In case you haven’t been methodically counting down the days to season four of Emily in Paris, we have, and we’re happy to report there are only a few to go.
The charming coming-of-age dramedy was gifted to us in 2020 by Darren Star, famous for writing and creating Sex and the City, and acted as the saving grace for many amid two years of on-and-off lockdowns in Australia.
Following Emily Cooper, a Chicago native sent to Paris to work for a year, the show gave us everything we needed: ridiculous fashion moments, singing in a park, stunning French scenery, and best of all, a love triangle for the ages with the stunning Gabriel, played by Lucas Bravo, right at its apex.
While we anxiously await Emily’s Parisian fate in season four, we’re stopping to appreciate Lucas in all his glory.
Lucas Bravo is a French-born actor and model, and although he’d acted on French television before, Gabriel was his first role in English and his first time acting with Netflix as well.
Growing up, Gabriel’s father was a soccer player, meaning the family moved usually every two years around Italy and France.
“My parents were traveling a lot, and I had to reinvent myself in every city and country I was visiting” he told Harpers Bazaar.
Lucas has admitted to feeling drawn to the role of Gabriel, as he noticed a lot of parallels between himself and the charming chef, having worked as a sous-chef himself.
“[He] was originally supposed to be from Nice, where I was born. And Gabriel has always been a name I really liked. I always told myself I would give my daughter or a son the name Gabriel,” he explained.
His portrayal of Gabriel took Lucas’s career international, but also won him many fans the world over.
“Instagram was more a way to communicate with some friends, like being on WhatsApp or anything else. But now, it’s different,” he told Harpers Bazaar of his social media life before Emily in Paris.
“I have quite a few messages. I don’t know if I can keep up… It’s a bit overwhelming, but I like the attention,” he admitted.
“It’s always nice to feel validated and loved, and I’m trying to navigate this to the best of my abilities.”
While Lucas is now starring in films opposite the likes of Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and Maria Bakalova, he’s been candid about the criticisms doled out for Emily in Paris.
While the series was perfect escapism for some, a lot of people took issue with the show leaning into French and American stereotypes, and also, with Emily’s intense approach to fashion.
“There’s a bit of truth everywhere,” Lucas has said.
“Paris is … it’s very diverse, and there’s many stories to tell. So, you have to choose an angle, and Darren [Star] shows his vision from when he was in Paris as a teenager. It’s filled with comedy.”
Lucas’s praise for Darren also stands out among his interviews.
“He started this drama, and I wouldn’t dare touch any of his work, because he’s so good at it … Darren is orchestrating everything, and we’re just playing the instruments,” he has said of the show’s creator.
He’s also admitted to being a big fan of Sex and the City, referring to himself as a Samantha.
“I mean, Kim Cattrall … you go to set, get naked, and make it funny! She went 200 per cent,” he said.
Although we can’t be sure if Lucas is single, there’s no sign of a girlfriend on his social media, although the influx of love from the Emily in Paris stans might leave him wanting to keep such things private.
“There’s no world in which I feel comfortable in front of a wall of flashes,” he revealed to Vanity Fair.
Instead, he claimed he is most content when hiking on Corsica, his mother’s home island.
“You lie on the grass, the cows and wild horses, the lakes, where you can bathe naked, and the stars … it’s perfect to disconnect,” he told the publication.
“It’s my spot.”
While we’re hanging out for Gabriel’s return, there’s also much more in store for Lucas next year for us to look forward to.
With his star only rising and rising, we’re certain we’ll be enjoying Lucas’s lovely face for many years to come.
Watch Below: Lucas Bravo & Ashley Park’s Omelette Face-Off
