Lily Collins goes to bat for her ‘annoying’ Emily in Paris character

After its premiere last fall, Emily in Paris, quickly became one of the most watched Netflix shows of all time – despite drawing in criticism due to Lily Collins’ character Emily’s chaotic, avant-basic fashion choices and aggressive American exceptionalism as she navigates her move to Paris.

Now – ahead of the show’s season two premiere on December 22 – Lily Collins has shared her own opinion on Emily’s ‘annoying’ qualities.

“A lot of the qualities that Emily has, if you put them on paper, would seem so annoying,” she explained, in a new interview with NYLON. “To have someone be optimistic, bright, and bubbly – it’s sad to think that people would look and go, ‘That’s a lot.’” 

She continued: “They’re such beautiful qualities and the fact that she (Emily) can partner that with being vulnerable and asking for help and making mistakes – she’s not infallible.” 

Elsewhere in the interview, Collins explained that when she first read the script, she anticipated a romantic storyline between Emily and her first real French friend, Camille (played by Camille Razat). When they first meet in season one outside a flower stand, the two women share an accidental kiss as Emily misinterprets a kiss on both cheeks as a hug.

“When I read that, I was like, ‘So, is this going to go anywhere?’” said Collins. “I remember the writers being like, ‘Don’t know.’” Perhaps a storyline for season two?

As revealed in the trailer, the new season seems to follow Emily as she indulges in a glamorous holiday on the French coast in Saint-Tropez, joined by friends Mindy and Camille. There, they attend a lavish mansion party and lounge on a yacht as Emily debates her next Instagram caption. 

Lucas Bravo will also return as Grabriel – the sexy chef who lives below Emily’s apartment – and Lucien Laviscount will join the show as new character Alfie.

Watch the trailer for Emily in Paris season two below.