Darren Star (“Emily in Paris”): “We are awaiting news from Netflix for season 3”

He is one of the most prolific writers on American television. High school students Beverly hills, it’s him. Residents of Melrose place, it’s him too. We no longer present the four New Yorkers of Sex and the City. He was again responsible for adapting Candace Bushnell’s books. Since last year, it is in Paris that Darren Star has taken up residence through his new flagship heroine.

In Emily in Paris, he is amused by the clash of cultures by landing an American in a postcard Paris. The most-watched comedy of 2020 on Netflix, the series has been praised as much as it has been touted. Critics, Darren Star has made a force. Less clichés, more French people, season 2 seems to correct everything that was criticized for it. The heroine embodied by Lily Collins gains in authenticity by meeting Alfie, a mysterious Briton who is likely to overshadow the handsome Gabriel. The guilty pleasure becomes a fully assumed pleasure over the course of these ten new tasty episodes. It was all well worth a Zoom shot at Emily’s spiritual father.

How did you shape this second season?

I see the first season as the start of a movie. We had some criticism, but I figured it would be answered in the second season. Emily’s character had to grow, it needed a starting point. I think in the second season, we see her evolve more, adapt. We also spend more time with our French characters, which I love. I couldn’t wait to be able to dig, create stories for them and learn more about them.

You talk about evolution and we have the feeling that Emily is growing mainly thanks to newcomers, like Alfie. Why was it essential that this character be British and not French?

We needed someone who spoke Emily’s language, another expat who was also going through a difficult experience, but who was not in the same state of mind. Despite her mishaps and misunderstandings, Emily really loves Paris from the start, sometimes too much. The fact that she finds herself facing a character who is only disdain for the same city, who doesn’t care, allows her to defend her love for Paris and to share it. It also allows her to see that you can be an expatriate and not find the experience as wonderful as she is.

How did you recruit Lucien Laviscount, irresistible Alfie, and why did you choose him?

I saw a lot of actors for this role. I wanted someone who could tease Emily a bit, stand up to her. Lucien was charming. I loved his accent, what he gave off. He represents the UK in a way that I really appreciate. I think Emily could have that kind of hate / love relationship with a guy like that, especially given the way he played the character during the audition. I saw it and thought it was awesome.

Alfie is not a snobbish Englishman, he is rather arrogant …

It is also someone who is obliged to be in Paris. It is not his choice. He’s just trying to do his job and get out of there. In the end, Emily really has a big effect on him.

What I love about this second season is that we finally hear the characters speak French. Did you work with French authors to write these dialogues?

Yes, we collaborated with Julien Teisseire, co-creator and co-writer of the series Heart Plan. We wrote the dialogues in English, he helped us transpose them into French. It has also happened that the French actors themselves, who are perfectly bilingual, watch the script in English and do their own translations depending on how they wanted to say it. They understood exactly what we wanted from their characters, so they also helped us throughout the shoot.

In episode 3, Sylvie tells Pierre Cadault that he gives women self-confidence through his designs. Darren, are you aware that you are the Pierre Cadault of television, that you trust women?

(He’s laughing) I don’t quite think of it that way, but I’m flattered to hear it, thank you. I love to write. I love writing female characters and working with great actresses. So it’s good to hear. Thank you.

We learn a lot more about Sylvie’s personal life. Without disclosing anything to the public, how did you write this story in collaboration with Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu?

I simply put her in front of a fait accompli and told her: “Take !” (he’s laughing) She was up for it. I wanted to do it in a way that I felt was believable, true. It’s not his most important story arc this season, it really becomes essential in what is played out at the end. But I think he shows us Sylvie’s vulnerability. I believe we have found an actress who has a real connection with her character. She questions the authenticity of what she experiences in private. And it will not be without complications …

Liza Miller in her forties in your other series Younger, Sylvie is approaching sixty in Emily in Paris. Are we living in a new golden age for women on television?

I hope so. Women get more interesting as they get older, like all of us. I want to see these stories of women who are 40, 50 and over, because they lead really full and interesting lives. But it is not always represented on the screen. I think the public is asking. These actresses are amazing, Filipina is a prime example. It’s great to write for someone so talented who brings your words to life.

The second season ofEmily in Paris ends on a new cliffhanger. Tell us there will be a third one please!

We have a few ideas, but I’m waiting for news from Netflix about Season 3.

>> Emily in Paris – Season 2 from December 22, season 1 still available on Netflix