Rupert Everett, the actor known for films like My Best Friend’s Wedding, says his time on Emily in Paris has come to an unexpected end. The 66-year-old star shared that he was "fired" from the popular Netflix series. He had just joined the show in its fourth season as the Italian fashion designer, Giorgio Barbieri.
In an interview released on Tuesday, July 29, Everett told Vanity Fair that he won’t be returning to the show. He explained his feelings about the situation. "I did one scene in the last season," he recalled. "They told me, ‘Next year we’ll talk.’ I waited for them to call, but they never did. They just fired me." He described the experience as a "tragedy," saying it left him "in bed for two weeks" because he couldn’t get over it. Everett added that show business is always tough, with plans often changing after scripts are written.
A well-known entertainment publication, Us Weekly, reached out to Netflix for their comment on the situation. However, a source close to the show’s production offered a different view. This source told Vanity Fair that Everett was hired as a guest star. They said his character’s story simply reached its natural end.
Everett isn’t the only familiar face to leave the world of Emily in Paris. The series, created by Darren Star, follows the adventures of American Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins. It seems the show often has characters moving in and out of its story.
For example, Camille Razat, who played a gallery owner also named Camille, will not be in Season 5. Her character was Emily’s friend and dated chef Gabriel, played by Lucas Bravo. This created some tension between Emily and Gabriel. Darren Star, 64, appeared to confirm Razat’s departure in a TVLine interview around September 2024. At the time, he mentioned that characters can come and go from a show. He said, "You don’t necessarily have to see them." He wasn’t sure how much they would see of Camille in the next season, but added that she’s still part of the show’s universe.
Other characters who have also made their exits include Kate Walsh as Madeline, Emily’s former boss from Chicago. Charles Martins, who played Mathieu, one of Emily’s love interests, also left. Thalia Besson, who played Genevieve and worked with Emily, also departed. Her character had formed a bond with Gabriel, which sometimes made things awkward.
The most recent season wrapped up with Emily making a big move to Rome for her job. She also started a new romance there with Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini. Star spoke to TVLine about this change. He feels it simply makes the show’s world bigger. He likes the idea of Emily getting comfortable in Paris, only to be thrown into another country with new cultural experiences. He believes there are interesting cultural differences between the French and Italians to explore. He calls it a "whole new world," but assured fans that Paris won’t be completely left behind.