Emily in Paris Season 1 primer: What to know before you watch

The creator of Younger and Sex and the City returns with another dramedy starring Lily Collins. Here’s what you need to know before Emily in Paris Season 1!

Darren Star is back with another female-led comedy-drama that is sure to be a tremendous hit like his previous beloved shows Younger and Sex and the City. Emily in Paris Season 1 will follow Lily Collins as an ambitious young adult named Emily who unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris.

Moving from Chicago to the City of Love is a significant culture shock for Emily, who must quickly dive headfirst into revamping a French luxury marketing company’s social media strategy. Along the way, she’ll meet new friends, indulge herself in extravagant adventure and perhaps even find a little romance.

Emily in Paris Season 1: What should you watch or read before the show begins?

More from Netflix

Emily in Paris is based on an original idea from Star, so you don’t need to prepare yourself ahead of time. However, if you haven’t watched Younger or Sex and the City, I highly recommend adding them to your watchlist.

Star has a specific brand of humor that will likely carry over to his new series, along with a vibrant color palette and fantastic fashion.

Star has had the idea in his head for this particular show for some time now. As for the costumes, expect the very best as Patricia Field is the costume designer for Emily in Paris — she previously worked with Star on the set of Sex and the City.

They met through Carrie Bradshaw herself, Sarah Jessica Parker. Some of the outfits in the first season are inspired by the 1951 film An American in Paris.

Speaking of Carrie, eagle-eyed fans of Star’s past work will notice at least two choice fashion pieces in Emily in Paris that pay direct homage to Sex and the City! Keep your eyes peeled in episode two.

Emily in Paris Season 1: A list of the main cast members and who they play

Series regulars for Season 1 include:

Lily Collins as Emily
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Emily’s chic new boss
Ashley Park as Mindy, An au pair that becomes fast friends with Emily
Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Emily’s hot neighbor with whom she shares a mutual attraction
Samuel Arnold as Julien, Emily’s friendly coworker who tries to make her feel welcome
Camille Razat as Camille, Camille is sophisticated and kind; she’s everything Emily wants to be
Bruno Gouery as Luc – Another one of Emily’s coworkers, he’s full of biting wit and sarcasm, but they become close friends fast

Recurring roles in Season 1 include:

Kate Walsh as Madeline – Emily’s boss from Chicago who offers her a dream job
Arnaud Viard as Paul – The owner of the marketing firm
William Abadie as Antoine – A very charming married man who takes a liking to Emily

Emily in Paris Season 1: How many episodes? What is the runtime?

There are ten episodes total in Season 1, and each one runs for approximately 30 minutes, give or take a minute or two. It’s definitely one of those shows that will be easy to binge in a single sitting if you’re so inclined.

Emily in Paris Season 1: What are critics saying?

Entertainment Weekly believes that Emily in Paris is the “silly show we need right now.”

It seems like most critics agree that Emily in Paris is decidedly frivolous and cliché, but also beautifully filmed, full of fabulous fashion and contains just enough bubble-gum fluff to keep you happy and vigorously entertained.

“In 2020, I devoured the entire first season like a tray of petits fours and remain desperately hungry for more,” writes EW.

Variety says Emily in Paris is full of “escapist charm” due to its glorious setting, “but is sophisticated, too, in ways all its own.” Vanity Fair claims Star “gives in to decadence,” and Vulture is confident that the series will manage to “seduce” viewers.

To me, the emphasis on decadence and fashion makes it sound a little like Gossip Girl, but swap the salacious hookups for lighthearted Parisian romps.

Will Emily in Paris return for Season 2?

So far, Emily in Paris has only received a one-season order. Considering Star’s previous shows have all been successful, it’s not surprising Netflix was happy to pick this one up when it got shuffled around the networks. I think its light, funny, playful, romantic atmosphere is precisely what people need during this challenging year, and it could do very well for the streaming service.

Next. 20 of the ultimate fall TV shows available on streaming. dark

Are you planning to watch Emily in Paris? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

All ten episodes of Emily in Paris Season 1 premieres on Netflix on Friday, Oct. 2.

Home/Netflix