Who was Carrie before Big and the girls? CW premiered the new series, The Carrie Diaries and viewers are already in love with the young Carrie Bradshaw. The show focuses on Carrie in high school and how she develops into the icon we know from the hit HBO series, “Sex and the City.”

After a death in the family, Carrie, played by AnnaSophia Robb (Soul Surfer, Bridge to Terabithia), takes on an internship in Manhattan to take her mind off her loss. With this newfound responsibility she realizes her passion, writing. She instantly falls in love with the Big Apple and this love affair changes her state of mind.

The tag line of the show “Be who you want to become,” really hits home as Carrie learns to speak her mind and go for what she wants. Through her short time in Manhattan she meets many eccentric people who shape the Carrie Bradshaw we know today.

Robb’s portrayal as the young Carrie was good. However, you must realize that she isn’t the Carrie Bradshaw from the original series. She is more naïve and less confident than Sarah Jessica Parker’s character. She hasn’t had the experiences that make her the Carrie that we know in “Sex and the City.”

You could tell that Robb studied Parker’s performance as Carrie in preparation for her role as her young counterpart. She has picked up Parker’s body language and personality quirks that make Carrie Bradshaw unique and recognizable. The only thing missing from the show that Robb hasn’t quite mastered yet is Bradshaw’s iconic voice, which is probably because her character hasn’t picked up her pesky smoking habit yet.

Tune in Monday at 7 p.m. on the CW to be carried away.