The British actor is set to be number one on every guestlist this autumn. We explore how the boy from Burnley made his way from TV regular to global phenomenon

When new episodes of Emily in Paris drop on Netflix, all eyes will be on one star in particular – and no, it’s not Lily Collins, but brooding English heartthrob, Lucien Laviscount.

The Burnley-born actor plays Alfie, one of Emily Cooper’s love interests in the show, but he is fast becoming known for his romantic life off-camera, too. Earlier this year, Lucien Laviscount confirmed a new relationship with Colombian singer Shakira, after meeting the superstar on the set of the music video for her single, ‘Puntería’.

‘I remember getting the call saying that there was some interest in me being a part of the video,’ Laviscount told Us Weekly. ‘I was shooting Emily in Paris at the time but we managed to figure out the dates and I was on the next flight out to Miami.’

Far from keeping his fledgling romance under wraps, Laviscount has been emphatically complimentary about his new girlfriend. ‘Shakira is one of the most incredible artists to ever grace the planet,’ he told the same publication. ‘Her dedication to her craft, to her fans and her love for life is truly inspiring. She’s one of the most beautiful, hard-working people I’ve ever met.’

The actor headed to day three of Royal Ascot in June 2024

 Dave Benett/Getty Images
Although he was only meant to star in two episodes, Laviscount has been a key member of the Emily in Paris cast since 2021, an experience he recently described to Zoom as ‘lovely… To work on a show that has such a big reach, [where I] get to work with my best friends is wonderful. Everything else that comes with it is really a tip of the hat to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, that people don’t get to see.’

Lucien Laviscount as Alfie, opposite Lily Collins as Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris

 STEPHANIE BRANCHU/NETFLIX
Before he became a household name thanks to the bingeable Netflix hit, Laviscount was nonetheless a relatively well-known actor: he starred in teen drama Grange Hill, before appearing in several British classics, including Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.

Laviscount’s ambitions stretched beyond just acting, however. He signed with SK Records in 2012 and released his debut single, ‘Dance With You’ – though perhaps even he couldn’t have predicted that, just over a decade later, he would be starring in a music video alongside one of the world’s most famous artists.

Truly a man of many talents, the London-based Laviscount has also dabbled in hospitality: in 2018, he opened a cocktail bar and café, The Shop NW10, in collaboration with singer Zach Lichman. Sadly, the pandemic forced its closure, but Laviscount can now be found propping up the bar just a few doors down at his latest venture, The Wealthy Beggar. A music and cocktail hotspot in Kensal Rise, this ‘five star dive bar’ opened in 2022 and boasts head chef Gareth Drew, formerly of Nobu, as master of the kitchen.

Laviscount, who hails from Burnley, holidaying earlier this year

 Instagram @its_lucien

‘Kensal Rise is a very unique place in London,’ said Laviscount of The Wealthy Beggar’s prime position. ‘There is a huge community vibe. It’s very normal to walk into a bar as an individual or a family and just have a great chat, connect.’ When he’s not hanging out there, Laviscount can be found enjoying the summer season at Ascot, walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and dropping by fashion brands’ drinks parties. He also frequents high-end spots like the Chiltern Firehouse, where he partied last year following a soirée at the Knightsbridge home of make-up maestro, Charlotte Tilbury.

Laviscount’s priority, however, is his acting career: in June, he appeared in his first leading man role in a feature film, This Time Next Year. A romantic comedy directed by Nick Moore (who worked on Love, Actually and Notting Hill) the film also stars Sophie Cookson, who rose to fame after her turn as Christine Keeler in the BBC One series, The Trials of Christine Keeler.

Over the next few months, Laviscount will no doubt be non-stop, as he promotes season four of Emily in Paris. However, ‘balance’ is the best way to keep himself grounded, he told Us Weekly.

‘I’d say my lifestyle in general is healthy, I love keeping active and getting out there trying new things,’ he said. ‘It’s difficult with work commitments and traveling to always be eating right and having that structure to be as disciplined as I would like. So it’s important to give myself grace and enjoy the journey.’ It’s a journey that, by all accounts, seems to be heading in the right direction.