Emily in Paris or Rome?

Lily Collins

President Emmanuel Macron has weighed in on plans to move the Netflix series Emily in Paris to Rome at the end of season four.  In fact, Macron is making a big deal out of it.  He said that France "will fight hard" to prevent the show from relocating to Italy's capital.  In an interview in Variety, the French leader stated, "We will ask them to remain in Paris.  'Emily in Paris' in Rome doesn't make sense."

The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, responded on X (formerly Twitter) with some choice words of his own.  He wrote: "Dear Emmanuel Macron, don't worry: Emily is doing great in Rome.  And one can't control the heart: let's let her choose."  In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Roma. Gualtieri commented further.  "Doesn't President Macron have more pressing matters to worry about?"  "I  would like to believe," he said, "at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking, because he ought to know a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure"

Macron

Gualtieri

It does seem as if both politicians are making quite a fuss about a Netflix series, although President Macron started the controversary,  Perhaps they are just having fun.  Still, it's difficult to tell how serious they are about the matter.  After all, Macron has a connection with the show because his wife, Brigitte, makes a cameo appearance in season four when Emily notices her in a cafe and requests a selfie.

To be clear, I have only started viewing Emily in Paris recently.  I have not yet finished watching season one of the series.  The show centres around Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, who happens to be the daughter of English singer/musician Phil Collins.  Emily is an American marketing executive from Chicago.  She relocates to Paris for a job, promptly breaks up with her boyfriend, and begins to enjoy life in the French capital.  She enjoys the sights and sounds of Paris while dressed in the most fashionable outfits.  However, she must deal with the cultural differences between life in America and life in France.  Her inability to speak French also presents a challenge, although she does make a determined effort to learn the language.

Emily in Paris is one of Netflix's most popular shows.  When it was renewed for a fifth season, its creator, Darren Star, stated that Emily will now "have a presence in Rome."  I guess they have milked all they can of four seasons in Paris.  However, it does seem ridiculous to continue to call the series Emily in Paris if it takes place in Rome.  Why couldn't Netflix just change the name to Emily in Rome?

- Joanne