Fans of Emily in Paris who have been wondering about the fate of the charming British banker Alfie can relax. Lucien Laviscount will officially return as Alfie in the upcoming fifth season, and this time, he is back as a series regular, promising significantly more screen time.
The fifth season of the hit Netflix show is set to premiere on December 18, 2025. After a reduced role in the fourth season, Alfie’s return to a main cast position signals that he will play a key part in the drama unfolding between Paris and Rome.
Alfie’s Return and Expanded Role
After appearing in a recurring capacity for the fourth season due to scheduling conflicts, Lucien Laviscount has made a deal to return as a series regular for Season 5. This means Alfie will have a much larger presence compared to the previous chapter.
In the storyline, Alfie has remained in Paris, focusing on his career as the CFO of Maison Lavaux and building a new life after his heartbreak with Emily. He was even seen encouraging his former rival, Gabriel, to pursue his feelings for Emily. Despite now being in another relationship, his professional connections and integral role in the friend group ensure he remains a key figure in the show’s world.
Actor Lucien Laviscount has expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the role. He teased that the new season is full of unexpected twists.
“I didn’t know what to expect — none of us do before we get the scripts — and we got the scripts for this season and it’s… Yeah, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen that coming,” Laviscount shared.
He also praised his character’s honest nature, a trait he relates to personally. “I think Alfie kind of always speaks his truth, which I’d like to say is a trait of mine. In the most difficult situations, he speaks the truth.”
A Tale of Two Cities: Season 5 Setting
Season 5 is described as “a tale of two cities: Rome and Paris.” While Emily is now the head of Agence Grateau’s Rome office, the show is not abandoning its original setting.
Creator Darren Star confirmed that the show’s title remains Emily in Paris for a reason. “She didn’t change her Instagram handle to Emily in Rome. She is working in Rome sometimes. Sylvie’s company has an office in Rome. Emily’s getting that on its feet,” he told Deadline. “I don’t necessarily think that it means a permanent move to Rome. We’re not leaving Paris.”
The official synopsis reveals that Emily will face both professional and romantic challenges in her new Italian life. Just as things seem to fall into place, a work idea backfires, leading to heartbreak and career setbacks. The season will also see the characters in new luxurious locations, including Venice.
The Complicated Love Life of Emily Cooper
Alfie’s return adds another layer to Emily’s already complicated love life. The Season 4 finale left Emily in Rome with her new boyfriend, the handsome Italian fashion scion Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini. However, in the final moments, Gabriel had an epiphany and realized he did not want to let Emily go, spurred on by none other than Alfie himself.
This sets the stage for a complex dynamic in Season 5. With Gabriel potentially heading to Rome to win Emily back, and Alfie back in the picture with a promoted role, Emily’s romantic decisions are far from clear.
Lily Collins, who plays Emily, has said that Marcello represents a new kind of adventure for her character. “Marcello is a whole other adventure that we want for Emily, because we ultimately want Emily to be able to have a better work-life balance,” Collins stated. “We want to have Emily be able to smile without condition.”
Full Cast Details
The main cast returning for Season 5 includes Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), and Lucas Bravo (Gabriel). Despite some public frustration from Bravo about his character’s direction, it has been confirmed that he will return as the charismatic chef.
Also returning are Samuel Arnold (Julien), Bruno Gouery (Luc), William Abadie (Antoine Lambert), and Eugenio Franceschini (Marcello). New cast members include Minnie Driver as Princess Jane, a friend of Sylvie’s who married into royalty, Bryan Greenberg as Jake, an American living in Paris, and Michèle Laroque as Yvette, an old friend of Sylvie.
One notable absence will be Camille Razat, who played Camille. The actress confirmed her departure, stating that her character’s storyline had “naturally come to an end.”
What to Expect from Alfie
With Lucien Laviscount back as a series regular, Alfie is poised to be central to the season’s drama. His promotion suggests he will be more involved in the core storylines, whether through his work with Antoine Lambert, his friendships, or his potential re-entry into Emily’s orbit.
Laviscount teased that fans should “strap in” for the new season, hinting at surprising plot developments. The actor also mentioned that the cast filmed “quite a little bit in Rome,” indicating that Alfie will be part of the action in the Italian capital alongside Emily and Gabriel.
Also Read: Emily in Paris Season 4 Love Life: Emily’s New Chapter in Rome Changes Everything
Credits: Netflix Tudum, Deadline, People
