Star Lily Collins and creator Darren Star talk love triangles, escapism, and hate-watchers.
So if you found yourself mutteringmon dieuat herringardeantics, well, that was kind of the point.
Once there, she proved to be a culturally tone-deaf American abroad.
Lily Collins as Emily in season 2 of ‘Emily in Paris’.Carole Bethuel/Netflix © 2021
“I can see why people were irritated by that,” says Star.
“We’re in on it and Emily is in on it,” explains Collins.
“She is the first person to poke fun at herself.”
Bruno Gouery as Luc, Lily Collins as Emily, and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie on ‘Emily in Paris’.STÉPHANIE BRANCHU/NETFLIX
Still, it was Emily who wound up getting the last laugh.
What did this fish-out-of-water show have going for it that made it so irresistible?
Escapism, for one thing.
Lucien Laviscount as Alfie and Lily Collins as Emily in ‘Emily in Paris’ season 2.Carole Bethuel/Netflix © 2021
Timing, for another.
“Someone told me that it reminded them of what fun felt like,” says Collins.
No wonder high-strung shut-ins gobbled it up like a basket of buttery croissants.
‘Emily in Paris’ creator/executive producer Darren Star, with Ashley Park (who plays Mindy).STÉPHANIE BRANCHU/NETFLIX
Collins remains unfazed by the online snark.
“We pulled a lot from our personal experiences.
says the actress, who also serves as a producer on the series.
“And of course, certain things were heightened.
It’s all meant to be bright and bubbly and fun.”
As for Star, he doesn’t buy the argument that people hate-watched the show.
“I don’t really feel like people waste time watching things that they hate,” he says.
“I give people more credit than that.”
“Shrug, quite honestly,” he says of the skeptics.
“To me, it’s never about awards.
It’s about what the show means to people.
In the end, did you entertain the audience?
Does this show bring them joy?
Is this something they’re going to think about and remember in the future as something they loved?
That’s what’s most important.”
“Emily is reeling from the night before, and grappling with this triangle she’s found herself in.
She’s left in an awkward position and has to make the best of it,” says Collins.
“Her life is in chaos,” adds Star.
And the more she tries to control things, the more they actually get out of hand.”
Then there’s Emily’s fashion, which is still bonkers.
“It’s that same level of eye candy, and it adds a whole other visual layer.”
But it won’t be all about Emily.
“Selfishly, I just love to see Ashley perform,” Star admits of the Tony nominee.
In fact, they prefer the authenticity of seeing characters speak in their language when they logically would."
“But for me, it’sEmily in Paris.”
Emily in Parisseason 2 hits Netflix on Dec. 22.
A version of this story appears inEntertainment Weekly’s December issue, on newsstands now andavailable to order here.
