Emily In Paris Panel At Paley Fest 2022: The Essence Of Charm!

By: Chelsea Isabella Clark-James

What is Charm? Because Emily in Paris has a ton of it. Showrunner Darren Star certainly knows how to bring it off the page and into our living rooms, as he diwith 90210 and Sex & the City. However, in his newest hit, Emily in Paris, the charm radiates from the talent of the Netflix original comedy-drama. Sunday night’s closing panel for PaleyFest2022, moderated by Janine Rubinstein, PEOPLE Everyday podcast host, brought together creator Darren Star, series director Andrew Flemming, stars Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), Lucas Bravo (Gabriel), Camille Razat (Camille), and Lucien Laviscount (Alfie). As special as the night was for fans, it was more so for the did with cast and producers; this was their first in-person event since the show began, on account of Covid.

Deflecting the moderator’s repeated inquiries into what will happen in season three, Darren Star did share one tidbit when he informed Lucien, who plays the love interest, Alfie, that his character will be returning for season three. Lucien, and the fans, were surprised and grateful. The Showrunner also announced that filming will begin in June, now that seasons three and four have been greenlit. Satisfied with the sneak peek into season three’s casting, moderator Janine Rubinstein shifted her questioning to season two. Lead actor and producer, Lily Collins took the microphone first. Season one, shot before Covid, was so fun and positive, according to Lily, that when they came back for season two it was important the show kept that energy, despite the isolation the cast and crew had to endure due to Covid protocols.

For Lily, the friendship between her title character Emily and Mindy Chen, played by Ashley Park, was a storyline she wanted to go deeper into in season two. That friendship ended up being more than simply onscreen. The support the women provided each other off-screen proved to be just as important. After a night shoot for the St.Tropez episode, Lily had to do a solo wedding dress fitting to comply with safety measures. While she was out, Ashley covered her hotel room in rose petals so the star didn’t feel alone.

The onscreen friendship also resonated with Ashley. She recounted their first meeting at her audition; they ran through the scene where Emily and Mindy meet in the show. Everyone in the room felt the chemistry. The fish out of water element both characters experience, as Americans living in Paris, mirrored what Lily and Ashley went through as actors. Ashley believes this authenticity translates onscreen, and fan feedback supports that theory.

Asked about her musical performances, Ashley Park remarked on returning to her theater roots, where the music tells a story. “Mon Soleil” is the only original song in the show and was written with composer Freddy Wexler over Zoom while filming season two. Her performance for the finale was her first live one since the