Emily in Paris Season 5 Sets Netflix Premiere for December 18 Amid Italian Escapades and Cast Shakeups

Netflix’s glossy rom-com staple Emily in Paris is gearing up for its fifth season, with the streaming giant confirming a December 18 premiere date that promises to blend Parisian flair with Italian intrigue. The announcement, which dropped alongside first-look photos teasing Emily Cooper’s adventures across Rome, Venice, and the City of Light, comes as the series continues to draw massive viewership despite mixed reviews on its soapy plotlines and cultural portrayals. Created by Darren Star, known for hits like Sex and the City, the show follows the fish-out-of-water tale of American marketing whiz Emily as she navigates love, career chaos, and high fashion in Europe. Season 5 picks up after the Season 4 finale’s cliffhanger, where Emily relocates to Rome to helm a new office for her firm, Agence Grateau, sparking questions about whether her expat journey will pivot permanently southward.

The renewal for Season 5 was revealed in September 2024, mere days after Season 4 Part 2 debuted to strong numbers, topping Netflix’s Global Top 10 with 19.9 million views in its first four days and lingering on charts in 93 countries. Production kicked off in mid-2025, spanning Rome as the primary new hub, with additional shoots in Venice and returns to Paris sets. All 10 episodes will drop at once, allowing for the binge-watching frenzy that has become the show’s hallmark, unlike the split release of Season 4. Netflix’s Tudum site described the season as “a tale of two cities,” with Emily “straddling both, taking love and life to the next level” amid professional hurdles and romantic entanglements.

At the center is Lily Collins reprising her role as Emily Cooper, the Chicago transplant whose relentless optimism and social media savvy have made her a polarizing yet addictive protagonist. Collins, who announced the Season 5 news on Good Morning America, has hinted at Emily’s evolving dynamic with her new Italian flame, Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini. First-look images show Collins gliding through Venetian canals alongside Franceschini and her best friend Mindy, suggesting a sun-soaked escape that could deepen their romance but also complicate Emily’s ties back in Paris. The official logline teases Emily facing “professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city,” only for a botched work idea to trigger “heartbreak and career setbacks,” forcing her to confront secrets that threaten close relationships. Star emphasized the season’s intent to “stay ahead of the audience and take them to unexpected places,” expanding the show’s footprint beyond France without abandoning its roots.

The ensemble cast remains largely intact, blending familiar faces with fresh additions to inject new drama. Returning regulars include Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as the sharp-tongued boss Sylvie Grateau, Ashley Park as aspiring singer Mindy Chen, Lucas Bravo as chef Gabriel – Emily’s on-again, off-again love interest – and Lucien Laviscount as British exec Alfie. Others back in the mix are Samuel Arnold as Julien, Bruno Gouery as Luc, William Abadie as Antoine Lambert, Thalia Besson as Genevieve, Paul Forman as Nico, and Arnaud Binard as Laurent G. Notably absent is Camille Razat as Camille, Gabriel’s ex and Emily’s former friend-turned-rival, whose storyline wrapped with a pregnancy reveal in Season 4. Razat confirmed her exit in an April 2025 Instagram post, stating her character’s arc had “naturally come to an end,” a move Star described as giving her narrative a fitting close.

Newcomers add layers of royalty and expatriate vibes: Minnie Driver joins as Princess Jane, a royal friend of Sylvie’s; Bryan Greenberg as Jake, an American expat in Paris; and Michèle Laroque as Yvette, another of Sylvie’s old acquaintances. Laviscount teased “major plot twists” in interviews, noting even he was surprised by script developments, while Collins expressed excitement over Emily’s potential for better work-life balance amid the Marcello romance. Filming wrapped recently, with on-location shots in Venice drawing attention – including a nod from local officials – and Collins sporting a fresh bob haircut that signals Emily’s stylistic evolution.

Emily in Paris has carved out a niche as Netflix’s go-to escapism, launching in 2020 amid pandemic lockdowns and amassing a global fanbase hooked on its vibrant visuals, wardrobe porn, and lighthearted drama. The series, loosely inspired by real-life marketing mishaps, follows Emily’s relocation to Paris for a dream job, where her American candor clashes with French sophistication, leading to viral campaigns, messy love triangles, and endless Eiffel Tower backdrops. Seasons have escalated from Emily’s initial culture shock to corporate intrigue at Savoir (later Agence Grateau), with Season 4 introducing the Rome pivot via Marcello, a fashion heir who sweeps her off her feet on a Vespa. Critics have knocked the show for glossing over cultural nuances – like portraying Parisians as perpetually chic snobs – and formulaic plots, but its unapologetic fantasy has fueled four seasons and merchandise tie-ins.

Season 5’s dual-city setup raises stakes: Will Emily’s Roman branch thrive or implode under her leadership? How will Gabriel and Alfie factor into her divided heart, especially after Season 4’s encouragement for Gabriel to pursue her? The synopsis hints at fallout from a failed project rippling into personal betrayals, potentially straining her bond with Mindy or Sylvie. Star’s production team, including exec producers Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, and Andrew Fleming, aims to balance the froth with deeper growth, as Emily seeks “stability” in her French roots before embracing “new possibilities.” Behind-the-scenes buzz includes an amfAR auction for a walk-on role that fetched €250,000 in 2024, underscoring the show’s charitable draw and star power.

As filming concluded, cast chemistry remains a highlight. Collins and Park’s real-life friendship mirrors their onscreen one, while Bravo’s “manifesting” for guest stars like Kim Cattrall adds speculative fun – though unconfirmed. The season’s visuals, from Roman ruins to Venetian gondolas, promise Instagram-ready aesthetics that have defined the series’ appeal. With no trailer yet, anticipation builds around how Emily’s “la dolce vita” clashes with unresolved Paris drama, potentially setting up a sixth season if viewership holds.

Emily in Paris Season 5 arrives December 18 on Netflix, offering holiday-season diversion for fans craving romance and reinvention. Whether it evolves beyond its guilty-pleasure status or doubles down on escapism, the show’s blend of cultures and couture ensures it remains a streaming fixture. Previous seasons are available now for catch-up binges.