Emily in Paris's main character Emily sits at an outdoor cafe with a Paris backdrop. She holds a white teacup with the words'

French President Emmanuel Macron reacts to Emily in Paris potentially leaving his country behind for Italy. The rom-com series, which debuted in 2020, has recently been renewed for its fifth season. The show, created by Darren Star (Sex and the City), follows young Chicagoan Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), who moves to Paris to work for a chic marketing firm. The season 4 finale seemingly sets up Emily for a big move to Rome, raising questions about Emily in Paris season 5’s setting and surprising many viewers.

This includes the French president himself, whose wife made an appearance on the series this year. In an interview with Variety, amid a discussion about France’s move towards the global center of culture, President Emmanuel Macron touched upon the upcoming fifth season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris. He shared his reaction to the series potentially switching locations, teasing he wouldn’t let it go easily. Macron said:

‘Emily in Paris’ is super positive in terms of attractiveness for the country. For my own business, it’s a very good initiative. We will fight hard. And we will ask them to remain in Paris! ‘Emily in Paris’ in Rome doesn’t make sense.

What Emily In Rome Means For The Series

And What It Means For Paris

Emily (Lily Collins) enjoying an Aperol Spritz in Rome in Emily in Paris Season 4 Episode 9

The Emily in Paris season 4 part 2 ending sets up major professional and personal developments for Emily, who cements her relationship with her new Italian love interest, Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), during a trip to Rome, Italy, for business. Emily’s boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) secures a deal with the Muratori family’s fine cashmere business and promises to set up an office in Italy for six months, picking Emily as the head of the agency’s Rome office and ensuring her return to the Italian city for season 5. This all but guarantees a portion of the upcoming episodes will be set in Rome.

Nonetheless, French viewers and Paris lovers shouldn’t grieve the move just yet. Creator Darren Starr, per an interview with Tudum, insisted that the series won’t become Emily in Rome anytime soon. “Emily’s going to have a presence in Rome,” Starr explained, “It doesn’t mean she’s not going to be in Paris, but she’s going to have a presence in Rome.” This should make Macron happy, as it means France won’t lose Netflix’s business. Still, his reaction to Emily in Paris potentially moving to Rome shows the series would lose something vital if it changed its premise so suddenly.

Our Take on Emily’s Move to Rome

It’s A Good Move — Sorry, President Macron!

Emily in Pari's main character Emily walking with her love interest, Marcello, through a city street of Rome.

Emily in Rome, if it were to happen, does make sense. Emily’s big move to Rome refreshes the show’s narrative with new perspectives, new people, and new places for its lead characters. Her voicemail to Gabriel at the conclusion of season 4 means he’ll likely continue to pursue her across country lines, bringing the series’ progressing love triangle (or square, perhaps) to the European stage. Emily in Paris has the potential to explore various countries across Europe, evolving its characters across new settings and keeping things exciting for the show’s growing audience.