Emily in Paris cast arrives in Paris on Orient Express for Season 5, hits Netflix December 18 with major plot twists in Rome and Venice

Emily in Paris is bringing the glamour to new European destinations this December. Season 5 hits Netflix on December 18, 2025, expanding Emily Cooper’s fashionable world beyond Paris to include Rome and Venice. The cast recently took the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train to Venice, creating the perfect real-life prelude to the show’s star-studded Italian adventures.

Emily’s Roman Chapter Unfolds Across Two Cities

Season 5 picks up after Emily’s daring move to open a Rome office for Agence Grateau at the end of Season 4. Despite the title remaining “Emily in Paris,” the fashion maven now balances her time between both cities. Creator Darren Star confirms that Emily maintains her Parisian presence while building her Italian empire, allowing both locations to play crucial roles in her professional and romantic journey.

The season explores what happens when Emily juggles her career ambitions with unexpected romantic complications. Star explains that Emily takes love and life to the next level as she navigates her feelings for both Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini), the Italian fashion scion from Season 4. According to lead actress Lily Collins, Marcello offers Emily something Gabriel couldn’t: a genuine opportunity for work-life balance and authentic happiness.

Stunning Italian Locations Featured Throughout the Season

The production team took full advantage of Italy’s most iconic backdrops. Filming in Rome captured classic locations including Hotel Eden, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Janiculum Hill. Venice received equal treatment, with scenes shot along the city’s famous canals and at luxury venues like Hotel Danieli.

The cast arrived in Venice aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train just days before the announcement, mirroring a pivotal moment that appears to happen in the season. This romantic train journey served as both a promotional event and a cinematic nod to the show’s European sophistication. The train’s arrival in Venice created Instagram-worthy moments that perfectly captured the show’s signature blend of fashion, glamour, and European elegance.

Paris still features prominently, ensuring longtime fans won’t miss the Parisian charm that defined earlier seasons. The dual-city setting allows the series to explore both Roman ruins and Parisian rooftops, giving viewers a broader European adventure than ever before.

A Star-Studded Cast Returns and Expands

The ensemble cast returns intact, with Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie, and Lucien Laviscount all reprising their roles. New additions include Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting, Will & Grace) as Princess Jane, a royal acquaintance of Sylvie. Bryan Greenberg joins as Jake, an American in Paris, while Michèle Laroque plays Yvette, an old friend of Sylvie’s.

Love, Drama, and Career Crossroads Collide

The romantic tension reaches new heights as Gabriel realizes he still wants Emily after their split in Season 4. However, Gabriel faces consequences for his previous choices, complicating his path back to Emily’s heart. Meanwhile, Marcello represents a fresh romantic possibility who understands Emily’s ambitions better than Gabriel ever could.

Creator Darren Star teases a genuine spark between Emily and Marcello, describing a real romantic connection that drives significant storyline developments throughout the season. Collins expresses excitement about exploring both romantic options, noting that Marcello arrives at the perfect time to help Emily achieve the happiness and balance she deserves. The emotional and professional stakes feel higher than ever as Emily navigates career success in Rome while managing competing romantic interests.

Will Emily’s European Adventure Change Everything?

Series creator Darren Star designed Season 5 to stay ahead of audience expectations and prove the show has the ability to have a bigger footprint beyond Paris. The expansion to Rome and Venice represents more than just a location change; it reflects Emily’s growth as a professional and her willingness to embrace uncertain futures.

The question looming over Season 5 isn’t just which romantic interest Emily will choose, but whether she’ll ultimately stay in Rome or return to Paris. Her dual presence across both cities mirrors her emotional conflict, with Rome representing new beginnings and Paris symbolizing familiar comfort. Series fans will need to dive into all 10 episodes to discover whether Emily permanently relocates to Italy or maintains her complicated transatlantic lifestyle through the rest of her career at Agence Grateau.

Sources

• Netflix Tudum – Official Emily in Paris Season 5 cast and release date announcement
• Elle UK – Season 5 cast information and plot details
• People Magazine – Emily in Paris Season 5 updates and cast news

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.