NEW YORK – Lucas Bravo understands your feelings about his character on “Emily in Paris.”

Throughout the four seasons of the popular Netflix romantic comedy, Bravo’s character Gabriel, a French chef, has been caught between his neighbor Emily (Lily Collins) and his ex-fiancée Camille (Camille Razat), ultimately causing turmoil in both romances. However, Bravo, now 36, doesn’t accept the blame for his character’s indecisiveness.

“I’m an actor and I don’t decide for him,” he laughs, shortly after Netflix confirmed that the show is returning for a fifth season. “I have no idea where the storyline will lead next, but I hope we won’t have to choose sides like ‘Team This’ or ‘Team That.’ I don’t want to be viewed as a choice; humans are intricate beings. But, you know, the show is simply what it is.”

‘Emily in Paris’ star Lucas Bravo is eager to reveal his darker side

Since the debut of “Emily” in 2020, Bravo has made a concerted effort to showcase that he is more than just a charming face. “I can’t claim that this is the role where I show the widest range,” he admits. “But that’s not really what the show focuses on. I’m mainly here to uplift the female characters.”

After gaining attention for his leading roles in romantic comedies like “Ticket to Paradise” and “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” Bravo is venturing into more challenging territory. He’s taking on a role as a violent predator in the #MeToo thriller “The Balconettes,” which made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and portraying a real-life figure resembling Robin Hood in “Freedom” (available on Prime Video starting November 1), a biopic about French criminal Bruno Sulak.

Suluk, known as the “gentleman bandit” due to his nonviolent methods, was a true master of disguise: described as a “conman” by law enforcement and “the most wonderful lover” by his girlfriend, as Bravo describes. The actor resonates with this adaptability, having been the child of professional soccer player Daniel Bravo, whose career caused the family to frequently relocate.

“I had to learn to adjust as a child and consistently be the newcomer,” Bravo recalls.

By 15, he had joined an acting academy and made his acting debut in the 2013 French television drama “Sous le Soleil de Saint-Tropez.” “Freedom” represents his first leading role, which he found both “terrifying and exhilarating.”

“It was the first occasion when I left the set genuinely content with my performance,” he adds. “It instilled in me a strong desire to continue pursuing this path.”

George Clooney comforted him after his unexpected rise to fame

Bravo attributes his ability to stay on track in Hollywood to the support of his “Ticket to Paradise” co-star George Clooney. Following the bubbly launch of “Emily,” which became a cultural sensation (and a frequent target for social media criticism), Bravo felt uncertain about his future in acting.

“I consider myself a private individual,” he shares. “I cherish my small circle of friends; I am close to my family; I’m from a peaceful town in the South of France. There’s a lot of noise and conflicting opinions, and it often feels like I’m wandering through a hall of mirrors. I thought, ‘Maybe I’m too sensitive for this profession.’”

However, collaborating with Clooney and Julia Roberts on the 2022 film “I realized George’s enthusiasm. He seemed as thrilled as if he were working on his first student film,” Bravo reflects. “He was joyous and made jokes, inspiring everyone, and reminding me that being a lead actor is not merely occupying the top position on the call sheet but caring for the well-being of fellow cast members.”

Now, Bravo considers Clooney a mentor, who shares wisdom with him and occasionally hosts him for dinner: “It brings me comfort to see that you can maintain your humanity in an industry that can be quite overwhelming.”

Bravo notes that he has been less frequently recognized by fans lately, especially since debuting a new shaggy hairstyle.

Keep an eye out for Lucas Bravo’s upcoming Max series “Merteuil,” which is based on the classic “Dangerous Liaisons.” He maintains a professional tone on his Instagram, avoiding personal selfies or images of his meals. “I enjoy keeping a bit of mystery,” the French actor shares with a grin. “Mystery is alluring.”

With a witty and curious demeanor, Bravo passionately discusses his interests in veganism, sustainability, and marine conservation. He’s recently spent six months learning Japanese, aiming to shoot his debut film in Japan—a romantic tale that will immerse him in their culture. “I truly want to experience their way of life,” he notes. During his scarce free time, he relishes hiking in “incredibly remote areas,” including Alaska and Patagonia.

“I feel very fortunate to be busy and to have success, but I can hardly remember the last time I took a week to be alone in nature,” Bravo reflects. “When you get just one or two days off, they often go to preparing for the next project or promoting the one before it. Eventually, you find yourself on a continuous loop, and unless you decide to take a pause, no one else will.”

However, he concludes that he will soon need a break: “It’s challenging to perform authentically if you don’t take time to reflect on everything happening around you.”