AFTER two weeks as the glorious backdrop for the Olympics, the French capital will swap record-breakers for its resident romcom. Tomorrow, Netflix hit Emily In Paris returns for its fourth series and is set to smash a few records of its own. 9 This week, Netflix hit Emily In Paris returns for its fourth series Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc.
In 2023, some 118million hours of season three were watched in seven days and in 2022, it was crowned the streamer’s most watched show. But when Emily In Paris launched in the middle of 2020’s pandemic, following American advertising exec Emily Cooper as she moves to the city for a big career break and struggles to navigate the intricacies of French amour, it was “ambient TV” at best. A mindless watch, leaving viewers with little more than an itch to book a mini break.
In France it was largely ridiculed, with Parisians bemoaning the city being reduced to a string of cliches with endless vino, berets and high heels on polished, cobble streets. READ MORE ON NETFLIX SEEDS OF DOUBT Love Is Blind UK fans convinced Sam ‘is a producer plant Then viewers realised that was entirely the point — Emily In Paris wasn’t meant to reflect real life. Instead she handled nonsensical advertising campaigns for luxury clients, hotfooting across the capital from cocktails to the ballet as she juggled two handsome paramours.
The new series finds Emily, played by Lily Collins , at a crossroads. Having finally settled on hot French chef Gabriel ( Lucas Bravo ), she learns he is expecting a baby with his ex-girlfriend. Most read in Streaming FARM FAIL Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper makes a ‘new rule’ in very rude rant SPY DRAMA Apple TV hit drama with A-list cast's return date revealed BED CLAIMS ‘Real Baby Reindeer stalker’ takes swipe and taunts 'Gadd never got me in bed' But it is too late to return to her other lover, British banker Alfie ( Lucien Laviscount ), as he has realised how deeply she’d fallen for his rival.
Deputy TV Editor Felicity Cross charts how the silly series has captured viewers’ hearts. Jack Whitehall is laughing all the way to the bank after raking in millions from Netflix The stars AS the daughter of rock legend Phil, Lily Collins was born for stardom, even taking her first job at the age of two in BBC sitcom Growing Pains. But despite critical acclaim in a string of roles as she grew up it wasn’t until she became Emily Cooper in 2020 that she really came of age.
9 Homegrown hunk Lucien Laviscount can thank Emily In Paris for transforming his life Credit: Getty 9 Laviscount as Alfie in the series Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. Fans love her girl-next-door beauty and imperfect, chaotic life. Lily has teased this series will see real change for Emily, describing it as “the season of vulnerability”, with messy, emotional breakdowns.
She added: “I’m excited for people to see the transition this season. I’m proud of it.” But it’s homegrown hunk Lucien Laviscount that can really thank Emily In Paris for transforming his life.
Growing up in Bolton, he got his break when he was scouted as a model aged ten for David Beckham’s Marks & Spencer range then a role in Grange Hill and Waterloo Road followed. But after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 his acting career dwindled along with romances with Towie’s Amy Childs, Kerry Katona and Corrie’s Brooke Vincent . Then Emily In Paris came calling - and sent his star soaring.
Yesterday, Lucien revealed: “I was only supposed to do two episodes. I remember it was supposed to be my last day, I got this little round of applause, and then Darren Star, the creator, comes in and says, ‘Lucien, you’re not leaving Paris.’ “And I’m like, ‘What have I done wrong?’ I thought I was going to get arrested or something.
“And he went, ‘No, we’re going to keep you around a little bit.’ “I’ve just got to thank the acting gods that are out there somewhere in the ether.” Lucien has now been part of the cast as British banker Alfie since series two.
Teasing what’s to come, he added: “It’s a little bit chaotic, it’s a little bit of a rollercoaster, first half of the season, for Alfie figuring out what’s what. “It’s a little bit heartbreaking, to be honest.” Either way, fans will be chuffed the hunk remains on the scene, with bosses including a string of topless shots to show off his buff body.
Elsewhere Rupert Everett has joined this year’s cast as a big-name interior designer - and there’s a hint the French Premier’s wife Brigitte Macron may feature after she was spotted on set. The fashion CREATED by Darren Star, who also developed Sex And The City for TV, it is little surprise the series bears the hallmarks of its sophisticated older sister. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the wardrobes of Emily and pal Mindy (Ashley Park).
9 Lily Collins playing Emily in a sophisticated suit Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. 9 Characters Emily and Mindy in stylish outfits Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. Patricia Field, the designer behind Sarah Jessica Parker’s outfits in SATC, was also responsible for creating Emily’s look.
And, just like for Carrie Bradshaw, more is more. While costume designer Marylin Fitoussi took over in season two, the maximalism remained. First looks at the new series show Emily in a black and white striped, Zorro-meets-Beetlejuice gown at a masked ball, a clashing pink and green mini dress and a baggy suit.
Darren said: “Fashion has always been in the DNA of Emily In Paris and will continue to be.” Viewers will be pleased to hear it, as Emily’s out-there looks remain an inspiration. While Lily Collins was forced to see a podiatrist weekly to keep up with Emily’s high-heels habit, the impractical outfits go hand-in-hand with the whimsical nature of the show.
The impact has hit the High Street, too. Primark has a range of Emily In Paris pyjamas , featuring red and pink lips, sunglasses and a heart motif. And accessories brand Atelje boasts “as seen on Emily In Paris” on a pearl phone case.
The city WITH almost 50million visitors a year, Paris has never struggled to draw in the crowds. But the arrival of Netflix’s film crew in 2019 sparked a new wave of interest from a fresh generation. 9 There are many stunning filming locations in Emily in Paris Credit: Alamy 9 Terra Nera, an Italian restaurant on Rue des Fosses Saint Jacques, used in the Netflix series Credit: Alamy Now, tourists can spend the entire day immersed in Emily’s world with tours dedicated to the drama.
Some stop off for champagne and a photoshoot, but all take in the real-life locations used by the series. Familiar sites on most tourist lists include the Jardin du Palais Royale, the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre. The Instagram-friendly La Maison Rose in Montmartre is one of Emily’s favourites.
But it is the lesser-known side of Paris that viewers have especially loved seeing. The series has introduced viewers to the 5th arrondissement, known as the Latin quarter, and fans now flock to Emily’s apartment in Place de l’Estrapade and her favourite breakfast spot, La Boulangerie Moderne. In the Sorbonne district is the real gem though, the Parisian bistro manned by Emily’s “hot chef” Gabriel, known as Les Deux Comperes and renamed L’Esprit de Gigi.
More than 15,000 people a year are now said to descend on the quiet square to visit the real restaurant, Terra Nera. Owner Valerio Abate who, ironically, serves an Italian menu, told a reporter: “They queue up outside for pictures; some of them come inside to eat or to take a selfie with me. “But what has mostly changed is the clientele.
This used to be a neighbourhood restaurant; locals only. Now every day I get to meet people from all over the world.” The storyline THE fish-out-of-water tale of a girl’s move to a new city has managed to evolve into quite the saga.
Emily’s work at the marketing agency has seen her promote everything from a fashion brand to pet food and even launching the McBaguette for McDonald’s. 9 We fell in love with Emily In Paris's fantastic plots, pictured Lily Collins as Emily with Lucas Bravo as Gabriel Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. 9 Emily’s work at the marketing agency has seen her promote everything from a fashion brand to pet food Credit: © 2024 Netflix, Inc.
The in-fighting between boutique Agence Grateau and her former employers in the US, Savoir, is juicy alongside the comedic tribulations of her colleagues Julien and Luc. But it is her love life that really has viewers hooked. Series four finds Emily embarrassed as a Tiktok has gone viral, charting her love triangle’s recent implosion.
In the last series’ finale, Camille called off her wedding to Gabriel over his feelings for Emily, leaving her now ex-boyfriend Alfie in bits. The elephant in the room is that Camille is secretly pregnant with Gabriel’s baby. And refreshingly, the romance is not limited to only the pretty little things.
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