How sizzling storylines & fabulous fashion made us fall for Emily In Paris (2024)

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.

Last year 118million hours of season three were watched in seven days, and in 2022 it was crowned the streamer’s most-watched show.

The romantic comedy-drama follows US advertising exec Emily Cooper as she moves to Paris for a big career break and struggles to navigate the intricacies of French amour.

But when it launched in the middle of 2020’s pandemic, it was “ambient TV” at best.

A mindless watch, it left many viewers with little more than an itch to book a mini break.

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In France it was largely ridiculed, as Parisians bemoaned the city being reduced to a string of cliches, including endless vino, berets and high heels on polished cobbled streets.

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 co*cktails to the ballet as she juggled two handsome paramours.

The new series finds Emily — played by Lily Collins, 35 — at a crossroads.

Having settled on hot French chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), she learns he is expecting a baby with his ex-girlfriend.

But it is too late to return to her other lover, British banker Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), as he has realised how deeply she had fallen for his rival.

Deputy TV Editor Felicity Cross charts how the silly series has since captured viewers’ hearts.

The stars

AS the daughter of rock legend Phil, Lily Collins was born for stardom, 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 was not until she became Emily Cooper in 2020 that she really came of age.

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 said: “This is the year that Emily really becomes the most vulnerable. Emily feels more feelings – everyone feels more feelings this year.”

Lily added: “I’m excited for people to see the transition this season. I’m proud of it.”

But it is our home-grown hunk Lucien Laviscount who can really thank Emily In Paris for transforming his life.

Growing up in Lancashire, he got his break when he was scouted, aged ten, as a model for David Beckham’s Marks & Spencer range. Roles in TV’s Grange Hill and Waterloo Road followed.

He had romances with Towie’s Amy Childs, singer Kerry Katona and Corrie’s Brooke Vincent – but after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011, his acting career dwindled.

Then Emily In Paris came calling and sent his star soaring.

Yesterday Lucien, 32, revealed: “I was only meant to do two episodes.

“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 is a hint that Brigitte Macron, the wife of President of France Emmanuel, may feature in the show 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).

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.

Tourists can now 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 arrondissem*nt, 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 launch the McBaguette for McDonald’s.

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 video charting her love triangle’s recent implosion has gone viral.

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.

Emily’s boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, 61), who is in an open marriage, has her own sizzling love triangle to deal with.

Viewers relish how Sylvie, is not reduced to the role of a cantankerous older woman but exudes sassy sex appeal.