Emily in Paris cast confronts alleged 'curse' as Season 5 debuts amid off-screen turmoil
A year marked by a crew death, high-profile breakups and a drug arrest accompanies the Netflix series' return to Paris and Rome.
Emily in Paris faced a wave of off-camera turmoil as Season 5 arrived on Netflix, with members of the cast and crew describing an atmosphere of fear and unease. An insider told The Daily Mail that some on the production are 'aghast' and 'walking on eggshells' as whispers swirl about a supposed curse surrounding the show. The season’s production year has been turbulent, including a fatal incident in August when assistant director Diego Borella collapsed in Venice; he was pronounced dead at 47. A Paramount TV Studios spokesperson said the company was 'deeply saddened' by the sudden passing. Filming resumed two days later, and the production pressed on in Paris and Rome.
Across the season’s off-screen life, real-world relationships among the cast have weathered strain as well. Paul Forman and Ashley Park, who play Nicolas de Léon and Mindy Chen, ended their two-year relationship in the run-up to the finale of Season 4 before the new episodes aired. Lucas Bravo, who portrays Gabriel, also saw his short-lived dalliance with Shailene Woodley reportedly fizzle out. In November, Jeremy O’Harris, who plays designer Grégory Duprée, was arrested in Japan on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs; he was released without charges three weeks later. Another notable shift: Camille Razat, who plays Camille, left the series to pursue new opportunities, including her own production venture. Season 5, filmed in Paris and Rome from May through August, centers on Emily’s life after a move to the City of Light and her evolving romance with the Italian Marcello.
Meanwhile, the show’s reception has colored expectations. Critics’ take on the previous season leaned toward disfavor, with many citing a thin plot and repetitive set pieces. Still, performers have pushed through, with Bravo and Park’s split and the other events said to be personal and not a sign of on-set strife. Bravo has publicly described his experience in the series as challenging; he told IndieWire that his character arc had begun to feel 'like guacamole' and that he had grown apart from the character, signaling creative friction, though he indicated he still hoped to contribute to Season 5.
Despite the upheaval, the cast members maintain a strong on-set rapport. Soren Bregendal, who played Erik in earlier seasons, said filming involved long days—'12-hour days'—and called the schedule 'really smashed' but noted a culture of kindness on set. An insider said the cast has formed a family who weather the drama to deliver lighthearted entertainment fans expect, with production continuing to push through routines, international travel and grueling shoots to deliver new episodes that keep audiences tuning in.