UPDATE: New reports confirm that Lucas Bravo, known for his role as Gabriel, is significantly absent from most episodes of the newly released season 5 of Emily in Paris, which started streaming on December 18, 2024. Creator Darren Star revealed that despite Bravo’s limited screen time, the season has “the right amount” of Gabriel, raising questions among fans about his character’s future.
Star clarified in a recent interview with Decider that Bravo was not consulted on his character’s reduced presence. “He really wasn’t consulted, and he just chose to come back to the show,” Star stated. The storyline, he explained, did not focus on Gabriel this season. “That’s not where Emily’s story was, or where we ever planned it to be in season 5,” he added.
In the latest season, Gabriel makes a brief appearance in Rome before returning to Paris, ultimately accepting a new job that takes him away once again. The episode culminates with Gabriel writing a letter to Emily, inviting her to visit him in Greece, leaving viewers in suspense over their relationship.
Director and executive producer Andrew Fleming addressed Bravo’s absence, noting he had filming commitments for another movie. “He did have a commitment. He had a movie that he was doing,” Fleming explained. “So we worked around that.”
Despite his limited role, Fleming emphasized Gabriel’s importance to the series. “He’s part of the DNA of the show,” he said. “When he and Emily are in a scene together, something undefinable happens. There’s just something about the two of them that’s very watchable.”
In a previous interview with IndieWire, Bravo expressed his concerns about Gabriel’s character development, stating he felt disconnected from the role. “The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in season 1, and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes,” Bravo lamented. He described Gabriel’s evolution as “kind of becoming guacamole,” citing a lack of risk and depth in his character arc.
Bravo also shared his frustrations about the creative process, revealing he attempted to voice his concerns but felt limited by the script. “There is only so much I can do in the limits of a script,” he noted. “I tried for seasons to bring nuances, but we don’t have much liberty on set.”
As season 5 progresses, fans are left wondering if Gabriel will regain his charm. Bravo expressed hope for a shift in his character’s direction, stating, “I really want to see if Gabriel gets back to his fun, cheeky, playful, alive self.”
With season 5 already generating buzz, viewers are eager for updates on the fan-favorite couple’s fate. The cliffhanger ending leaves the door open for potential developments in future seasons.
Stay tuned for further updates on Gabriel’s journey and the evolving storylines of Emily in Paris.
