Lily Collins, who made her West End debut last night in a performance described as “sensational”, has revealed she wants Netflix’s Emily in Paris – the show that made her famous – to come to London for its fifth season.
In the show, which first aired in 2020, she plays Emily Cooper, an American marketing executive who moves to Paris for work. It was the streamer’s biggest hit of the year in 2022 and continues to be among the most watched shows on the platform.
“I hope Emily comes to London,” the Emmy-nominated actress told the Standard las night, following her performance in Bess Wohl’s new play, Barcelona, attended by luminaries including Gary Oldman, Jason Isaacs and Lily Iglehart. “I’ve been pitching that; I’m like, she wants to go to Big Ben!”
There has been speculation about where Emily will end up next, after she moved to Rome for the second half of season four. Online commentators have pointed out that Emily’s French Visa must have passed its expiry date. Collins told us she’d been “following all the theories”.
A day earlier her Emily in Paris co-star, Lucas Bravo reportedly said he was unsure about returning as Emily’s love interest Gabriel, after seeing a character he loves so much mistreated by others and “turned into guacamole”. “I literally have been reading those [articles] myself and I have zero idea what’s happening,” Collins said.
When asked if Emily belongs with Gabriel, Collins – who is also a producer on the show – said: “I just want Emily to be happy.”
Collins herself has taken up residence in London for Barcelona, which runs until 11 January at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Directed by Evening Standard Theatre Award winner Lynette Linton, it also stars Álvaro Morte, best known for his lead role in the Netflix drama, Money Heist.
Set in a flat in the Catalan capital over the course of a single evening, it depicts two strangers about to share a night of passion: but things quickly unravel into darker territory. It takes place during the Obama administration and a week out from the US elections, Collins said it felt “timely” bringing to life a script that is partly about the European perception of American politics.
Her character in Barcelona “is given an opportunity to educate [herself]”, she said, adding: “It’s okay to have different opinions to those you were raised with.” Collins endorsed Kamala Harris last week.
Collins said she had a heavy hand in bringing Wohl’s show to London. “When I read this play, originally, it was maybe gonna be in New York,” she said. “And I said to Bess, I really wanna do this, but my dream is the West End. Do you think there’s any way can we hold on and see if we get an offer from the West End instead?” When asked if anywhere beat London for theatre, Collins said: “no”.
“I was born in England and I’ve always felt more European than American,” the actress said. “Ironically, though, I play very American characters.” Collins is among the people named in the Standard 100, a celebratory list of the men and women shaping London in 2024. “For me to be associated with London through this play and come here and perform is such an honour,” she said.
Her love of the city extends beyond the theatre. “I love how creative and vibrant and non-judgemental London is,” she said. “I’ve met so many people here who allow you to be the most uninhibited version of yourself.”
Like Sarah Jessica Parker, who performed earlier this year in Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre, Collins has particular praise for the city’s public transport network — in particular, buses.
“There’s nothing better than sitting at the front of a double decker bus — I feel like I’m in Harry Potter,” she said. “My husband and I will go to the top just to ride the bus and feel like we’re in a movie.” Her favourite neighbourhoods include Portobello, Covent Garden, Queen’s Park and “stunning” Hampstead Heath. Although she loves Paris, “London is starting to feel more and more like home.”
Barcelona is at the Duke of York’s Theatre until January 11
