Emily is a bubbly and ambitious young marketing executive who moves to Paris from her home in Chicago for a job opportunity. Navigating career challenges, building meaningful friendships, and looking for love in the world’s most romantic city, Emily builds a life for herself in France. Season 5 picks up in Rome, where Emily has been tasked with opening an Italian outpost of Agence Grateau, the marketing firm that employs her. A new boyfriend, Marcello, accompanies her on this adventure. “She followed her heart to a new city in search of fresh experiences,” says Collins. “What began as a quick trip slowly turned into something that far exceeded her expectations.”

The Blind Side, Mirror Mirror, Mank

Sylvie is Emily’s boss, the no-nonsense owner of Agence Grateau. When the two first began working together, Sylvie had little patience for Emily’s distinctly American outlook on life, but as time has gone on, she’s grown to appreciate her creativity and vision. “Sylvie is, by this point, almost looking at Emily like an equal partner,” Star says. While growing her own marketing agency, Sylvie also maintains an active — and often messy — love life.

Call My Agent!, Two Brothers, Agathe Koltès

Originally from Shanghai, Mindy is an aspiring singer whose sense of humor and sweet nature immediately endeared her to Emily when the two met in Season 1. She’s the heiress to her father’s zipper fortune, but she’s determined to forge her own path. With Emily’s unwavering support, Mindy goes after her dream of making it big in show business. “Emily and Mindy’s relationship is so beautiful,” Collins says. “Every year, we’ve gotten to see their friendship grow and strengthen. … They love each other deeply, and they’re always there for one another.”

Mean Girls, Only Murders in the Building

Gabriel is Emily’s downstairs neighbor and a talented young chef. Throughout the series, the two have a will they, won’t they relationship, which is complicated by exes and professional aspirations. “I think there’s something about [their] relationship … that was a little surface-y,” Star told Tudum. But in Season 4, the two get to know each other on a deeper level. “It gets a little bit more real in terms of who they are and taking off the rose-colored glasses about each other,” he said. This eventually leads Gabriel to head out for Rome in hopes of a reunion.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Ticket to Paradise

Alfie is a sarcastic but charming British–born banker whom Emily first meets in French class in Season 2. The two dated in Paris and tried making a long-distance relationship work but eventually broke up. “It’s sad that they aren’t together, but they also still care for each other, and they want the best for each other,” Collins told Tudum. Now Emily and Alfie are just friends who also occasionally work together: he has assumed the role of CFO for Maison Lavaux, a French perfumery that happens to be one of Emily’s biggest clients.

Grange Hill, Coronation Street, Scream Queens

Opinionated Julien works alongside Emily — first at Savoir, the Parisian marketing firm that’s sold to an American conglomerate at the start of the series, and then at Agence Grateau. Like Sylvie, he’s initially exasperated by the new American employee but eventually forms a strong personal and professional relationship with her.

Platane, National Theatre Live: Antony & Cleopatra

Eccentric Luc also came to Agence Grateau from Savoir, and he provides plenty of comic relief. “With the character of Luc, I think the writers want to always … give something more funny, comical, humorous,” Gouery told Tudum. He’s the first of Emily’s French co-workers to warm up to her and even takes it upon himself to introduce her to various aspects of French culture. 

The White Lotus, Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness

Marcello, Emily’s new love interest, is the heir to his family’s Italian cashmere company. The two first met while skiing in Season 4 — Marcello helped Emily up after she wiped out on the slopes — and now they’re enjoying time together in Rome. “Marcello happens to come at a time when Emily is starting to be able to sit in the uncomfortable and embrace what the world is bringing her, and she’s more open to new opportunity,” Collins told Tudum. “I think that’s perfect, because Marcello is a whole other adventure that we want for Emily.”

Sapore di te, Maldamore

Nicolas is an executive at JVMA, a luxury goods conglomerate owned by his family, and a longtime friend of Mindy, with whom he attended boarding school in Switzerland. In Season 4, Nico and Mindy begin dating, but jealousy and pressure from his controlling family lead to a breakup.

Doctor Who, Stags, Nevrland

The owner of the French perfumery Maison Lavaux, flirtatious Antoine is a longtime client of Sylvie. The two also had a yearslong love affair but now keep things — mostly — professional.

Homeland, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl

Laurent, Sylvie’s husband, is a nightclub owner who splits his time between Saint-Tropez and Paris.

Modern Family, Banking District, Agathe Koltès

Laurent’s daughter and Sylvie’s stepdaughter, Geneviève begins working at Agence Grateau after graduating from NYU and moving to Paris. Like Emily, she’s an ambitious American, and she can be quite competitive. “I love the way that Geneviève was written, because you never quite know if she’s conniving or if she’s just quite naïve,” Collins said. “That ambiguity helps fuel [the drama].”

Dracula, When I’m Ready

Princess Jane is Sylvie’s flamboyant friend in Rome and her former partner in crime. Jane married a much older Italian prince for the title and the fortune only to discover he’s broke. Now, adapting to her unexpected situation, she hawks brands on TikTok and Instagram. “Jane isn’t afraid to stir things up, throw a wrench into situations, and assert that she knows better than everyone,” Collins says. “She’s hilarious but also conniving and tricky.”

Good Will Hunting, Grosse Pointe Blank, Speechless

Jake is a charming Midwesterner who works as a consular officer at the US Embassy and meets Emily at an American pub in Paris. As a fellow expat, “Jake brings a sense of nostalgia and a connection to home that Emily hasn’t experienced in the past four seasons,” Collins says. “He offers comfort, confidence, and [he’s] someone who really sees her and challenges her hesitance and the walls she can often put up.”

How to Make It in America, Prime, Bride Wars

Thomas is a British billionaire who partners with Agence Grateau for the opening of his first Paris hotel. Although he is a fan of outer space travel, he’s just as comfortable aboard his yacht — which may just need a new crew member. 

First Knight, Chuck, And Just Like That…

Yvette and Sylvie used to be frenemies, but they reconnect thanks to Emily and Instagram. “[Michèle’s] terrific — a wonderful, fantastic French actress and beloved in France,” Star says.   

Ma vie en rose, Brillantissime