With its fourth season,Emily in Parisbroke two major rules the show seemed to set for itself in its first few outings. Picking whereEmily in Parisseason 4, part 1 ended,the second half of the fourth outing introduced the Netflix series' first real villain— and movedEmily in Paris' cast of charactersto a brand-new location outside the City of Light. In part 2, Emily (Lily Collins) breaks up with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) when Camille’s (Camille Razat) pregnancy complicates the trio’s dynamic a bit too much. Finally, Camille reveals her pregnancy was a false positive.

What happens to Camille inEmily in Parisdoesn’t seem to interest the show as much as Emily’s next big romance with Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), a wealthy businessman from Rome. In the wake of her break up with Gabriel, Emily tries to keep her personal and professional lives separate. While Emily succeeds (for a time), that tactic proves much more difficult for Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), who invites her husband’s daughter, Geneviève (Thalia Besson), to work at Agence Grateau. ByEmily in Parisseason 4, part 2’s ending,the Netflix show sets a surprising stage for its fifth season.

Lily Collins as Emily and Eugenio Franceschini as Marcello in Emily in Paris

Emily In Paris Is Now Taking The Show Beyond Paris (& To Rome)

Emily In Paris Season 5 Will Be Set In Rome, Italy

The biggest change toEmily in Paris' formula is the show’s surprising change of location. In part 2’s penultimate episode,Emily decides to take a chance on her burgeoning romance with Marcello and visit him in Rome. Although Emily’s weekend abroad is meant to be a romantic getaway, Sylvie meddles with Emily’s plans. After learning that Marcello’s family business, the Umberto Muratori cashmere company, is considering a partnership with JVMA, Sylvie makes it her mission to steer them in a different direction. As a result, Marcello fears Emily only spent time with him to land a deal for Agence Grateau.

Whether it’s temporary or not, a fresh setting forEmily in Parisseason 5 will breathe new life into a well-worn premise.

Lily Collins as Emily Cooper looking worried in Emily in Paris with musical iconography behind her

After seeing Umberto Muratori’s people-first business practices up close and personal, Emily puts her relationship on the line and does make the case for Agence Grateau. Marcello’s mother, Antonia Muratori (Anna Galiena), is impressed by Emily’s genuine understanding of their company and agrees to a six-month contract with Sylvie’s firm. However, Antonia requires Agence Grateau to establish an office in Rome. Ultimately,Sylvie decides that Emily should manage the Italian office, setting the stage for the show’s big move.

Emily In Paris’ Marcello Can Finally Mark The End Of The Show’s Worst Relationship

Despite their ups and downs, Marcello and Emily’s relationship brought out the best for Emily, highlighting how bad another relationship was.

While it’s not clearwhatEmily in Parisgoing to Rome meansfor the show’s future beyond season 5, it definitely upends the fundamental premise of Emily living in Paris. There’s no denying thatEmily’s fish-out-of-what act has gotten a bit old. Even the series itself spent time in season 4, part 2, telling self-deprecating jokes about Emily’s continued inability to speak French. Whether it’s temporary or not, a fresh setting forEmily in Parisseason 5 will breathe new life into a well-worn premise.

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Geneviève’s Actions Are Messy In Emily In Paris Season 4, Part 2

With the introduction of Laurent G’s (Arnaud Binard) daughter, Geneviève, the Netflix show finally has its first real antagonist. Prior to its fourth season,Emily in Parishad a villain problem, as exemplified by the ongoing love triangle between Emily, Gabriel, and Camille. Other villainous personalities, like JVMA head Louis de Leon (Pierre Deny), have felt like peripheral characters. For an episode or two,Emily and Sylvie’s professional rivals cause problems, but the show never gives such characters much screen time. However, Geneviève, who moves from NYC to Paris to pursue a career in fashion, is a full-fledged character.

The New York City transplant claims that she wants to be just like Emily — and she may take that realization a bit too seriously.

Even by the end ofEmily in Parisseason 4, part 2, it’s hard to really understand Geneviève’s motivations. Although she’s clearly ambitious, Geneviève also seems legitimately grateful for Sylvie’s job offer. In fact, even Geneviève and Emily hit it off pretty immediately. The New York City transplant claims that she wants to be just like Emily — and she may take that realization a bit too seriously. In addition to making Emily’s work life a bit more complicated and tense,Geneviève decides to pursue Gabriel in the wake of his breakup with Emily.

Emily In Paris Season 4 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play

Emily in Paris season 4, part 1’s soundtrack is full of French-language songs as well as covers of recognizable hits, adding to the show’s atmosphere.

What makes Geneviève’s decision dubious is that she doesn’t talk to Emily about pursuing Gabriel. Instead,Geneviève lies about the nature of her feelings for Gabriel, moves into Emily and Gabriel’s apartment building, and tries to steer Gabriel’s professional endeavors from her assistant position at Agence Grateau. All of this makes Geneviève a new type of character forEmily in Paris— and it’s a welcome change.

Emily In Paris Season 5 Is More Exciting Now

The Fundamental Changes To Emily In Paris' Formula Are Needed After Four Seasons

Between the introduction of the morally ambiguous and ambitious Geneviève to the show’s big move to Rome,Emily in Parisseason 5looks to be the series' most exciting installment yet. Since premiering in 2020,Emily in Parishas stuck closely to its fish-out-of-water rom-com premise without much deviation. Even the two episodes that were set in Rome felt completely novel. That’s a great sign as the show moves into its fifth season. Instead of playing it safe or allowing the premise to feel stale,Emily in Parisdoing the unexpected — and it’s working.

Emily in Paris

Netflix’s Emily In Paris is a comedy series starring Lily Collins as Emily Cooper, a college graduate who travels from Chicago to Paris when she lands a one-in-a-lifetime job opportunity that allows her to enjoy French culture and glamour while she overhauls a local marketing firm. From the mind of Beverly Hills 90210 and Sex and the City creator Darren Star, Emily In Paris takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the cultural differences between the United States and France.