Sarah Jessica Parker believes it is "very normal" to be "interested" in other people.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

The 'Divorce' actress - who has been married to Matthew Broderick for 19 years - can understand why there is temptation outside of a relationship, but insists catching someone else's eye doesn't mean people have to "follow through" and have an affair.

She said: "It's very normal to be interested in other people. But it doesn't mean you have to follow through."

And the 51-year-old actress - who has children James Wilkie, 13, and twins Loretta and Tabitha, seven, with her spouse - thinks men and women have affairs for different reasons.

She said: "My experience of talking to women is that they have affairs when they're not happy, when they are feeling diminished or ignored or not heard.

"It's not about sex - it's about someone hearing them and seeing them and connecting. Whereas men seem to have affairs when they are feeling good about themselves; like they think it would be selfish of them not to share themselves with others."

The former 'Sex and the City' star thinks the key to her marriage is "companionship", even if that sounds "dreary".

She told Stella magazine: "I know it sounds dreary and not sexy, but I think the most important part of it is companionship. For me, it's about asking myself: who do I want to sit with, in Ireland? Who do I want to see those ruins with? Who is still the most challenging to me? Who do I like best?"

And Sarah thinks she and her 54-year-old spouse are well-suited - at least at the moment.

She said: "There is an enormous amount of discussion and dissection and introspection about it. We have common interests and we still really enjoy each other's company. We are suited to each other...At least for the time being."