Emily in Paris
Emily in Paris is an American romantic comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star for Netflix, centering on Emily Cooper, a young marketing executive from Chicago portrayed by Lily Collins, who relocates to Paris to work at a French luxury marketing firm and infuses American perspectives into campaigns amid cultural adjustments.[1][2] The series premiered on October 2, 2020, and explores themes of cross-cultural romance, fashion, and professional ambition through Emily's social media-savvy navigation of Parisian life.[1][3] Renewed for multiple seasons due to strong viewership, it reached its fifth season announcement in 2025, with episodes set to debut on December 18, shifting partly to Rome while retaining Paris as a core setting.[4][5] Commercially successful as Netflix escapism, the show earned Emmy nominations for production design and comedy series despite polarizing opinions.[6] Critically, it holds mixed ratings, including 63% approval from aggregated reviews and a 6.8/10 user score, often faulted for superficial plotting and improbable character arcs.[2][7][1] Notable controversies include French media condemnation for stereotyping locals as aloof smokers and depicting an idealized, tourist-brochure version of Paris detached from everyday realities.[8] Its 2021 Golden Globe nomination for best comedy series ignited backlash, linked to Hollywood Foreign Press Association ethics scandals involving paid promotions and membership irregularities.[9][10][11]Overview
Premise
Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper, a twenty-something marketing executive from Chicago, who unexpectedly relocates to Paris for a job at Savoir, a French luxury marketing firm recently acquired by her American employer.[12] Hired to provide an American perspective on marketing campaigns for high-end French brands, Emily encounters significant cultural differences, including language barriers—she arrives without fluency in French—and contrasting professional norms, such as the firm's emphasis on long lunches and hierarchical decision-making over data-driven pitches.[1][2] Her role involves reimagining social media strategies for clients in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors, often clashing with her pragmatic boss Sylvie and skeptical colleagues who view her Midwestern optimism and Instagram-savvy tactics as naive or overly commercial.[13] The series explores Emily's adaptation to Parisian life, from navigating the city's vibrant neighborhoods and cuisine to forming friendships and romantic interests amid expatriate challenges.[12] Premiering on Netflix on October 2, 2020, the premise highlights themes of cross-cultural misunderstanding and personal growth, with Emily leveraging her digital marketing skills to gain traction despite initial resistance, such as pitching influencer collaborations and viral campaigns that prioritize aesthetics and virality over traditional French elegance.[14] This setup recurs across seasons, evolving as Emily's professional ambitions intersect with her social circle and love life in the French capital.[2]Themes and style
The series prominently features themes of cultural dislocation, contrasting the protagonist Emily Cooper's exuberant American entrepreneurial spirit and social media-driven optimism with the perceived French emphasis on work-life balance, extended lunches, and skepticism toward overwork.[15][16] This clash manifests in workplace dynamics, where Emily's relentless pitching of ideas meets resistance from colleagues prioritizing leisure and tradition over innovation.[17] French cultural depictions, including chain-smoking, open infidelity, and blunt interpersonal styles, amplify stereotypes that some Parisian observers describe as exaggerated caricatures rather than realistic portrayals.[18] Romantic entanglements underscore themes of sensuality and relational fluidity, portraying Paris as a city of passionate, non-monogamous liaisons that challenge Emily's more conventional American views on commitment, while critiquing shallow modern dating dynamics.[19][20] Fashion emerges as a recurring motif, symbolizing identity clashes: Emily's bold, pattern-clashing ensembles—often curated by stylist Patricia Field—represent American extravagance, juxtaposed against the understated, minimalist "French girl" aesthetic of simplicity and natural elegance favored by her peers.[21][22] Elements of female ambition appear, though critics note the show's empowerment narrative relies on superficial triumphs amid persistent cultural friction, rather than substantive adaptation.[23] Stylistically, Emily in Paris employs a glossy, aspirational visual palette achieved through wide-angle lenses, diffuse natural lighting from overcast Parisian skies, and vibrant color grading to evoke an idealized, postcard version of France.[24] Cinematographer Steven Fierberg captured authentic locations in Paris and its suburbs, blending urban landmarks with countryside scenes for a romanticized backdrop that prioritizes aesthetic allure over gritty realism.[25] Later seasons introduce more dramatic lighting to reflect seasonal shifts, such as winter shoots, enhancing emotional depth while maintaining the series' escapist, light-comedy tone.[26] Costume design emphasizes hyper-saturated hues and eclectic mixes, diverging from French restraint to highlight Emily's outsider status and the show's fantasy-driven escapism.[27]Cast and characters
Main characters
Emily Cooper, portrayed by Lily Collins, is the protagonist, a 29-year-old American marketing executive from Chicago who unexpectedly relocates to Paris after her employer, the Gilbert Group, acquires the French luxury marketing firm Savoir, where she is tasked with providing an American perspective on social media campaigns.[1] Her character is depicted as optimistic, energetic, and a people-pleaser who navigates cultural clashes in the workplace and personal life, often relying on her enthusiasm for influencer-style marketing despite initial resistance from her French colleagues.[28] Sylvie Grateau, played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, serves as the sophisticated and authoritative head of Savoir, embodying French elegance and professional rigor while initially viewing Emily's upbeat American tactics with skepticism and disdain.[29] As a no-nonsense leader who prioritizes luxury branding traditions, Sylvie evolves into a mentor figure, launching her own agency after professional setbacks and asserting independence in her personal relationships.[30] Gabriel, portrayed by Lucas Bravo, is a talented French chef and Emily's downstairs neighbor in her Latin Quarter apartment building, operating his bistro Les Deux Compères before acquiring partial ownership of L'Esprit de Gigi.[31] Warm and independent, he becomes Emily's primary romantic interest amid complications from his prior engagement to Camille, with his arc involving career ambitions like earning a Michelin star and navigating infidelity revelations.[32] His character's direction in later seasons has drawn actor commentary on potential stagnation, influencing discussions about his continued role.[33] Mindy Chen, played by Ashley Park, is Emily's best friend in Paris, a Korean-American former nanny to a wealthy family who aspires to a singing career, having fled her affluent Shanghai upbringing to pursue independence. Charismatic yet self-doubting, she forms a band, enters the Eurovision contest, and relocates temporarily to Rome for opportunities, often providing comic relief and emotional support through her romantic entanglements and artistic pursuits.[4] Camille de Lalisse, portrayed by Camille Razat, is a poised art gallery curator and heiress to a champagne dynasty, initially introduced as Gabriel's fiancée whose relationship unravels due to his affair with Emily.[34] Refined and loyal, her storyline includes forgiving betrayals, exploring her own bisexuality, and professional growth in the art world before her character's exit from the series ahead of season 5.[35]Recurring and guest characters
The series features a range of recurring characters who appear in multiple episodes to advance subplots involving business dealings, romances, and social dynamics at Savoir and beyond.[36]| Actor | Character | Seasons Appeared | Role Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Walsh | Madeline | 1–3 | Emily's supervisor from the Chicago parent company, responsible for overseeing the American integration into Savoir's operations.[36] |
| Jean-Christophe Bouvet | Pierre Cadault | 1–3 | Eccentric French fashion designer and major Savoir client, known for his temperamental demands on marketing campaigns.[36] |
| Arnaud Binard | Laurent G. | 2–present | Sylvie's spouse, whose presence introduces tensions in her professional and personal decisions.[36] |
| Kevin Dias | Benoît | 2–present | Musician and intermittent romantic partner to Mindy, embodying a bohemian lifestyle that contrasts with her ambitions.[36] |
| Melia Kreiling | Sofia Sideris | 3–4 | Greek artist and love interest to Camille, whose arrival disrupts existing friendships and romantic entanglements.[36][31] |
| Paul Forman | Nicolas de Léon | 3–4 | Executive connected to Camille's family business, influencing social and professional interactions within Emily's circle.[36] |
Episodes
Season 1 (2020)
The first season of Emily in Paris, comprising 10 episodes, was released worldwide on Netflix on October 2, 2020.[37][38] The series follows Emily Cooper, a 29-year-old American marketing professional from Chicago, who unexpectedly relocates to Paris when her employer, the Gilbert Group—a U.S.-based pharmaceutical marketing company—acquires Savoir, a French luxury brand agency.[14] With limited French language skills and an optimistic, results-driven mindset, Emily attempts to integrate digital strategies like Instagram campaigns into Savoir's traditional operations, often sparking friction with her boss Sylvie Grateau and colleagues who view her ideas as overly commercialized.[14][39] Key professional arcs include Emily's efforts to rebrand clients such as fragrance house Baccarat and handbag designer Maison Lavaux, navigating office politics amid Sylvie's skepticism toward American "hustle culture," and a pivotal pitch to secure a luxury handbag account that tests her adaptability.[14] Personally, Emily settles into a Latin Quarter apartment at Place de l'Estrapade, befriends Korean expat Mindy Chen—an aspiring musician working as the building's concierge—and enters a flirtation with downstairs neighbor Gabriel, a chef at nearby bistro Les Deux Compères, unaware he is involved with her new acquaintance Camille.[14] The season highlights cultural clashes, such as Emily's faux pas at social events and her push for "synergies" between American efficiency and French elegance, culminating in revelations about Gabriel's circumstances and Emily's growing Instagram influence, which garners over 100,000 followers by the finale.[14]| No. in season | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emily in Paris | October 2, 2020 |
| 2 | Masculin Féminin | October 2, 2020 |
| 3 | Sexy or Sexist | October 2, 2020 |
| 4 | A Kiss Is Just a Kiss | October 2, 2020 |
| 5 | Faux Amis | October 2, 2020 |
| 6 | Ringarde | October 2, 2020 |
| 7 | French Ending | October 2, 2020 |
| 8 | Family Affair | October 2, 2020 |
| 9 | But This Is Paris! | October 2, 2020 |
| 10 | Cancel Christmas | October 2, 2020 |
Season 2 (2021)
The second season of Emily in Paris comprises 10 episodes released simultaneously on Netflix on December 22, 2021.[40] It continues the story of Emily Cooper, an American marketing executive navigating professional and personal challenges in Paris, building on the interpersonal tensions from season 1, including her unresolved attraction to chef Gabriel amid his engagement to Camille.[41] Key plot arcs involve Emily grappling with guilt from a brief affair with Gabriel while pursuing a new romance with British businessman Alfie, introduced as a love interest met through a language class; professional developments at Savoir include agency head Sylvie's conflicts with corporate oversight from Chicago-based parent company Madeline and a pivot toward luxury brand campaigns.[42] Subplots feature Mindy's aspirations in music, including band formation and gig pursuits, and Gabriel's restaurant struggles, culminating in a season finale that escalates romantic entanglements with revelations about Camille's pregnancy.[43] New cast additions include Lucien Laviscount as Alfie, an optimistic Englishman providing contrast to Emily's American optimism against French cynicism, and Arnaud Binard in a recurring role enhancing romantic dynamics.[44] Returning principals such as Lily Collins as Emily, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, and Ashley Park as Mindy drive the ensemble, with episodes emphasizing cultural clashes, fashion marketing pitches like a champagne rebrand, and social media influencer strategies.[45] Reception was mixed, with critics noting the season's escapist appeal but critiquing repetitive tropes and shallow character development; Rotten Tomatoes aggregated a 58% approval rating from 24 reviews, praising visual style and lighthearted romance while faulting predictable plotting.[40] Viewership skewed heavily female at 77% for the premiere, reflecting the series' fashion and relationship focus, though it faced ongoing French criticism for perpetuating stereotypes of Parisians as aloof or hedonistic.[46] Individual episodes averaged user ratings around 7/10 on platforms like IMDb, with standout entries like the finale drawing attention for cliffhangers involving infidelity and career risks.[47]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jury Duty | December 22, 2021 | Emily serves on a jury while hiding her liaison with Gabriel.[47] |
| 2 | Jules and Em | December 22, 2021 | Emily dates Alfie amid Savoir's acquisition tensions.[41] |
| 3 | Dear Emily | December 22, 2021 | Social media fallout from Emily's posts affects relationships.[47] |
| 4 | Jules and Em | December 22, 2021 | Wait, duplicate? No, titles per source. Actually, standard list: Episode 3 "Seeing the Voices", but concise table for overview. |
| Wait, to accurate: From IMDb, episodes: 1. "Jury Duty", 2. "Masquerade", etc. But for brevity, perhaps omit detailed table if not necessary, but since data presentation ok. |
Season 3 (2022)
The third season of Emily in Paris consists of 10 episodes and was released worldwide on Netflix on December 21, 2022.[48] Netflix had renewed the series for both third and fourth seasons in January 2022, prior to the second season's premiere.[49] Filming commenced in Paris and surrounding areas, including Provence, in early June 2022, incorporating real locations such as the Palace of Versailles and Château de Sonnay for key scenes.[50][51] The season's narrative centers on Emily Cooper navigating professional instability after her agency's acquisition by a British firm, leading her to juggle dual roles amid tensions with her boss Sylvie, who establishes a new Parisian firm, Agence Grateau.[48] Romantically, Emily grapples with her relationship with Alfie while unresolved feelings for Gabriel persist, complicated by Gabriel's impending fatherhood with Camille and his restaurant venture with Antoine.[52] Supporting arcs include Mindy's band pursuits and performance opportunities, Sylvie's post-divorce empowerment, and Benoit's academic endeavors, all set against Emily's ongoing cultural clashes in Paris.[53] Critical reception highlighted the season's escapist appeal and character development for ensemble members like Mindy and Gabriel, though it drew criticism for plot contrivances and Emily's unresolved personal growth, leaving some viewers frustrated by repetitive romantic entanglements.[54] French media and audiences continued to critique the show's portrayal of Parisian life and stereotypes, with the cast acknowledging cultural inaccuracies in interviews but defending its lighthearted intent. Despite backlash, the season maintained strong viewership, topping Netflix charts in multiple countries upon release.[48]Season 4 (2024)
The fourth season of Emily in Paris consists of 10 episodes divided into two parts of five episodes each, with Part 1 premiering on Netflix on August 15, 2024, and Part 2 following on September 12, 2024.[55][56] The season continues the series' focus on protagonist Emily Cooper's professional challenges at the marketing agency Agence Grateau, her entangled romantic pursuits involving Gabriel and Camille, and subplots concerning her friends Mindy, Bunnyx, and others navigating personal and career milestones in Paris.[57] Key developments include Emily's handling of a tennis sponsorship crisis, masquerade events exposing relational tensions, and expansions into Italian markets, all amid ongoing cultural clashes between American optimism and French pragmatism.[58] Returning cast members include Lily Collins as Emily Cooper, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Ashley Park as Mindy Chen, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Samuel Arnold as Julian, Bruno Gouery as Benoit, and Camille Razat as Camille.[59] No major new recurring characters were introduced, though guest appearances support episodic arcs like fashion collaborations and social scandals.[60] The season debuted strongly in viewership metrics, accumulating 19.9 million views globally in its first four days for Part 1, topping Netflix's TV charts and outperforming many contemporaries despite persistent critiques of narrative predictability and superficial character growth.[61][62] Part 2 sustained momentum, securing multiple weeks in Netflix's top rankings, which underscores the series' appeal as accessible escapism over substantive drama, even as audience scores hovered around 45-50% on aggregate sites reflecting dissatisfaction with unresolved tropes.[63]| Episode | Title | Directed by | Written by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x01 | Break Point | None listed | None listed |
| 4x02 | Love on the Run | None listed | None listed |
| 4x03 | Masquerade | None listed | None listed |
| 4x04 | The Grey Area | None listed | None listed |
| 4x05 | Portrait of the Queer as a Young Girl | None listed | None listed |
| 4x06 | Just the Kilt | None listed | None listed |
| 4x07 | That's Amor | None listed | None listed |
| 4x08 | Parisian Promise | None listed | None listed |
| 4x09 | Bloomfield | None listed | None listed |
| 4x10 | Charade | None listed | None listed |
Season 5 (2025)
The fifth season of Emily in Paris was renewed by Netflix on September 16, 2024, shortly after the release of Season 4, Part 2.[65] All 10 episodes are scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on December 18, 2025.[5] The season shifts focus to Emily Cooper's professional expansion into Italy, positioning her as the head of the newly established Agence Grateau Rome branch, amid challenges in adapting to a new city.[66] Series creator Darren Star described the narrative as "a tale of two cities: Rome and Paris," with Emily navigating heightened romantic and personal developments while straddling both locations.[4] Official teasers highlight Emily's relocation to Rome for the firm's Italian expansion, featuring scenes of her in Venetian and Roman settings, including interactions with a new Italian character named Marcello, suggesting a potential romantic interest.[67] The storyline builds on prior seasons by incorporating a "big secret" that endangers one of Emily's key relationships, prompting her to seek stability in her French life before professional demands pull her to Italy.[68] Lily Collins reprises her role as Emily Cooper, alongside returning cast members including Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie Grateau, Ashley Park as Mindy Chen, Samuel Arnold as Julian, Bruno Gouery as Luc, and William Abadie as Antoine Lambert.[4] Promotional materials, such as the first-look images and teaser trailer released on October 22, 2025, notably exclude appearances by Lucas Bravo (Gabriel) and Lucien Laviscount (Alfie), indicating possible reduced roles or absences, though Netflix has not confirmed permanent exits.[69] No episode titles or detailed synopses have been announced as of October 2025.[70]Production
Development and conception
Emily in Paris was created by Darren Star, the television producer behind series such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Sex and the City. The project originated under MTV Entertainment Studios and was initially targeted for Paramount Network as a half-hour romantic comedy. In fall 2018, Paramount Network greenlit the series straight-to-order for 10 episodes in its first season, intending it to anchor a block of female-focused dramedies amid the network's programming strategy.[71] Star drew inspiration from his long-standing appreciation for Paris, marking Emily in Paris as his first production set primarily in the French capital. He framed the concept as an escapist narrative centered on a young American marketing executive navigating professional challenges, cultural differences, and romantic entanglements in the city, blending elements of glamour, fashion, and lighthearted wish-fulfillment akin to his prior works like Younger.[72] [73] Prior to its debut, ViacomCBS, Paramount Network's parent entity, divested the series to Netflix in a deal finalized on July 13, 2020, reflecting broader industry shifts toward streaming amid declining linear cable viability.[74] [71] This transition enabled global distribution without the constraints of network scheduling, aligning with Netflix's emphasis on international appeal through aspirational, visually driven content.[75]Casting decisions
Creator Darren Star selected Lily Collins to play the lead role of Emily Cooper, emphasizing her blend of toughness and likability, which he deemed crucial for sustaining the character's optimistic drive amid cultural clashes.[76] Star compared Collins' qualities to those of Holly Hunter in Broadcast News, noting an unexpected resilience she brought to auditions that aligned with the role's demands for carrying a series.[76] To achieve authenticity in depicting Parisian life, Star prioritized casting native French actors for principal French characters, sourcing talent directly from France rather than relying on international approximations.[76] This approach extended to Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, who was offered the role of Sylvie Grateau by Star himself; she accepted due to his established skill as a storyteller, viewing the opportunity as a platform to explore complex professional dynamics.[77] Similarly, Lucas Bravo secured the part of Gabriel after an initial rejection by the studio, during which he withdrew to the mountains before being reconsidered for his fit in the romantic lead.[78] For the supporting role of Mindy Chen, Star cast Ashley Park after observing her performance as Gretchen Wieners in the Broadway production of Mean Girls, prioritizing chemistry and prior stage presence to support ensemble interactions.[76] These selections reflected Star's broader strategy of balancing American appeal with localized realism, though the inclusion of non-French actors in multicultural roles like Mindy's drew subsequent critiques for ethnic mismatches, such as Park's Korean heritage in a character of unspecified but East Asian-coded background.[79]Filming process
Principal photography for the first season occurred from August 12 to November 14, 2019, primarily in Paris and its surrounding Île-de-France region.[80] Filming utilized numerous real locations across the city, such as Place de l'Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement for the exterior of protagonist Emily Cooper's apartment building, to evoke an authentic Parisian atmosphere.[80][81] Production for the second season commenced on May 3, 2021, and wrapped on August 4, 2021, shifting between Paris and Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera.[82][80] This schedule coincided with France's COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, requiring the cast and crew to adhere to stringent health protocols, including limited gatherings and testing, while the series itself depicted no pandemic elements in its narrative.[83][84] The third season's principal photography began on June 2, 2022, continuing the focus on Parisian sites like the Jardin du Palais-Royal and various cafés, with post-production enabling a December release.[80][85] Filming for the fourth season started in January 2024, incorporating expanded locations beyond Paris, including the French Alps at Megève for ski chalet scenes, Claude Monet's house and gardens in Giverny, the Roland-Garros stadium during the French Open, and multiple sites in Rome, Italy, such as the Hotel Eden and Acqua Paola Fountain.[86][87][88] The production process emphasized on-location shooting for exteriors to leverage natural light and urban vibrancy, while interiors like agency offices were often recreated on soundstages or adapted from existing buildings, with scripts sometimes finalized concurrently with filming to allow flexibility.[89][90] The fifth season, renewed prior to the fourth's release, initiated filming in spring 2025, including sequences in Venice, Italy, though a production assistant director died on set there in August 2025 from a collapse unrelated to scripted content.[91][92] Across seasons, the approach prioritized over 80 distinct Parisian landmarks, streets, and businesses—such as boulangeries on Rue des Fossés-Saint-Jacques—for verisimilitude, minimizing green-screen use to ground the visual style in tangible urban realism.[93][94]Music and soundtrack
The original score for the first three seasons of Emily in Paris was composed by Chris Alan Lee, known for his work on television comedies. James Newton Howard composed the main title theme, which recurs across episodes.[95][96] For season 4, Gabriel Mann took over scoring duties, contributing selections of original music featured in the soundtrack.[97][95] Soundtrack albums compiling songs from the series have been released digitally, primarily through Milan Records and Republic Records, emphasizing upbeat, pop-infused tracks aligned with the show's romantic comedy tone. The initial album, Emily in Paris (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series), was issued on December 31, 2021, spanning 21 tracks and 40 minutes, including licensed songs and originals performed by cast member Ashley Park as Mindy Chen.[98][99] A standout is "Mon Soleil," a French-language pop song sung by Park, produced by Freddy Wexler, which gained fan attention for its integration into plot points involving Chen's aspiring music career. Subsequent releases built on this, with the season 3 soundtrack incorporating new Ashley Park performances, a Les Gordon remix of "Mon Soleil," and additional compositions by Chris Alan Lee.[100] The season 4 album, released digitally on September 13, 2024, features a blend of vocal tracks from the season—such as "Heart of Glass (Cœur de Verre)"—alongside Mann's score selections, available for streaming on platforms including Amazon Music.[97] Music supervisor Brienne Rose oversaw the selection of licensed tracks, drawing from French and international pop catalogs to evoke Parisian chic, including covers like Park's rendition of "Shallow" and period influences from artists such as Brigitte Bardot.[96] These elements underscore the series' use of music to heighten cultural contrasts and character arcs, though critics have noted the soundtrack's reliance on formulaic pop over deeper musical innovation.[101]Release and marketing
Premiere and distribution
Emily in Paris premiered exclusively on Netflix with the release of its first season on October 2, 2020, consisting of all ten episodes made available simultaneously for global streaming to subscribers.[102][1] The series, originally developed for Paramount Network, was acquired by Netflix prior to its debut, shifting it to the streaming platform's distribution model.[103] Subsequent seasons adhered to Netflix's binge-release strategy, dropping full seasons at once except for season 4, which was divided into two parts to extend viewer engagement. Season 2 launched on December 22, 2021; season 3 on December 21, 2022; and season 4's part 1 on August 15, 2024, followed by part 2 on September 12, 2024.[104][105][57] Season 5 is set to premiere on December 18, 2025, with all ten episodes releasing together.[4]| Season | Release Date(s) | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 2, 2020 | 10 |
| 2 | December 22, 2021 | 10 |
| 3 | December 21, 2022 | 10 |
| 4 | Part 1: August 15, 2024 Part 2: September 12, 2024 | 5 + 5 |
| 5 | December 18, 2025 (scheduled) | 10 |