Is This “Emily in Paris” Star Exiting the Netflix Series Amid Drama?

In 2020, Netflix subscribers were introduced to “Emily in Paris,” a new show from the creator of “Sex and the City,” Darren Star. The premise? The escapades of an American fashion and marketing enthusiast in the French capital. Despite being clichéd, the series charmingly captivated viewers worldwide and introduced them to Lucas Bravo.

For four years, the French actor has portrayed Gabriel, a talented chef and neighbor to the protagonist played by Lily Collins, who eventually falls for him. While there’s been a true love affair between the audience and the series since its inception, the 36-year-old actor now shares his disillusionment.

“I’ve Really Distanced Myself from Him”

In an interview with the American media outlet IndieWire during his promotion for the film “Libre” (available November 1 on Prime Video), Lucas Bravo did not mince words about the direction the Netflix series has taken and the writing of his character:

“In season 1, there was a lot of me in him. But from the moment they made him oblivious to what’s happening around him, always playing the victim and being manipulated by everyone, it became less fun for me to film or to watch a character that I love so much and who has given me so much, be slowly turned into guacamole. I’ve really distanced myself from him.”

Indeed, over four seasons, Gabriel’s character has lost its flair and brilliance, merely existing in Emily’s shadow and hoping for her return to his arms.

His wish came true in season 4, but meanwhile, he was deceived by Camille. Before having his heart broken by the American, in a very (too?) teary scene. His interpreter regrets this:

“I’ve tried for seasons to bring nuance, but we don’t have much freedom on set. We can’t change a word or an emotion. They know what they want, and we have to comply. It makes me wonder if I want to be part of season 5 […] because my contract ends at season 4.

I really want to see if Gabriel will become funny, cheeky, lively, and vibrant again. Because three seasons of playing someone melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost isn’t fun anymore. It’s a comedy, everyone around me is having fun, jumping around, and I’m slowly sinking into God knows what.”

“There’s a Lack of Risk”

If “Emily in Paris” is the series everyone loves to hate but secretly adores, it’s because it’s the quintessential “guilty pleasure” product. We know what to expect from one season to the next, and we are indulgently served by its completely out-of-touch heroine: we watch it for her colorful outfits, her wild love stories, for her vision of Paris and its beautiful settings. A formula that Netflix is reluctant to change, as Bravo confirms:

“They are probably clinging to something they couldn’t measure and which was so successful that they are now very cautious about not changing the formula and keeping it as it was. Anything that might deviate from the path is carefully corrected. There’s a lot of repetition. Pregnant? No, false positive. Going to Rome? No, I’m back. There’s a lot of that. There’s a lack of risk.”

The second half of season 4, released last September, greatly surprised us by moving the action to Italy and breaking the routine the series had settled into. A welcome change of scenery and air that may not last in season 5, already announced. And that’s a real shame.