Fans of bright-eyed protagonists with enviable wardrobes are sure to be pleased with the new Netflix series Emily in Paris, which premiered on the streaming platform this Friday, October 2.
From the mind of Sex and the City creator Darren Star, the story takes an international perspective on the small-town character venturing into the big city. Lily Collins plays Emily Cooper, a Chicago native who receives the opportunity to work at a big-time marketing firm in Paris and arrives in the city with unwavering enthusiasm and little knowledge of the French language. With hilariously icy treatment from her co-workers and never-ending complications in her love life, it’s the perfect fun watch for those eager for light drama and travel inspo, especially considering the world’s current state of affairs.
French actor Samuel Arnold makes his American debut on the series, playing Emily’s chic but judgy co-worker Julien. The Knockturnal sat down with him to discuss his getting his big break on Netflix, what he’s been binge-watching, and his experience with the show’s cast.
The Knockturnal: You’re from France, correct?
Samuel Arnold: Yes. I am!
The Knockturnal: Did you feel you had any creative input, any little suggestions for authenticity’s sake?
Samuel Arnold: Well, I felt like I was home, first of all, but at the same time, I felt like I was rediscovering everything, the city and everything with the cast and everybody because that was like seeing Paris from a new eye. So I felt also at the same time, as if I was brand new, like everyone else. I feel like I had like I had, like, no clue, like everyone else. I was like, oh, that’s Paris. Even though it was my own town!
The Knockturnal: So were you able to like to show your castmates around?
Samuel Arnold: Yeah, we did, we went to some cafes. You know in Paris, you sit watching the city. Like an audience to the city. We went to some clubs as well. We visited around. That was pretty cool.
The Knockturnal: This is kind of your big American debut, so what’s it like being on a platform as big as Netflix, with as much reach as it has? What’s it like to dive in headfirst or something like that?
Samuel Arnold: That was very exciting at first. It was like a big celebration, obviously, when I got the news. And I mean, I think it’s, you know, the product of hard work and a little bit of luck as well. And it felt it felt very good to be able to express, express myself in such a good environment and such a big platform.
The Knockturnal: So with your character, he’s obviously very complex, very funny. What were you given on the paper and then what did you feel like you added to him?
Samuel Arnold: So on the paper, you know, they just told me, you know, this character is very glamorous, very, you know, sassy and upbeat and comic, and then they just let me do whatever I wanted to do with it. They just trusted me with it. I was very free to do whatever and have fun with it. So yeah, it was very creative, you know, it was amazing for me, definitely.
The Knockturnal: And [your character is] kind of cold a bit sometimes. Did you take any inspiration from any other kind of catty characters, like anything else that you looked to get into the vibe?
Samuel Arnold: Well, I got to be honest, I got some friends…I got some friends that are like that! And I was like, ‘I don’t have to look too far to get some information!’ Like what my character does to some people in the show, my friends do that to me sometimes!
The Knockturnal: Did you tell them? Like, you guys are my inspiration, you know?
Samuel Arnold: Actually no!
The Knockturnal: Who are you most excited to see this in your everyday life?
Samuel Arnold: Well, my family. Yeah, my sisters, my sister, my mom, that’s the people I’m really, really looking forward to, for them to see the show. And then the bigger audience, obviously, I was so happy to be able to show myself and what I can do. And hear the feedback and everything, you know, just to introduce myself to the audience.
The Knockturnal: And what was your favorite scene to film?
Samuel Arnold: Oh, that’s a very good question. My favorite scene in the film is such a difficult question, but, you know, it’s like asking which one is your favorite kids, you know, children. It’s like I loved the whole process. It felt like because it was in Paris, it felt very safe for me because it was like, ‘oh, Samuel, you’re going to star in a massive American series. Oh, my God.’ But it’s going to be at home. OK, you know what I mean? It felt very good. It was like people were very supportive. Everybody from the cast to the producers to the directors, to the writers. Everybody was very kind and supportive. And yet it felt like working hard and holidaying at the same time, you know? Like holidays with friends I know all in Paris. And I think the experience itself was just amazing. I don’t think I can just pick one moment.
The Knockturnal: That’s so awesome that you do have kind of a higher ground thereof being in your home territory, despite it being like this big American project. The big theme in the show is Emily being kind of an outsider. Have there ever been moments where you’ve had a cringe moment where you don’t know what to say or the right thing to say? Have you ever felt kind of like an imposter in certain spaces or like kind of hyper-aware?
Samuel Arnold: Actually, no. I felt like everybody that was part of the project was aware of the differences between the two cultures, you know what I mean? And we just make fun of it, you know, and we just like to look at it from afar and go like, oh, you guys did that in America. We don’t here and vice versa, you know what I mean? But there was never a moment where someone will go like, oh, that’s awkward. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. It was much more fun than anything else.
The Knockturnal: That’s cool! And this is a Darren Star project. Are there other things he’s been involved in that you were a fan of before, or was this your first time like getting to know him?
Samuel Arnold: Obviously, I’ve watched a bit of Sex in the City! I watched a little bit of that, but that was my first time working with him and the first time really, really getting into his work. And I realized how much of an artist he is. He’s got a very artistic view, and I really respect and was impressed by that. Like hearing him speak about the show and his creation was very inspiring as well.
The Knockturnal: For you, was it just like a cold audition? Did you know anyone involved in the project beforehand?
Samuel Arnold: I got called because I’m based in London. I have lived in London for six years now. And I was told by my French agent to come back to Paris because we had an audition going on. So I went to Paris for the audition. It went very well. I was very proud of myself. I was like, oh, that’s nice. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to star in that show?’ And I went back home, got a callback and got myself with Darren in a room and the casting directors. And it went well again. And I was like, OK, maybe we never know what might happen. So that’s what that’s what happened was playing back and forth between Paris and London until I got a positive answer.
The Knockturnal: Awesome. And so obviously, this is on Netflix. Because we’ve been kind of stuck at home, are there any other Netflix shows that you’ve been like bingeing or just shows in general?
Samuel Arnold: Do you know what I’m watching at the moment? And everybody goes like, ‘oh really?’ I’m watching Prison Break!
The Knockturnal: Oh, wow!
Samuel Arnold: Everybody goes like, ‘what? I’m just watching Prison Break at the moment because it’s showing in the French Netflix. And I was like, well as a kid I could always only watch one episode a week because it was on TV. Yeah. And I thought you know what, I’m just going to binge-watch it. And that’s what I’m doing at the moment.
The Knockturnal: Definitely different vibe than Emily in Paris!
Samuel Arnold: Very different vibe!
The Knockturnal: And then also I wanted to ask because Emily is like an influencer, she’s got a great big following. Who are your favorite accounts to follow on Instagram? Just for inspiration and just more?
Samuel Arnold: I love to follow John Boyega. Just because I haven’t seen his account lately. I just like thats he’s a Nigerian boy. Yeah it’s cool because he’s an actor that I really like everything he does and yeah. I follow him on Instagram.
The Knockturnal: And my last question for you is looking forward to more projects, America, France, anywhere, who are some creators that you’d like to collaborate with?
Samuel Arnold: Like, I’m a big fan of pop culture. I’m a big fan of pop culture, sci-fi heroes and stuff, and I’m watching at the moment The Boys and I’m not saying that I’d like to work with them, but I definitely like to do something in that light. Right. You know what I mean? Something very edgy and fun and, you know, supernatural at the same time.
