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Lily Collins did not see this coming. When Emily in Paris first started, no one imagined it would spark talk between two European capitals. Now, Paris and Rome are both weighing in on Emily’s address.
At the Season 5 premiere, Collins addressed it with humor rather than shock in an interview with Variety.
I never expected in a million years we would be a part of a European political love triangle
The moment felt genuine. This was not a PR move. It was a genuine surprise.
Emily in Paris: Season 5
Why does Rome enter the picture in Season 5?
Emily in Paris Season 5 opens in Rome, and that choice was very intentional. Emily moves there to run the Grateau office and start fresh, both at work and in love. The first two episodes shown at the Paris premiere take place fully in Italy.
Marcello enters her life, bringing a slower pace and a different kind of charm, and Darren Star made one thing clear to fans right away. But Paris still matters, and the story does come back.
When a TV storyline meets real politics
Things escalated once Emmanuel Macron reacted to the Rome setting. The French president publicly said he would “fight hard” to keep the show in Paris. Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, answered back, keeping it playful but pointed.
Hence, what could have stayed online chatter turned into global headlines. Ted Sarandos later called it a “very friendly rivalry,” and that tone fits. It shows how much attention the series now commands.
A Paris premiere with extra meaning
Emily in Paris Season 5 premiered at the Grand Rex in Paris with full red carpet energy. Lily Collins, Ashley Park, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lucas Bravo, and Lucien Laviscount all attended.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and creator Darren Star joined them on stage. The timing mattered, and the star had just received the Legion of Honor from Macron. That detail gave the night a greater sense of importance, making it feel more than a TV launch, but a statement.
Emily is no longer just escapism
Collins spoke about how the show has changed over time—early seasons focused on fantasy and comfort during the pandemic.
Season 5 leans more into growth and discomfort. Collins noted:
Every year it really does feel like Emily learns more and more and grows as a person.
In Emily in Paris, Emily now walks into rooms with more confidence and also allows herself to be unsure, and that matters.
Letting go of perfection
Collins highlighted vulnerability as a key shift this season and said that,
This year was really special to see her taking on new challenges and also being okay with vulnerability more
Emily does not try to get everything right anymore, and that change feels earned, not forced. It reflects where the audience is now, too, as growth rarely looks neat, and the show seems aware of that.
The cast leans into deeper emotions
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu described Sylvie’s arc as softer and more exposed. She called it “breaking the armor,” which fits the tone well. Ashley Park agreed that the writing has grown sharper.
She said the characters of Emily in Paris now carry history, which raises the stakes, and relationships feel heavier because choices now have consequences. This season expects viewers to pay closer attention.
A bolder, more adult tone
Lucien Laviscount teased a racier edge this season. The show moves closer to Sex and the City in spirit. Romance feels less ideal and more complicated: mistakes happen, and people sit with them longer. That shift feels deliberate, not accidental.
New faces and familiar tension
Eugenio Franceschini joins as Marcello, Emily’s Italian love interest. He shared that his audition happened after an overnight trip from the Alps. He spoke highly of Collins, calling her kind and grounded.
Lucas Bravo promised a lighter version of Gabriel this time. He hinted that love may not resolve cleanly for anyone. That honesty fits the season’s mood.
Release details and what comes next
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All 10 episodes of Emily in Paris Season 5 drop on Netflix on December 18. Fans can expect Rome, Paris, and plenty of emotional crossroads moments.
The location debate may grab headlines. But at its core, the show stays focused on growth, choice, and change. For Collins, that unexpected “feud” just proves how far the series has come. Emily may move cities, but the conversation always follows her.
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