The announcement of Pope Leo XIV causing filming delays for season 5 of Emily in Paris was not on Us‘ bingo board.
A source exclusively tells Us Weekly that the hit Netflix series has been affected three days into filming in Rome: “All the news helicopters covering the new Pope are causing mayhem and making so much noise.”
According to the insider, production has had to “keep stopping” while cameras are rolling near the Spanish Steps. The source adds that Lily Collins and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu were filming scenes but had to “redo takes because the noise is crazy.”
The name of the next Pope was announced on Thursday, May 8, after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The news was shared from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, where the newcomer made an appearance on the balcony to greet the crowd.
Emily in Paris, meanwhile, centers around Emily Cooper (Collins) after her move to France from the U.S. for a new job. Emily subsequently ended up caught in a love triangle between Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount).
Emily has since moved on with Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini), but by the end of season 4, Gabriel realized that he wanted to fight for her. Emily, however, had made the move to Rome and appeared to start her future with Marcello.
While they are currently filming in Rome, creator Darren Star previously shut down concerns that Emily in Paris would now be Emily in Rome.
“She didn’t change her Instagram handle to Emily in Rome,” he told Deadline in September 2024. “She is working in Rome sometimes. Sylvie’s company has an office in Rome. Emily’s getting that on its feet. I don’t necessarily think that it means a permanent — in my mind, it’s definitely not a permanent — move to Rome. We’re not leaving Paris.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, however, told Variety in October 2024 that he planned to “fight hard” so Emily in Paris didn’t relocate to Italy for season 5. A third destination for the show is being explored with Saint-Tropez or Megeve in consideration.
“I feel like it just expands the universe of the show. Just at the point that Emily has gotten comfortable in Paris, she’s sort of thrown into another country where she’s going to experience some cultural differences,” Star teased to TVLine in September 2024. “And also, I think there’s cultural differences to explore — and we do — between French and Italians. It’s a whole new world, but it doesn’t mean that we’re leaving Paris.”
Production has picked up after Camille Razat confirmed her departure from the series.
“After an incredible journey, I’ve made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris,” Razat, 31, told TVLine in a statement last month. “It has been a truly wonderful experience — one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories.”
Razat, who played Camille for four seasons, hinted that she could reprise the role in the future, adding, “I’m deeply grateful to Darren Star and the entire team at Netflix and Paramount for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to bring Camille to life and leaving the door open for her return, as she will always be a part of Emily in Paris world.”
