PARIS: Just as the world prepares to binge-watch the much-anticipated fifth season of Emily in Paris, lead star Lily Collins is getting candid about the real-life chaos behind the camera. The 36-year-old actress, who has become a global fashion icon as Emily Cooper, recently revealed that filming this season was her most challenging yet—not because of the couture or the complex love triangles, but because she was navigating the “sleepless nights” of new motherhood.
The Balancing Act: “I May Not Be On My Game”
Speaking in an emotional new interview with The Sun, Collins admitted that the juggle between her high-profile career and her new role as a mother has been a “struggle.” Filming for the fifth installment began in Rome and Paris just months after she welcomed her first child, and the actress didn’t sugarcoat the experience. “You have a different purpose and it’s really tough,” she confessed, noting that the exhaustion was real. Collins even warned the crew that she might not be at her usual 100%, telling them to “give me some grace” because she was running on very little sleep and felt she might not be “on her game” during long shoot days.
The Surrogacy Journey: Meet Baby Tove Jane McDowell
For fans who might have missed the news, Lily Collins and her filmmaker husband, Charlie McDowell, became first-time parents in January 2025. The couple welcomed their daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogacy, a journey Lily described as deeply personal and life-changing. Since the birth, the actress has been vocal about her gratitude for their surrogate and the new “center of her world.” This personal milestone significantly shifted her perspective on set, leading her to ditch her usual “perfectionism.” In fact, Lily joked that she ended up in the blooper reel more than ever this year because she learned to embrace the imperfections of being a working mom.
What’s Next: Emily’s Italian Adventure Drops Today!
While Lily was busy with diapers and late-night feedings, her character Emily Cooper was busy packing for Italy. Season 5, which officially premieres on Netflix today, Friday, December 18, sees Emily shifting her focus to the Agence Grateau’s new Rome office. This season promises a “European political love triangle” as Emily navigates her feelings for Marcello while Gabriel remains a lingering presence in Paris. Lily teased that this version of Emily is the “closest to who I am,” showing a more vulnerable and grounded side of the character that mirrors her own growth as a parent.
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