The new antagonist in Emily in Paris has been making fans seethe, but most don’t know that the actress is practically red carpet royalty in real life.

The Netflix series Emily in Paris has captivated audiences with its blend of romance, fashion, and French flair. In its fourth season, the series introduced a new character that left viewers intrigued. Genevieve, stepdaughter to Sylvie and newcomer at Agence Grateau, took the fans for a ride with her mysterious and possibly evil character.

Thalia Besson, the actress behind the character, is not a new face in the industry. Born to French director Luc Besson and producer Virginie Besson-Silla, the actress is what we call a ‘nepo baby’. Her parents had previously collaborated in Scarlett Johansson’s Lucy while her father worked on Bruce Willis’s The Fifth Element. Both the movies were huge hits but not the only scores under their belts.

Family Affair: The Besson legacy in film and TV

Thalia Besson is gaining recognition for her role as Genevieve, the potential new antagonist in season four part 2 of Emily in Paris. But this is not her first appearance in the acting world.
Besson had previously starred in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in 2017. She also appeared in the 2022 French horror movie, Arthur, malédiction. Her most recent film was the 2023 thriller film, Dangerous Waters where she portrayed the role of Tabitha.

According to The Tab, the actress has some strong liaisons with the entertainment industry, having been born to two famous producers. Her father, Luc Besson is a French film director and has also worked on projects like Lucy, The Fifth Element, Leon, and The Big Blue.

Her mother, Virginie Besson-Silla is a name linked with projects like Lucy, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Lady. In fact the actress’s first on-screen performance was in the 2017 space opera film, which both her parents worked on.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets was directed by her father while it was produced by the actress’s mother. It is safe to assume that she had access to the otherwise gatekept field. But it is up to the audience to judge her worth based on just her performance.

The Mysterious Genevieve: Unpacking the Sinister Role

Genevieve appears in the fourth season of the Netflix series, leaving a lot to unpack. The character was introduced as Sylvie’s stepdaughter, Laurent’s child from his older relationship.

Thalia Besson in Emily in Paris | Credits: Netflix

Just like Emily, the protagonist played by Lily Collins, she also arrived from New York making the two bond over their new change in scenario. But soon Genevieve seemed to be planning on usurping her potential bestie’s life in Paris.

The series showcases the new character conspiring to not only take over Emily’s job but also her romantic relationship with Gabriel. Fans took an immediate dislike to Besson’s manipulative role, while others found her to be intriguing.

Lily Collins and Thalia Besson in Emily in Paris | Credits: Netflix

As the series continues to unfold, fans are eager to see how Genevieve’s storyline plays out. With Besson’s impressive background and growing acting chops, it’s clear that she’s one to watch out for in the entertainment industry. The actress is slotted to star in Triton, an upcoming fantasy horror film directed by Janell Shirtcliff.

Emily in Paris is currently available to watch on Netflix.