Lucas Bravo talks about HBO’s ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5, The Seduction

Ever since his international breakout role five years ago as the burly French chef Gabriel in Netflix’s hit romantic comedy Emily in Paris, Lucas Bravo has tried his hand at unconventional roles and strived for edgier, darker roles.

Namely, he stars as the morally corrupt Count Gercourt in “The Seduction,” an HBO Max limited series loosely based on “Dangerous Liaisons.” But Bravo told Variety that he has also learned to embrace the escapism of Emily in Paris, adding that he wants to “bring back the fun Gabriel” in the upcoming fifth season after a “dark” phase where he famously turned the character into guacamole.

The 37-year-old from Nice was working as a sous chef when he auditioned for series creator Darren Star. Bravo says that although he has fond memories of co-starring with George Clooney and Julia Roberts in “Ticket to Paradise,” he has no plans to rush into Hollywood success.

“When she smiles, rainbows and butterflies appear around you,” Bravo recalls of Roberts. He also calls Lily Collins, the title star of Emily in Paris and his on-screen girlfriend (sometimes!), a “genius.”

“The Seduction” premieres Nov. 14 on HBO Max, and “Emily in Paris” Season 5 arrives on Netflix on Dec. 18. Here, Bravo talks about both and more.

In the teaser for the new season of ‘Emily in Paris’, she looks totally Californian with big muscles and highlights. What happened to Gabriel?

I think Gabriel will go back to what he was in season 1. I think we all wanted the fun Gabriel back. I hope your request was met!

You said in an interview that you liked season 4 because your character was more proactive, but it started to seem very depressed to me.

My personality was positive in the first half, but became a little depressed in the second half. When I did that (guacamole) interview, I was talking about my love for the first half of the character! I think any actor is always happy to play a role that is fun.

You have become the epitome of a French lover. What was it like being that guy while pursuing different types of roles?

In my five-year career, which started in Season 1, I was trying to figure out what that meant, what it meant to be in the public eye, what it meant to grow with the character. No one likes labels, but I love the fact that people have connected to this character in a certain way, and I totally embrace that.

In “The Seduction,” “The Balconettes,” and “Libre,” you’ve played all the dark sides of masculinity. Want to make a point about men?

I think we are complex people. We all have a dark side, a little frustration somewhere, a scar from the past. But we live in a society where everything has to be perfect, and there is less and less room for mistakes and second chances. It is important to show that there is a lot of gray area among humans. That’s where the industry is heading, too, allowing for more nuanced, richer storytelling.

You’ve said that with Emily in Paris, there was no room for improvisation because it was an American blockbuster. It’s an HBO show, but what was it like filming “The Seduction” directed by French film director Jessica Parade?

“Emily” allows for a little improvisation. When you talk to Darren, he’s open to ideas and improvisation. This masterpiece, “Dangerous Liaisons,” has been made into a film many times. By choosing to make my character more prominent than in the novel, I was given the opportunity to redraw some of what has existed for centuries. Jessica, the director, completely opened the door for me to be as crazy as possible. I wanted him to look like a snake. Bad guys are really calm and scarier when you can’t see them coming. I’m scared of the moment it explodes. Gercourt is very calm until he strangles her in a marble fireplace and tries to rape her. I wanted his eyes to inspire that fear more than his physicality. The weird thing is when you go home and have to remind yourself that you’re a good person.

The character Gabriel in Emily in Paris is a little too perfect. Don’t you think so?

Your words, not mine. I don’t know. I think there are a lot of questions about what he did, but that’s not for me to judge.

Speaking of Darren Star, did you have Sex and the City in mind when you auditioned for Emily in Paris?

“Sex and the City” was the beginning of my sex education. When I saw that, I was so young and I thought, “Oh, wow, that’s what you can and can’t do as a man.”

What was it like working with two Hollywood legends, George Clooney and Julia Roberts, in “Ticket to Paradise”?

Honestly, it was the most amazing experience of my life, because it was the beginning. I think I only did one season of Emily and one movie with Isabelle Huppert and Jason Isaacs. I came across a set with these icons. Since then, George and Julia have been pivotal in my career. Because they protected me, guided me, and gave me great advice. I still see George. We still talk on the phone.

Because he lives in France, right?

Yes, he now lives in France. I was lucky enough to visit him in Provence. he’s just a good friend. To have someone so generous, established, and benevolent to take you under their wing is the greatest godfather in this industry.

Did he give you any good career advice?

He’s given me a lot, but he’ll never give it to me unless you ask. The biggest advice he gave me wasn’t literal, but by watching him. In “Ticket to Paradise”, he realizes that his only goal in the scene is to make his partner shine. Most actors come in thinking, “I need to have my own space.” George always pays attention to “What can I do to make the person in front of me shine?” By doing so, he naturally shines. Your performance will be even better because you will be able to perform completely selflessly. Something I got from George.

What was it like playing Julia Roberts’ lover?

Julia — When she smiles, rainbows and butterflies appear around you. She’s just the sweetest. I call her lady No. 1. There was Julia, and then they created the others. She is an angel and has a sense of humor that really amazes me. She’s the funniest.

What was it like playing opposite Lily Collins in Emily in Paris?

Lily — I don’t think I’ve ever worked with someone more professional. She’s raising the bar to a level I’ve never seen before. She made me a better actor in terms of being present on set, how to memorize lines, how to deliver lines, and being involved in everything. She sees everything. She has a radar. Even when it seems like she’s reading something, she always makes smart contributions that move the story forward. I think she’s a genius, but don’t tell her that. she won’t admit it.

Would you like to audition for “The White Lotus”?

I think the whole country called for their agents to be in “The White Lotus.” We’ll see how things unravel, but anyone would be lucky to be on such a great show.

What is your next project?

There’s a movie that just opened in Montreal in August (Gilles de Maistre’s Melody for a Bear) in which I play a bear catcher. This is a beautiful story of a father and daughter being reunited. We were there for three months and had to get used to the bears. I had to learn how to play the violin. It was quite a strenuous exercise, but I set off with my bear friends. I know how to handle them, how to feed them, how to sleep next to them. I’m looking forward to this movie being released. It’s a beautiful piece set in the Canadian woods and features many bears. Many of us had our shirts torn by bear claws.

That way, you will definitely get out of your comfort zone.

Well, nature has brought me back because it is my comfort zone!