The new season, which moves the action to Rome and back to Paris, attempts to shift its narrative focus but leaves viewers questioning if the core character has truly evolved.
The fifth season of Emily in Paris is now streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to follow marketing executive Emily Cooper on her latest European adventure in Rome. While the change in scenery promised a fresh start, the season has ignited a significant discussion among its fanbase. A central critique, echoed in viewer reactions online, is that the series’ attempt to move Emily beyond her “boy-crazy” label by introducing yet another romantic interest may have had the opposite effect.
The ten-episode season premiered globally on December 18, 2025. All episodes were released at once, becoming available at 12:01 AM Pacific Time.
What Happens in Season 5?
Season 5 picks up directly after the events of the previous season. Emily has moved to Rome to open a new Italian office for Agence Grateau, a task given to her by her boss, Sylvie. This professional move is intertwined with her new romantic relationship with the handsome Italian businessman, Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini. The initial episodes show Emily embracing “la dolce vita,” but the Roman holiday is short-lived.
The core tension of the season revolves around Emily’s struggle to balance this new chapter with unresolved feelings from her past. As creator Darren Star described, this season is “a tale of two cities,” with Emily straddling her life in Rome and her deep-rooted connections in Paris. This includes her complicated history with chef Gabriel, who, at the end of Season 4, realized he wanted to fight for a relationship with her.
A significant and controversial subplot involves a brief romantic fling between Emily’s best friend, Mindy, and her ex-boyfriend, Alfie. This secret relationship, which begins during a visit to Rome and continues after returning to Paris, leads to the first major fight between Emily and Mindy after the truth is revealed.
Fan Reaction to the Season’s Romantic Focus
The fan response to Season 5 has been mixed, with a notable portion expressing disappointment that Emily’s story remains heavily centered on romantic turbulence. Online discussions suggest that while fans did not necessarily want less romance, they hoped for better-defined priorities for the main character.
A common sentiment is that the introduction of Marcello to demonstrate Emily’s maturity and ability to have a stable, available partner did not achieve its goal for many viewers. Critics argue that Emily’s quick shutdown of his serious proposals felt abrupt and did not convey a sense of deliberate choice. Furthermore, the surprising romantic link between Mindy and Alfie struck many as a forced plot twist.
Fans took to social media to voice their opinions. One viewer posted, “I’ve always defended the show for seasons now. But I can’t defend Alfie & Mindy,” while another called the pairing “weird” and “out of context”. The breach of “girl code” was a particular point of contention, with one comment reading, “Mindy is such a bird for kissing her friends ex”.
A Major Cast Departure
Season 5 also marks the absence of a key character from previous seasons. Camille Razat, who played Camille, the on-again, off-again girlfriend of Gabriel and sometime-friend to Emily, did not return.
The departure was a mutual creative decision. Show creator Darren Star stated that Camille’s story “had a natural finish” following her emotional arc in Season 4, which involved a false pregnancy and a decision to focus on starting a family. Razat confirmed her exit on Instagram, expressing gratitude for her time on the show and explaining that it felt like “the right moment to explore new horizons”. She has since been working on other projects, including series for Netflix and Disney+, and has launched her own production company.
Lily Collins and other co-stars left supportive comments on Razat’s announcement, with Collins writing, “Love you sister. It’s been a wild ride and an absolute pleasure”.
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Where to Watch and What’s Next
All episodes of Emily in Paris Season 5 are available to stream exclusively on Netflix. A standard Netflix subscription is required, with plans starting at $7.99 per month with ads.
As for the future, Netflix has not yet officially confirmed a sixth season. The finale of Season 5 leaves several doors open, and creator Darren Star has expressed that the show has “the ability to have a bigger footprint,” suggesting that Emily’s European journey is far from over.
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