Emily in Paris Season 5 drops December 18, 2025 on Netflix—10 episodes premiere at once as Lily Collins splits time between Paris and Rome, French President Macron demands the show return to Paris, and new cast members Minnie Driver and Bryan Greenberg join the controversial European expansion that has fans divided.
Key Takeaways
- Premieres in 3 days: December 18, 2025—all 10 episodes drop at midnight PST
- Paris AND Rome setting—Emily balances assignments between both cities but Paris remains “anchor”
- Lily Collins is both star AND producer—first time she’s taken full producer credit
- New cast: Minnie Driver, Bryan Greenberg, Michèle Laroque join Season 5
- Filming wrapped in August 2025 after assistant director’s sudden death
- Macron demanded show return to Paris—French President said “Emily in Paris must return to… Paris”
- Season 4 ended in cliffhanger—Emily loves Gabriel, Camille pregnant, Alfie breaks up
Background: From Paris to Rome and Back
Emily in Paris follows Chicago marketing executive Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) who lands her dream job in Paris, navigating cultural clashes, romance, and couture. Created by Darren Star (Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210), the Netflix series premiered October 2, 2020 and became a global phenomenon.
Previous Seasons:
- Season 1-3: Entirely Paris-based
- Season 4: Split into two parts (August 15 & September 12, 2024)
- Season 4 ending: Camille reveals pregnancy, Emily confesses love for Gabriel, Alfie breaks up with her
Season 5 Renewal:
Netflix greenlit Season 5 in September 2024. Creator Darren Star insisted: “It’s still ‘Emily in Paris.’ But Emily can certainly have adventures in other cities, and Rome is now an integral part of the show. It truly is.”
Season 4 vs Season 5 Comparison
The Rome Controversy: Macron’s Demand
When Season 4 moved Emily to Rome, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly demanded the show return to Paris.
The statement came during a European premiere event in Rome, creating an awkward moment for Netflix and creator Darren Star. Fans speculated the show had permanently relocated, but Star clarified:
“I don’t necessarily think that it means a permanent move to Rome. In my mind, it’s definitely not a permanent move. We’re not leaving Paris.”
Despite Star’s reassurance, Season 5 features prominent Roman locations, with filming occurring in Venice and Rome throughout August 2025.
New Cast & Characters
Returning Main Cast:
- Lily Collins as Emily Cooper
- Ashley Park as Mindy
- Lucas Bravo as Gabriel
- Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie
- Camille Razat as Camille
New Season 5 Additions:
- Minnie Driver (Oscar nominee) — role undisclosed
- Bryan Greenberg — role undisclosed
- Michèle Laroque — role undisclosed
- Eugenio Franceschini as Marcello (returning from S4)
- Thalia Besson as Genevieve (returning from S4)
The expanded cast suggests international storylines will dominate Season 5.
The Tragedy: Assistant Director’s Death
Season 5 production was marred by tragedy when assistant director died suddenly during filming in August 2025.
The crew paused production to mourn the loss, with Lily Collins posting:
“Our hearts are broken. We lost a beloved member of our family.” — Lily Collins (via Instagram)
Filming resumed after a brief hiatus, with the cast dedicating Season 5 to their colleague’s memory.
What Season 5 Is Actually About
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, Season 5 focuses on consequences and reassessment rather than clean resolutions.
The Plot:
- Emily’s major professional decision backfires, creating fallout
- She must balance assignments between Paris and Italy
- Story emphasizes “reassessment of ambition, loyalty, and long-term priorities”
- Paris remains the narrative anchor—not a permanent Rome relocation
Love Triangle Update:
After Season 4’s cliffhanger, Emily must navigate her feelings for Gabriel while dealing with Camille’s pregnancy and Alfie’s departure. The show’s creator promises “unexpected twists” that test Emily’s heart.
Lily Collins: From Star to Producer
For the first time, Lily Collins takes full producer credit alongside her starring role.
Her Dual Role:
- As Emily: Navigating love and career across Europe
- As Producer: Overseeing storylines, casting, and production decisions
Collins told AP:
“As both the lead and producer, I’ve discovered Emily 2.0—someone who can have adventures in other cities while keeping Paris in her heart.”
The actress is also preparing for her West End debut in a Spanish-themed thriller alongside Álvaro Morte (Money Heist) in October 2025.
Netflix’s December 2025 Strategy
Emily in Paris anchors Netflix’s biggest December release slate.
December 2025 Netflix Premieres:
- December 18: Emily in Paris Season 5 (10 episodes)
- December 20: Stranger Things series finale
- December 25: Holiday rom-coms and blockbuster originals
The streaming service is betting on binge-worthy content to retain subscribers during the competitive holiday season.
Fan Reaction: Divided But Excited
Social media reactions to the Rome move are sharply divided.
Pro-Rome Fans:
- “Emily deserves European adventures!”
- “Rome is perfect for romantic drama”
Pro-Paris Fans:
- “The show is called EMILY IN PARIS”
- “Macron is right—bring her home”
One viral tweet captured the sentiment:
“If Emily stays in Rome, they need to rename it ‘Emily in Europe’ or just admit they’re leaving Paris behind.”
Despite division, pre-release hype is massive—the Season 5 teaser has 5M+ views in 48 hours.
What’s Next: Beyond Season 5?
While Season 5 premieres Thursday, fans already wonder about Season 6.
The Facts:
- Netflix has not officially renewed beyond Season 5
- Darren Star says “stories are limitless” but wants to maintain quality
- Lily Collins’ West End commitment may limit future filming schedules
If Season 5 performs well (likely given the franchise’s popularity), Netflix could greenlight Season 6 by March 2026.
For now, all eyes are on December 18 at midnight PST when 10 new episodes drop globally.
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