With its fourth season, Emily in Paris broke two major rules the show seemed to set for itself in its first few outings. Picking where Emily in Paris season 4, part 1 ended, the second half of the fourth outing introduced the Netflix series’ first real villain — and moved Emily in Paris‘ cast of characters to a brand-new location outside the City of Light. In part 2, Emily (Lily Collins) breaks up with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) when Camille’s (Camille Razat) pregnancy complicates the trio’s dynamic a bit too much. Finally, Camille reveals her pregnancy was a false positive.

What happens to Camille in Emily in Paris doesn’t seem to interest the show as much as Emily’s next big romance with Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), a wealthy businessman from Rome. In the wake of her break up with Gabriel, Emily tries to keep her personal and professional lives separate. While Emily succeeds (for a time), that tactic proves much more difficult for Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), who invites her husband’s daughter, Geneviève (Thalia Besson), to work at Agence Grateau. By Emily in Paris season 4, part 2’s ending, the Netflix show sets a surprising stage for its fifth season.

Emily In Paris Is Now Taking The Show Beyond Paris (& To Rome)

Emily In Paris Season 5 Will Be Set In Rome, Italy

The biggest change to Emily in Paris‘ formula is the show’s surprising change of location. In part 2’s penultimate episode, Emily decides to take a chance on her burgeoning romance with Marcello and visit him in Rome. Although Emily’s weekend abroad is meant to be a romantic getaway, Sylvie meddles with Emily’s plans. After learning that Marcello’s family business, the Umberto Muratori cashmere company, is considering a partnership with JVMA, Sylvie makes it her mission to steer them in a different direction. As a result, Marcello fears Emily only spent time with him to land a deal for Agence Grateau.

After seeing Umberto Muratori’s people-first business practices up close and personal, Emily puts her relationship on the line and does make the case for Agence Grateau. Marcello’s mother, Antonia Muratori (Anna Galiena), is impressed by Emily’s genuine understanding of their company and agrees to a six-month contract with Sylvie’s firm. However, Antonia requires Agence Grateau to establish an office in Rome. Ultimately, Sylvie decides that Emily should manage the Italian office, setting the stage for the show’s big move.

While it’s not clear what Emily in Paris going to Rome means for the show’s future beyond season 5, it definitely upends the fundamental premise of Emily living in Paris. There’s no denying that Emily’s fish-out-of-what act has gotten a bit old. Even the series itself spent time in season 4, part 2, telling self-deprecating jokes about Emily’s continued inability to speak French. Whether it’s temporary or not, a fresh setting for Emily in Paris season 5 will breathe new life into a well-worn premise.

Emily In Paris Season 4 Had The Show’s First Real Villain

Geneviève’s Actions Are Messy In Emily In Paris Season 4, Part 2

With the introduction of Laurent G’s (Arnaud Binard) daughter, Geneviève, the Netflix show finally has its first real antagonist. Prior to its fourth season, Emily in Paris had a villain problem, as exemplified by the ongoing love triangle between Emily, Gabriel, and Camille. Other villainous personalities, like JVMA head Louis de Leon (Pierre Deny), have felt like peripheral characters. For an episode or two, Emily and Sylvie’s professional rivals cause problems, but the show never gives such characters much screen time. However, Geneviève, who moves from NYC to Paris to pursue a career in fashion, is a full-fledged character.

Even by the end of Emily in Paris season 4, part 2, it’s hard to really understand Geneviève’s motivations. Although she’s clearly ambitious, Geneviève also seems legitimately grateful for Sylvie’s job offer. In fact, even Geneviève and Emily hit it off pretty immediately. The New York City transplant claims that she wants to be just like Emily — and she may take that realization a bit too seriously. In addition to making Emily’s work life a bit more complicated and tense, Geneviève decides to pursue Gabriel in the wake of his breakup with Emily.

What makes Geneviève’s decision dubious is that she doesn’t talk to Emily about pursuing Gabriel. Instead, Geneviève lies about the nature of her feelings for Gabriel, moves into Emily and Gabriel’s apartment building, and tries to steer Gabriel’s professional endeavors from her assistant position at Agence Grateau. All of this makes Geneviève a new type of character for Emily in Paris — and it’s a welcome change.

Emily In Paris Season 5 Is More Exciting Now

The Fundamental Changes To Emily In Paris’ Formula Are Needed After Four Seasons

Between the introduction of the morally ambiguous and ambitious Geneviève to the show’s big move to Rome, Emily in Paris season 5 looks to be the series’ most exciting installment yet. Since premiering in 2020, Emily in Paris has stuck closely to its fish-out-of-water rom-com premise without much deviation. Even the two episodes that were set in Rome felt completely novel. That’s a great sign as the show moves into its fifth season. Instead of playing it safe or allowing the premise to feel stale, Emily in Paris doing the unexpected — and it’s working.