Darren Star has had a hand in some of television’s most iconic series from Beverly Hills, 90210 to Sex and the City, and the latest season of his hit Netflix series Emily in Paris just debuted. The season picks up directly after Emily in Paris season 3’s shocking ending, which saw Camille call off her wedding to Gabriel, revealing her pregnancy and breaking up Emily and Alfie in the process.

While never short on drama, Emily in Paris is known for being easy viewing, light and breezy even when it tackles more complex topics, like season 4’s JVMA sexual harassment scandal and Camille’s complicated pregnancy. It also features stories like Gabriel’s, whose popular Paris restaurant is currently in the running for a Michelin star — or so he thinks.

Emily in Paris season 4 features a lot of moving parts, including a major trip to Rome in the second half. Screen Rant sat down with Star and Bravo to discuss all of Emily in Paris season 4 part 1, including Emily’s relationship shocker, how long Star thinks the series can go, and how Bravo prepares to play a chef.

Emily In Paris Could Continue For A Long Time After Season 4

Darren Star Explains How He Finds The Perfect Balance

Emily in Paris kind of lives in a space between reality and fantasy — the stakes may be serious but never enough that the show’s positivity and hopeful nature is dampened. When it comes to the longevity of Emily in Paris, Star says, “There’s still a lot of runway left and more stories to tell” thanks to the show’s “fantastic ensemble” and the continued journey with the characters.

On whether he has an ending in mind for Emily, Star plays coy, but does tease developments in the second half of season 4. “Emily’s journey…still takes some big twists and turns.” Part 1 is already twisty enough, though. From Emily’s tense reconciliation with Camille to Sylvie’s coming forward to corroborate the allegations against JVMA’s Louis de Leon, Emily in Paris season 4 balances the show’s lighter side with more serious elements.

We wanted to tell [the story] in a way where it had personal stakes for Sylvie, and it revealed more about her character.

“It was a balancing act to do justice to that story not make the whole show feel like it was polemical or too serious,” Star says, continuing, “I think we did it.” It will have “ramifications in [Sylvie’s] personal and professional life” when the fallout from the JVMA revelations continues in Emily Paris season 4 part 2

Lucas Bravo Chooses Team Love When It Comes To Emily In Paris

The Gabriel Star Also Talks Playing A Chef In A City Known For Its Food

 

Since Gabriel opened his restaurant, the chef has been laser-focused on getting a Michelin star. Emily has tried to help by bringing in Luc’s girlfriend, a Michelin inspector, to hopefully move things along. While his Michelin status remains up in the air in part 1 of season 4, Bravo did talk about how he’s always been preparing for his role as a chef. “I just prepare to be in love and to find new places, and to fall in love even more with my city,” Bravo, who is French, says.

“It doesn’t feel like a job. It feels like preparing for a long vacation with the people you love, which is the I feel like the best context you can work in,” Bravo continues. That love is something that Gabriel is often in the middle of in Emily in Paris. The character has been embroiled in a love triangle with Emily and Camille ever since the former moved to Paris.

As for whether Gabriel will be involved in Emily’s happy ending, that remains to be seen. Bravo says, however, that he can’t pick a side between Gabriel and Emily’s other beau, Alfie (Lucien Laviscount). “I’m playing along, but I always believe in love and passion, and I always root for people to go out of their way for something that is unsure, something that could be hurtful,” Bravo says of the complex love dynamics in the show. Love is “the ultimate energy” and “the only energy that doesn’t need fuel, food, or water… It just starts from an idea,” says Bravo. His romanticism is fitting given the nature of the show.

About Emily In Paris Season 4, Part 1

After the dramatic events of Camille and Gabriel’s misbegotten wedding, Emily is reeling: She has strong feelings for two men, but now Gabriel’s expecting a baby with his ex, and Alfie’s worst fears about her and Gabriel have been confirmed. At work, Sylvie is forced to confront a thorny dilemma from her past for the sake of her marriage, and the Agence Grateau team navigates personnel shakeups. Mindy and the band prepare for Eurovision, but when funds run dry, they’re forced to get thrifty. Emily and Gabriel’s chemistry is undeniable as they work together towards a Michelin star, but two big secrets threaten to undo everything they’ve dreamed of.

Check out our other Emily in Paris season 4 interviews here:

Emily in Paris season 4 part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 premieres on September 12.