The world of Emily Cooper just got a royal upgrade. Minnie Driver, the Academy Award-nominated actress, has officially joined the cast of Emily in Paris Season 5, which premiered on Netflix on December 18, 2025. This new season takes a trip to Italy, introducing fresh faces and new adventures for the marketing maven, with Driver’s character, a spirited and savvy princess, becoming an instant scene-stealer. Her arrival marks one of the most exciting cast additions for the show’s fifth year.
Who Is Princess Jane, Minnie Driver’s New Character?
Minnie Driver steps into the role of Princess Jane, a charismatic and flamboyant socialite who is an old friend of Sylvie Grateau, Emily’s boss. Described as a woman who married into royalty, Jane is now navigating a life of “palazzo poor”—elegant but cash-strapped. She offers to leverage her high-society connections to help Sylvie’s marketing agency, Agence Grateau, land major Italian clients like Fendi and Fiat, but her assistance always comes with a price tag.
Driver described her character to the press as a “bit of a manipulator” who is always “working an angle”. With an unapologetic love for luxury labels and a talent for blending friendship with business, Princess Jane brings a new, hilariously pragmatic energy to the show’s glossy world. The actress, best known for films like Good Will Hunting and Circle of Friends, was thrilled to join the series, stating, “I am beyond thrilled to be joining this sensational cast and show”.
A Tale of Two Cities: Season 5’s Italian Adventure
Season 5 continues directly from the events of Season 4, where Emily decided to move to Rome to open an Italian branch for Agence Grateau. Creator Darren Star has called this season “a tale of two cities: Rome and Paris,” with Emily “straddling both” as she advances her career and personal life. While the show’s title remains unchanged, a significant portion of the new episodes follows Emily’s adjustment to Italian culture, her new role leading the Rome office, and her deepening relationship with Italian cashmere heir Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini.
The core cast returns, including Lily Collins as Emily, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, and Ashley Park as Mindy. Newcomers also include Bryan Greenberg as Jake, another American expat, and Michèle Laroque as Yvette, a friend of Sylvie’s. Notably, Camille Razat, who played Gabriel’s longtime girlfriend, confirmed she would not be returning, stating her character’s storyline had reached a natural end.
Why Princess Jane Is the Season’s Standout
From her first appearance, Princess Jane becomes a memorable force. Critics and viewers have highlighted Minnie Driver’s performance as a highlight of the new season, praising her ability to deliver both cutting wit and surprising heart.
Jane’s friendship with Sylvie is built on a shared history of wild nights and blunt honesty. In one scene, offering Sylvie advice on an affair, Jane quips:
“You picked the right city for an affair … have fun on Saturday night, confess Sunday!”
Her interactions with Emily are less warm but equally direct. Expressing confusion about Marcello’s interest in Emily, Jane asks pointed questions, genuinely trying to look out for the American in her own unique way. Her character serves as a sharp, comedic conduit for the show’s famously over-the-top product placements, often breaking the fourth wall to deliver exaggerated endorsements.
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What This Means for Emily’s Story
The introduction of Princess Jane directly impacts Emily’s professional journey in Rome. As a gateway to Italy’s elite and luxury brands, Jane’s “for a fee” partnership with Agence Grateau presents new opportunities and comedic challenges. Her presence shakes up the dynamic, offering a foil to Sylvie’s Parisian chic and Emily’s American optimism.
Meanwhile, Emily’s romantic life remains complicated. While she explores her relationship with Marcello, her former flame, chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), has realized he wants her back and makes his feelings known. This sets up a new love triangle that unfolds against the backdrop of Rome and Paris. The season also teases a surprising romantic connection between Emily’s best friend, Mindy, and her ex-boyfriend, Alfie (Lucien Laviscount).
Emily in Paris Season 5, consisting of 10 episodes, is now streaming globally on Netflix.
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