Emily Cooper is back, and she’s everywhere but Paris—at least at first. The fifth season of Emily in Paris premiered on Netflix on December 19, 2025, and, true to its reputation, the show wastes no time throwing its heroine into a whirlwind of romance, career moves, and, of course, a parade of eye-popping outfits. But this time, the City of Light has to wait its turn. The latest season kicks off right where season four left off, with Emily—played by Lily Collins—having packed her bags for Rome, leaving behind her long-standing love triangle and the familiar Parisian backdrop.
For fans who’ve spent more than a year waiting (and, as some reviewers admit, perhaps needed a break after the drama-packed fourth season), the return of Emily and her friends brings a fresh round of relationship twists, marketing shenanigans, and the kind of fashion moments that make you want to Google every dress onscreen. As Nieuwsblad notes, while the characters—especially Emily and Mindy (Ashley Park)—seem to be having the time of their lives, not every critic shared their enthusiasm. Still, the show’s signature optimism and energy remain front and center.
Season five wastes no time plunging viewers into a new adventure. Emily, now sporting a sleek bob haircut that’s already become a fan favorite, lands in Rome to open a new branch of the Parisian PR agency Agence Grateau. She’s not alone: Mindy, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), and the rest of the team join her on a journey that feels more like a European road trip than a traditional workplace drama. The first stop? The fictional town of Solitano—filmed in Ostia and inspired by the real-life medieval village of Solomeo, home of the famed Italian cashmere brand Brunello Cucinelli. Here, Emily reconnects with her new Italian boyfriend, Marcello Muratori, who’s helping run his family’s cashmere business.
It’s not just small-town charm on display. In the second episode, the Agence Grateau crew visits the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, a striking building in Rome known for its blend of modernist and neoclassical design. Once the headquarters for luxury brand Fendi, the location sets the stage for the team’s pitch to convince Fendi to join their Italian client roster. As Vogue NL details, the season is packed with these kinds of high-profile settings, blending real-world glamour with the show’s trademark escapism.
Emily and Marcello’s Roman adventures continue with a stroll through the ancient Mercati di Traiano, which Marcello describes as “the first shopping mall in the world.” The 1,900-year-old complex is still a major tourist draw, but Emily, ever the fashionista, seems more interested in the latest Fendi store. The pair also visit Santa Maria del Priorato, known as the Aventine Keyhole, offering a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica—a moment that could only happen in a show like this.
But Rome can’t keep Emily forever. When the Agence Grateau office there closes, the team returns to Paris, and the show’s heart beats a little faster. Mindy makes a triumphant return to the legendary cabaret Crazy Horse Paris in the 8th arrondissement, while Sylvie is drawn to the chic Le Royal Monceau Hotel Bar near the Arc de Triomphe after spotting an Instagram story from an old friend. Nightlife is never far away: Mindy and Emily hit the trendy Les Bains Guerbois nightclub with Nicolas and Marcello, keeping the party spirit alive.
The season’s Parisian highlights reach a peak in episode nine, when Luc takes Emily to Le Bateau Lavoir in Montmartre—a historic hub for artists like Henri Matisse and Gertrude Stein. It’s a nod to the city’s bohemian past, and a reminder that even after five seasons, Paris still has plenty of secrets to share. Later, Emily and Gabriel share a poignant lunch at the storied Le Train Bleu restaurant in Gare de Lyon, reminiscing about ‘La Belle Époque’—the golden age of Paris—and pondering whether their own story is truly over.
Of course, what would Emily in Paris be without a dramatic finale? This time, the action shifts to Venice, where the team heads to the Venice Fashion Week to launch Marcello Muratori’s new clothing line. Unlike its Milan counterpart, Venice Fashion Week is all about sustainable fashion and emerging designers, making it the perfect stage for Marcello’s debut. The Renaissance-era Iglesia de San Francesco della Vigna is chosen as the venue for his first runway show, but, in true Emily fashion, disaster strikes just before the event: the canals overflow, sending the crew scrambling for safety in rain boots and ponchos. It’s a scene that’s both glamorous and a little slapstick—classic Emily in Paris.
Season five isn’t just about new locations and fashion extravaganzas. The supporting cast gets its share of the spotlight. Minnie Driver, known for her roles in 1990s classics like Circle of Friends and GoldenEye, joins as Sylvie’s friend and impresses with her Italian skills. Fans also note the return of familiar faces—Alfie, Gabriel, and Marcello all stick around, though Camille’s absence is felt. There’s even a new fictional coffee brand, Bavazza, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the real-life Lavazza, adding a playful wink to the show’s love of all things chic and caffeinated.
Emily herself seems to have grown: she’s speaking better French, navigating her career and love life with a bit more confidence, and, as one reviewer put it, her little black dress—a 2012 Marc Jacobs design—might just be the season’s breakout star. The romantic drama is as tangled as ever, with Emily finally appearing to choose Rome and Marcello over Gabriel and Paris—though, as fans know, nothing is ever truly final in this series.
Not everyone is swept away by the show’s glossy surface. According to Nieuwsblad, the critic found the season less enjoyable than the characters did, suggesting that the formula may be wearing thin for some viewers. Still, the series’ blend of optimism, escapism, and high fashion continues to captivate a loyal audience, and its parade of European settings is enough to make anyone start planning their next city break.
After five seasons, Emily in Paris proves it still knows how to surprise—whether it’s with a flooded Venetian runway, a Parisian cabaret comeback, or simply a heroine who never loses her sense of adventure. For fans and skeptics alike, the latest installment offers a passport to a world where every day brings a new dress, a new city, and maybe, just maybe, a new beginning.
