PaleyFest LA, which showcases buzzworthy TV shows, aptly concluded this year with one of the most popular, Emily in Paris.

After screening an exclusive clip from the show, the creator and cast members participated in an interactive Q & A panel with the festival attendees, which was moderated by People magazine’s Janine Rubenstein at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Emily in Paris, about a young, ambitious 20-something marketing executive from Chicago who unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris, has been watched by 58 million households in the month after its debut, as of May 3, 2021, according to Netflix.

In attendance during the event were creator/showrunner/writer/executive producer Darren Starr, director/executive producer Andrew Fleming and cast members Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), Camille Razat (Camille), Lucien Laviscount (Alfie), and Lucas Bravo (Gabriel).

During the panel discussion, it was obvious that there was genuine rapport and off-camera friendship between stars Collins and Park as they laughed at each other’s jokes or comments. Audiences were also excited to see Emily’s two love interests in the show together onstage – Lucas Bravo and Lucien Laviscount.

A note was also sent to Starr on stage telling him to let both Laviscount and the audience know that his contract had been renewed for Season 3. The 29-year-old British actor was pleasantly shocked and happy and simply couldn’t contain his excitement over the good news.

Starr, who also created such shows as Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Sex and the City, and Younger, told audiences that they were thinking about “how we were going to show off Paris. It’s not hard to make Paris look amazing because it is. We always want the story to drive the locations.

“Locations help tell the story but we have some really beautiful locations lined up for Season 3 in France, not just in Paris. Andy (Fleming) has gone out and scouted so many already. So, I think we just discovered these hidden spots in Paris that are just so beautiful. And it’s just like this fantastic stage.”

Starr added that in the new season, there won’t just be a love triangle but a love square. He said, “It makes my head hurt to think about it. I’ll say that much. Emily also has two really amazing men in her life. One who, at the moment, is not available.”

Asked how he felt joining the cast as Alfie, Emily’s newest love interest, Laviscount revealed, “He came in strong, but I was so nervous. But I just felt so welcomed by this amazing cast.”

As for the chemistry between him and Collins, he said, “Honestly for me, I’ll go ahead and say it, Lily is one of the most incredible women to work with. She’s a boss and the whole cast and crew love her. I’m really grateful to her.”

Collins added, occasionally turning to Laviscount, “He did an audition, sent a tape in. Darren showed it to me. And right away, it was just apparent. Darren said, ‘That is Alfie.’ Without any conversation, we just saw it. Then we jumped on the Zoom and just had a conversation with him for 45 minutes, all of us.

“You felt weirdly comfortable so it’s crazy to hear that you were super nervous. Even on day one, I was like, he’s the new guy and he’s so cool. Every single person on the crew made a point, from the hair and make-up department to grips to the cameramen. Everyone was like, this new guy is so cool and so nice. And it’s true. But to be nice to everybody on set and fit right in quickly. It was like he’d been there before. It’s true.”

Collins talked about what she has learned from portraying Emily. “From the get-go, Darren and I have had these conversations about making France come alive in new ways in this season and incorporating more of the French language. Emily is really trying in Season 2 to learn more of the French language and have that be more part of the show.

“We are exploring new areas in France, obviously getting to go to St. Tropez and really having these female friendships bloom and blossom in different ways.

“But I was just excited to go back to this season. During the pandemic when we were all missing each other and human connection so much, to be able to go back to shoot a show that felt so genuinely fun and positive the first time around.

“We didn’t know it would come out during the pandemic when everyone needed to travel, smile, and remember what fun feels like. To reenter that world when we were creating it was such a gift. It was just a beautiful experience. Then to find out we get to keep doing it was a real testament to the camaraderie between the cast and crew.”

As for what she loves about Emily, Collins shared, “I love so many things about Emily. I did the second I read the pilot. But one thing that sticks out and is something that I admire in a lot of the women I’ve had the pleasure of working with, in front or behind the camera, is that they’re unapologetically in love with what they do.

“There’s a deep romance with their work and with being good at their job and not apologizing for that. Emily is constantly seeking out advice and help and isn’t afraid to take it when she needs it or when she’s wrong.

“But she’s also not ashamed of being driven and passionate. That’s a really bold girl women can look up to.

“It’s really important to showcase that and to have strength. Also, to know when you need help and asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength. I like the way Emily really acknowledges that. I don’t think that I’d tell her to stop.”