After five years, I have fully developed Stockholm syndrome for <em>Emily in Paris</em>, created by TV icon Darren Star. Netflix’s infamous show about an American girl living a French fantasy in Paris has earned considerable flak since its premiere in 2020, with critics and fans calling it every name in the book. Yet, while it’s undeniable that this show is not the peak of prestige TV, it’s also undeniable that it has improved with time, both making up for many of its initial shortcomings while also fully leaning into its inherently absurd, escapist, guilty pleasure premise.
Golden Globe nominee Lily Collins returns as the spirited Emily Cooper, an American thirty-something on a work visa in Paris with an excessive can-do attitude that makes her both annoying and engaging. This time, however, she begins Season 5 where we last left her, and as more parts of her Paris life join her in Rome, Emily finds herself right back where she started, but one thing’s for sure: she’s going to give la dolce vita a try.
What Is ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 About?
Emily in Paris Season 5 begins with Emily in Rome, now presumably running the Italian branch of Agence Grateau. She’s still in a relationship with dreamy Italian fashion heir Marcello Murator (Eugenio Franceschini), although she’s finding it hard to discuss any of her many ideas with his elusive mother, Antonia (Antonia Galiena). Her infallible boss, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), is still in Rome and in an affair with Giancarlo (Raoul Bova), a famous Italian director, which means the comedic duo of Luc (Bruno Gouery) and Julien (Samuel Arnold) are also there, resulting in Agence Grateau’s Rome office becoming far more crowded than Emily expected.
It’s not long before Emily’s BFF, Mindy (Ashley Park), makes her way to Rome under the pretense of performing at an event for Agence Grateau. Mindy is facing a crisis of her own, as, alone in Paris with Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), the two have formed an unexpected attraction. With Alfie also finding his way to Rome, things between them become far more complicated than they anticipated.
Emily in Paris Season 5 features the return of William Abadie as Antoine Lambert, the owner of Maison Lavaux and one of Sylvie’s most high-profile clients. Arnaud Binard reprises his role as Laurent, Sylvie’s husband, while Thalia Besson, in a hilarious casting nod considering who her father is, returns as Geneviève, Laurent’s nepo-baby daughter working at Agence Grateau Paris. Season 5 also features guest appearances from Bryan Greenberg, Michèle Laroque, and Oscar nominee Minnie Driver.
‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 Fully Leans Into Its Italian Fantasy for the Better
From the get-go, it becomes clear that Emily in Paris Season 5 will be the most distinct so far. For one, Emily actually has chemistry with her intended beau, with Collins and Franceschini making for a delightful and quite charming pairing. For the first time in a while, you find yourself rooting for this couple, especially because they seem to make sense together. There’s a similarity between them that makes them a logical fit, as well as a shared ambition and desperation to prove themselves, which makes their dynamic far more interesting. It’s still Emily in Paris we’re talking about, so their relationship remains superficial at best. However, Collins and Franceschini make the most out of it, turning Emily and Marcello into one of Season 5’s highlights.
As you might expect if you’re familiar with this show, the other highlight is Sylvie. It’s no secret that Leroy-Beaulieu is Emily in Paris‘ secret weapon, and the show has used her incredibly well in past seasons; Season 5 is no different. Sylvie has always been a co-lead, but Season 5 makes her more of an equal to Emily — not career-wise since Sylvie is still Emily’s senior but in dynamic. If Emily in Paris Season 5 has one huge strength, it’s the fact that Emily and Sylvie's relationship takes center stage. Both characters still earn plenty of individual storylines including romantic shenanigans, a much-welcome plot where Sylvie reconnects with an old female friend, and Emily and Mindy’s friendship serving as the core of the show in more ways than one. However, Emily and Sylvie’s partnership also evolves moving away from their initial antagonism and subsequent mentor-mentee dynamic to become a genuine bond between two women who appreciate and respect each other. It’s a brilliant choice, one which Collins and Leroy-Beaulieu play delightfully. For all the criticism Emily in Paris gets for its bland romances, it should earn as much praise for how much chemistry its leading ladies have with each other.
The 34 Best Comedy Shows on Netflix Right Now, Including ‘Emily in Paris’ (September 2024)
These shows are all guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
As one might expect from a season set in Italy especially one as happy to embrace how basic it is,Emily in Paris features a lot of what you might expect from a Roman holiday. Montages of the characters enjoying Italian cuisine with slow-mo close-ups of the food? Check. Gorgeous vistas of major Roman landmarks? Check. A trip to the Italian countryside and an eventual stop in Venice? Check and check. The show even goes out of its way to style Collins in the most European way possible moving Emily away from her busy Paris prints in favor of a more laid-back approach that evokes — who else —Audrey Hepburn in her Oscar-winning role.
‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 Still Repeats the Same Old Habits
Image via Netflix
Alas,Emily in Paris Season 5 is not completely perfect. In fact,most of the storylines that aren’t directly related to Emily and Sylvie never click, which sadly includes Mindy’s arc. Ashley Park remains a winning part of Emily in Paris, and her musical numbers are always a welcome distraction in a show comprised entirely of them but for the first time Mindy’s arc has more to do with men than her personal growth or career aspirations. The trailer for the season has already spoiled the prospect of Mindy and Alfie getting together but unfortunately it comes across as more of a way to give two long-running characters something to do rather than a romance born out of a genuine connection.
Luc and Julien remain strong comedic relief but the show could do so much more with them. While Luc earns the spotlight a few times Julien is sidelined more by comparison reduced to the sassy bitchy character offering one-liners and witty insults. Arnold is great at that but he’s also a compelling presence on screen and it’s truly frustrating thatEmily in Paris refuses to give him a deeper arc. The same goes for Minnie Driver who shows up to do what she does best: play another loud obnoxious yet undeniably entertaining version of Lorraine Finster her character from<em>Will & Grace</em>. Driver is always a welcome presence butEmily in Paris should have really done a better job of utilizing her talents.
As was previously announced,Emily in Paris Season 5 losesCamille Razat as a series regular which was probably for the best since it was clear the show didn’t know what to do with her character anymore. However there’s one other huge elephant in the room: Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) Emily’s on-again-off-again chef love interest. Bravo has been open about his mixed feelings regarding the writing for his character a sentiment many fans surely echo. Without spoiling anything Gabriel is back for Season 5 but it’s frustrating that the show still doesn’t seem to know what to do with his and Emily’s relationship.Emily in Pariswould probably return for a sixth (and possibly final?) season but for now,the Emily-Gabriel dynamic remains the least interesting part of a season that could’ve greatly benefited from fully embracing the new slate itsEmily in Rome premise allowed.
‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 Is Probably as Good as It Gets
One ofEmily in Paris‘ greatest strengths is its willingness to acknowledge that its titular character is super annoying and Season 5 is no exception. Many of the show’s best episodes see Emily receiving a much-needed wake-up call allowing her to take it down a notch and admit her overenthusiasm can be negative or even toxic.By Season 5 Emily is much more laid-back yet still distinctively driven — and probably the best version of herself
. The same can be said of the season as a whole withEmily in Paris proudly embracing its identity as silly non-demanding entertainment.
Emily in Paris Season 5 is the right kind of comfort food for the holidays:luxurious delicious and ultimately disposable. It’s imperfect messy and refuses to engage any deep ideas concerning its characters but it’s also a lot more self-referential and self-aware. Perhaps I’ve just gotten used to Emily’s brand of toxic positivity or perhaps I just need a good dose of escapism this Christmas but I think the same could be said for many viewers out there.Emily in Paris Season 5 won’t win over any new fans but if you’ve stuck with Emily this long then there’s no reason you won’t enjoy her latest adventure in the Eternal City.
