Flattering’ Portrayal (Exclusive)

Meet the woman who inspired a fantastic life And just like that… character Lisa Todd Wexley!

Crystal McCrary is a New York-based writer, documentary filmmaker, television personality and former member of the New York Bar Association. And just like the character who inspired the hit series Max, played by Nicole Ari Parker, she also has three children and a loving husband.

When the highly-anticipated second season premiered this summer, fans loved the sleek and confident character inspired by McCrary, 53, who told PEOPLE that the show’s senior writer, Susan Fales-Hill, is “one of my best friends.”

‘AJLT’s’ Nicole Ari Parker Says Her Character’s ‘Fabulous’ Closet Is Her ‘Safe Place’

“I know I was definitely an inspiration for LTW, and there are a lot of similarities,” McCrary says. “She’s a documentary filmmaker, has three children, her husband ran for mayor, check, check, check, check.”

Crystal McCrary Anthony arrives at the 41st NAACP Image Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Jason Merritt/Getty Images for the NAACP

After seeing her role on the show, McCrary says, “I was like, ‘God, how flattering are you all going to be? You’re going to have a character played by Nicole Ari Parker who’s supposedly inspired by me? I’ll take it!’

McCrary is currently married to Ray McGuire, head of global banking at Citigroup, Inc. The couple has a son, Leo. She has two other children, daughter Ella and son Cole Anthony, an Orlando Magic player, from her previous marriage to former NBA star Greg Anthony.

Crystal McCrary and Cole Anthony at the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner on May 23, 2023.

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty

In 1998, McCrary co-authored a romantic novel Home ground advantage with Rita Ewing, who was previously married to former New York Knicks player Patrick Ewing.

Nicole Ari Parker praises ‘And Just Like That’ creators for creating diverse series: ‘They did it right’

Cole, 23, tells PEOPLE that it took a long time before he realized his mother’s influence as a businesswoman.

“It took me years to realize how brilliant a mother I had and how many people really look up to her,” says the NBA player. “I’m still learning more about her to this day, which I think is a good thing. She’s just brilliant. She’s so diverse in what she’s done. She’s an extremely smart businesswoman.”

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Fans of McCrary’s fantastic character will likely be looking forward to seeing more of Lisa as Max announced And just like that… will return in the third season.

Although the third season’s cast has yet to be revealed, fans can likely expect the return of Parker, 52, as Lisa alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Karen Pittman, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Christopher Jackson, Evan Handler and John Corbett.

Seasons 1 and 2 of And just like that… are now broadcast in their entirety on Max.

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Source: HIS Education