Filming season 5 of Emily in Paris came with a unique set of challenges — and plenty of highlights.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Samuel Arnold reflected on bringing the hit Netflix series to life as Rome was adjusting to the death of Pope Francis before Pope Leo XIV was chosen as his successor.
“It made us feel like we were witnessing a historical and cultural moment,” Arnold, who plays Julien, exclusively told Us. “It was just nice to me personally. I was telling myself, ‘I get to do what I love, which is acting in amazing places.’ It’s priceless.”
Season 5, which premiered on Thursday, December 18, picks up after Emily (Lily Collins) moved on with Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) — in Rome. At the same time, Savoir was trying to open up a new location with Julien, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) and Luc (Bruno Gouery) making the move as well.
“From the first season to now, Julien has been growing into his confidence — work wise — and with the relationship with the other characters. This season he is really standing in his power,” Arnold noted. “The best thing about the show choosing to film in cities like Paris or Rome is we get to experience the city in the best way possible.”
Arnold praised creator Darren Star‘s vision for the show.
“He has a very beautiful way of seeing things and making us see things. A lot of people fell in love with the city through the show,” he continued. “I believe that this season, we gave the same treatment to Rome.”
Julien’s story took him to Rome but he still found himself involved in local drama — like being caught in the middle of Emily and Mindy’s (Ashley Park) friendship fight.
“It was very funny. I thought that that story line was amazing. Actually, I’m really looking forward to people seeing that,” Arnold mentioned about Mindy briefly living with Julien. “Those situations happen between friends.”
He continued: “It also highlights the relationship between Emily and Julien, Emily and Mindy and Julien and Mindy. You can see the place that Julien has in this and in these relationships. It was great to work opposite Ashley because I don’t get to do many scenes with her but when I do, it’s a hit.”
Arnold loved getting to see more of Julien’s life at home, adding, “We also get to see how Julian is protective of his own space. He is the type of person where if you ask for help, he is going to complain all day but end up helping you in the end.”
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Looking ahead, Arnold has a lot more on his wishlist for Julien.
“I would love for Julian to travel. I would love Julien to start his own business — maybe his own marketing firm. I would love for him to travel to the states maybe and work there,” he suggested. “When you switch the environment, you can bring more stories and more situations. I would love to see more of Julien’s journey and goals.”
Julien in America has a nice ring to it, to which Arnold said, “Let’s go, honestly. Why not? Yes, I love it.”
Arnold also weighed in on Julien getting to explore his own onscreen love triangle.
“I think Julian loves the drama as long as it doesn’t touch him,” he hinted. “Sometimes you don’t always get what you want. So we’ll see, this season or the next. We’ll see if he gets caught in some of the madness.”
Emily in Paris is currently streaming on Netflix.
