Emily in Paris Shifts to Rome, Sparking a Playful Feud Over Emily’s Heart

The hit Netflix show Emily in Paris is serving up more than just fashion and romance in its fifth season—it has ignited a lighthearted international debate. As Emily Cooper trades the Seine for the Tiber, the move has sparked friendly competition between Paris and Rome, charmingly framed as a “European political love triangle” by star Lily Collins. The new season arrived on Netflix on December 18, 2025.

This major location shift sees Emily moving to Rome to open an Italian office for Agence Grateau while exploring a new romance with cashmere heir Marcello. The relocation became a topic of real-world banter, with French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly vowing to “fight hard” to keep the show in Paris after learning of the Italian plans.

The Real-World Rivalry Behind the Scenes

The playful tension between the two European capitals moved from the script to real life. At the show’s season five premiere in Paris on December 15, 2025, Lily Collins addressed the situation directly.

“I never expected in a million years we would be a part of a a European political love triangle,” Collins said with a laugh at the premiere.

The friendly feud escalated when Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, also entered the conversation, creating a charming narrative of two cities vying for the show’s affection. Creator Darren Star even teased that after First Lady Brigitte Macron’s cameo in season four, President Macron himself could be next, stating, “I asked him, so let’s see what happens!”.

A “Tale of Two Cities” and a New Love Triangle

Despite the Roman holiday, the show remains firmly Emily in Paris. Creator Darren Star describes the fifth season as “a tale of two cities: Rome and Paris,” assuring fans that Emily maintains a presence in both locations. The move was designed to expand the show’s footprint and explore new cultural dynamics.

“Straddling both, Emily takes love and life to the next level,” Star said about the new season.

The Italian adventure complicates Emily’s already messy love life. She is in Rome with her new boyfriend, Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini. However, her former flame, chef Gabriel, played by Lucas Bravo, has realized he wants her back and is determined to fight for her. This sets up a new cross-border love triangle that drives much of the season’s drama.

Inside Emily’s Roman Holiday: Iconic Filming Locations

Production for the season filmed extensively across Italy, using over 40 locations in and around Rome and later moving to Venice for the season finale. The show aims to showcase Italian beauty, much like it did for Paris.

Key Roman locations fans will see include:

• Hotel Eden: The luxurious hotel where the season four finale took place and where Emily bases herself.
• Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana: The striking Fascist-era building, now the headquarters of Fendi, which plays a key role.
• Coppedè District: The fairytale-like neighborhood where Emily’s new Roman office, Agence Grateau Rome, is located.
• The Aventine Keyhole: A famous peephole on Aventine Hill that offers a stunning framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica, providing a “Roman Holiday” moment for Emily and Marcello.

The production also filmed at a seaside luxury hotel, La Posta Vecchia, for a lavish party scene and ventured into the countryside for truffle hunting. The fictional Muratori family town of Solitano was filmed in Ostia, near Rome, inspired by the real Umbrian town of Solomeo, home to Brunello Cucinelli.

A Grown-Up Emily and a Steamy New Season

The cast and creator suggest this season shows a more mature Emily and a series that has “grown up” . Lily Collins noted her character is embracing vulnerability, while Lucas Bravo promised a “lighter, sexier” Gabriel.

“This season is racier than previous ones,” said Lucien Laviscount, who plays Alfie. “Things get steamy”.

New faces joining the cast include Minnie Driver as Princess Jane, a royal friend of Sylvie’s, and Bryan Greenberg as Jake, an American living in Paris. The season premiered with a star-studded event at Paris’s Le Grand Rex theater, where the cast walked the red carpet in high fashion that mirrored their on-screen style.

The release of all ten episodes marks a return to a full-season drop on Netflix. Early viewer data from season four suggests a strong audience is waiting; that season reached #1 on the Netflix Global Top 10 with 19.9 million views in its first four days.

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