Darren Star, the visionary behind the hit series "Emily in Paris," has asserted that Lucas Bravo never harbored intentions of exiting the show, despite his public criticism towards his character's narrative arc. In an exclusive interview with Deadline, published on June 23rd, the 63-year-old showrunner hinted at the upcoming season of the beloved Netflix sensation. "Her love life is perpetually entangled," he revealed, teasing, "Marcello is back, and so is Lucas Bravo this season, promising a slate of intriguing and unexpected twists in her romantic journey."
Earlier, Bravo, 37, had openly expressed his discontent with the direction of his character, sparking rumors about his potential departure. However, Star dismissed these speculations as "merely a misunderstanding," emphasizing, "He never intended not to return."
Production for Season 5 has commenced across Europe, with Bravo reprising his cherished role as Gabriel, the soul-searching yet melancholic chef who shares an on-again, off-again romance with Emily (Lily Collins), the spirited American expat in Paris. At the conclusion of Season 4, Emily embarked on a new chapter in Rome, armed with a prestigious job promotion and a fresh romance with Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini).
Last October, Bravo sat for a series of interviews where he voiced his dissatisfaction with his character's trajectory. "Life is fleeting. This series takes five months to film," he told France's Le Figaro, adding, "I拒绝 to be part of a machine that overlooks the intelligence of its audience." He yearned for Gabriel to exhibit more "flair."
That same month, Bravo confided in IndieWire that he had "drifted apart" from the character. "The 'sexy chef' was an integral part of me in Season 1, but we grew apart season after season due to the choices he made and the direction his story took," he elaborated. "I've never felt so distant from him."
His disappointment with Gabriel's evolution made him question his involvement in Season 5, as his contract expired after Season 4. "Playing melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost for three seasons lost its charm. It's a comedy where everyone else is having a blast, while I'm slowly sinking into the unknown," he lamented.
Yet, months later, the actor struck a more optimistic chord, describing Season 5 of "Emily in Paris" as "the best one yet" on the red carpet in April. "I had lunch with Darren a few days ago, and he shared a glimpse without revealing too much," Bravo teased. "Fans are going to flip. It's the wildest season by far."
Off-screen, Bravo's love life is blossoming. He's currently dating actress Shailene Woodley and joyfully sharing snippets of their romance on Instagram. Their relationship rumors ignited in March when they couldn't contain their PDA during a trip to Paris. Two months later, Bravo posted his first social media picture of Woodley, 33, capturing their fun moments at the Stagecoach Festival.
Before Woodley, Bravo kept a low profile regarding his personal relationships. However, he did share his relationship deal-breakers in a 2020 Glamour interview. "I cherish communication; it's the foundation of everything," he revealed. "I dislike it when there's an elephant in the room, and the person chooses to flee, slam the door, or sulk in a corner. I'm not a fan of pouting or avoiding conversations."
