Fans of Netflix's glossy, frothy confection Emily in Paris can breathe a sigh of relief. The show's fifth season, which lands on the streaming platform on Thursday, December 18, delivers exactly the brand of ludicrous outfits, will-they-won't-they romance, and farcical plotlines that viewers have come to crave. There is, however, one seismic shift: the iconic backdrop of Paris has been almost entirely swapped for the sun-drenched piazzas of Rome.
Roman Holiday: A New Chapter for Emily Cooper
Picking up from the cliffhanger of season four, Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) has relocated to the Italian capital. Armed with a chic new bob and a wardrobe that defies any marketing assistant's budget, she is launching a new office for Agence Grateau alongside her formidable boss, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu). Emily's personal life is also in flux, having fallen for Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), the hunky heir to a cashmere empire, and leaving her chef ex-beau, Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), behind in Paris.
There were concerns about Bravo's reduced role after the actor described his part as 'not fun any more,' but viewers will still see the handsome Frenchman in his chef's whites, albeit with less screen time. Interestingly, despite Collins's new role as a producer on the show, her character sometimes takes a backseat in these ten episodes, allowing for juicier storylines to unfold elsewhere.
Saucier Storylines and Slapstick Shenanigans
The narrative baton is passed to fan favourites Sylvie and Emily's best friend, Mindy (Ashley Park), who returns from a stint as a judge on a Chinese singing competition. Expect steamy affairs, extravagant parties, and professional disasters aplenty. The season is packed with the show's signature slapstick, including a runaway scarf, a runaway horse, a truffle hunt in vertiginous heels, and a Dirty Dancing-inspired lift that goes spectacularly wrong.
A standout addition is a brilliant cameo from actress Minnie Driver, who plays Sylvie's hapless but well-connected friend, Princess Jane. Her appearance is a highlight, leaving audiences hoping for more in future instalments.
More of the Same: A Love-It-or-Hate-It Proposition
Ultimately, season five of Emily in Paris offers more of the same formula. If you revel in the nonsensical plots, camp characters, and Emily's enduring refusal to learn the local language, you'll be thoroughly entertained. The show embraces its identity as a superficial, gloriously garish, and culturally stereotypical whirlwind.
For critics, the latest chapter will feel like a repetitive, nauseating, and over-hyped tour of European clichés. But for its legion of fans—each season attracts 40 to 50 million views—this Roman holiday represents the show at its preposterous, escapist best. Emily in Paris season five is a confident return to the fluff that made it a global phenomenon.
