Warning: The following article includes spoilers for Part 1 of Season 4 of Netflix’s “Emily in Paris.”

“Emily in Paris” has always been playful, fashionable, and as discreet as a McBaguette.

However, the light-hearted Netflix series is donning a more serious attitude as it boldly delves into a significant Me Too storyline during the first half of Season 4 (now available for streaming). The latest episodes focus heavily on Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), the determined French marketing executive, who oversees the imaginative American transplant, Emily (Lily Collins).

In the season opener, Sylvie gets contacted by a journalist aiming to expose ongoing sexual misconduct by Louis de Leon (Pierre Deny), the head of the luxury brand JVMA. Initially, Sylvie hesitates to share her own experiences of harassment, particularly since her husband, Laurent (Arnaud Binard), plans to establish a new nightclub in collaboration with Louis.

Yet, Sylvie feels compelled to serve as a role model for younger women, encouraging them not to tolerate inappropriate behavior from men. Ultimately, she chooses to go public with her allegations, which leads Louis to contemplate stepping down from JVMA by the end of Part 1.

For creator Darren Star, the key was finding a balance between addressing such a critical issue and retaining the show’s signature lightheartedness.

“We often discussed how to tell this story without trivializing it while maintaining the show’s tone,” Star explains. “The characters have also become more realistic and multifaceted. This wasn’t something I would have wanted to pursue in Season 2, but by Season 4, the audience is prepared to embark on this journey with the characters.”

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Sylvie embodies ‘strength’ in ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 4

Much like Star’s iconic HBO series, “Sex and the City,” which concluded its run in 2004, “Emily in Paris” is celebrated for its striking, eccentric fashion choices. However, this season, Leroy-Beaulieu advocated for a more subdued wardrobe for Sylvie.

“I requested a more understated fashion style so that the emphasis could shift to the character’s inner struggle,” the actress explains. “It was fascinating what we developed over three seasons, but my aim was for viewers to focus on her experiences rather than her fashion.”

This subtlety carried into the writing. In a memorable scene from the fourth episode, Laurent gently questions Sylvie about why she never shared the harassment incident with him. Calmly and firmly, Sylvie responds that she is “not a victim. I have worked tirelessly to attain my position. I wanted to create my narrative, rather than being defined by his.”

“I find that statement profound,” Leroy-Beaulieu shares. “It encapsulates so much about Sylvie and those who exhibit courage. Challenges don’t exist to defeat you, but to foster personal growth. Once you remove yourself from the victim mindset, you unlock valuable lessons about your inner strength and the benefits of overcoming difficulties.”

The Netflix series’ Me Too narrative isn’t a ‘surprise’

The remaining five episodes of Season 4 are set to premiere on Sept. 12. Star hints at the emergence of a “formidable new adversary” at JVMA, which will affect Sylvie’s business trajectory. Additionally, Emily’s close friend, Mindy (Ashley Park), will be impacted, as she is romantically involved with Louis’ son, Nicolas (Paul Forman), and struggles with how to support him during his father’s public relations crisis without seeming complicit.

“Mindy represents a strong character with firm convictions and a solid sense of identity,” Star explains. “Yet she also possesses empathy for Nicolas and what he is facing, particularly concerning family matters.”

Worried that the show has taken a serious turn? Don’t fret; there’s still a lot of playful office antics, spicy love triangles, and picturesque excursions throughout Paris. Plus, the series has tackled serious themes since its start in 2020.

“People seem to think this is a drastic change for us,” states Andrew Fleming, one of the executive producers and directors on the show. “But I recall a particular scene from the first season where Emily is on a bridge shooting a commercial. In it, a woman is naked, and Emily raises the question, ‘Is this sexist?’ They even discuss the Me Too movement back in Season 1.”

“It feels like having a storyline like this is intrinsic to the series. At its essence, it’s a story about women in the workplace.”