"Emily in Paris" likely never envisioned their fifth season being interrupted by papal drama. Despite the series' Parisian title, Emily (played by Lily Collins) found herself entwined in a romantic entanglement with an Italian named Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) by the season four finale. Hence, the media coverage of the conclave, convened to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis, posed a significant challenge for the production team.
"The news helicopters hovering around the new Pope are creating chaos and generating an incessant racket," a source revealed to Us Weekly. Apparently, the past three days were fraught with scheduling difficulties, forcing the crew to "repeatedly halt" filming near the Spanish Steps. The scenes involving Emily and Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) were particularly affected, as they were compelled to "redo takes due to the overwhelming noise."
The excitement surrounding the election isn't likely to subside anytime soon, especially after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the first American-born pope on May 8. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, and his inaugural words to the jubilant crowd awaiting him at St. Peter's Square were, "Peace be with you."
On May 7, the "Emily in Paris" Instagram account announced their official return to production with a snapshot of Collins perched on a moped. The caption read, "Lights, Camera, Amore – Emily in Paris Season 5 is now in production." Netflix also shared a video clip featuring Collins and Franceschini picking up right where their characters' romance left off in the previous season.
During a Good Morning America appearance in September 2024, Collins teased the Emily-Marcello romance. "I feel like they have a genuine spark, a profound connection, and a truly romantic bond," she revealed. "A lot of that will continue to unfold in the next season."
