Emily in Paris 5: Will Emily choose Gabriel, Marcello, or no one at all? Theories, clues, & first-look drama

When Netflix dropped the first look of Emily in Paris Season 5, the internet collectively paused. Our girl Emily (played by Lily Collins) is back, but with a shorter, chic haircut, a new city to conquer, and a love life that looks as messy and intriguing as ever. The release date, December 18 was enough to excite fans, but the real stir came from the pictures. While we spotted familiar faces like Mindy, Luc, Julien, Sylvie, Antoine, and Alfie, two men stole the spotlight: Gabriel, Emily's long-time Parisian dilemma, and Marcello, the handsome Italian newcomer who turned heads at the end of Season 4.

The big question remains the same as it has for four seasons: Who will Emily end up with? Is it finally going to be Gabriel, the chef-next-door turned eternal "what if"? Will Marcello sweep her off her feet in Italy? Or could Emily surprise us all and decide that she's better off solo for a while? Let's break down the theories, hints from the first-look photos, and the rollercoaster of Emily's love journey so far.

How Season 4 Part 2 Left Us Hanging

The last season ended with the kind of cliffhanger only Emily in Paris can deliver. Gabriel finally got his Michelin star, but he was also left longing for Emily after her sudden move to Rome. Camille revealed that she wasn't actually pregnant, which meant Gabriel's choice to stay by her side wasn't what it seemed. Meanwhile, Emily herself decided enough was enough. After years of being treated like Gabriel's second choice, always the mistress, never the main course, she walked away.

Enter Marcello. The Italian knight in shining ski gear who helped Emily after a fall in the French Alps. By the finale, Emily had a new apartment in Rome, a new job as head of Agence Grateau Rome, and a fresh start. And just as she opened her window to that iconic Roman view, Marcello was right there with his scooter, ready to whisk her into la dolce vita.

On paper, it looked like Emily had closed the Paris chapter of her life. But Emily in Paris is never that simple.

Theory One: Team Marcello – A Fresh Start in Italy

If we go by the first-look images, Emily and Marcello are looking pretty cozy. There are at least two pictures of them together, smiling, laughing, giving off that new-romance sparkle. Noticeably, there are no pictures of Emily and Gabriel together this time, which could hint that their chemistry takes a backseat this season. Marcello represents everything Emily's never had before: a clean slate. No messy history, no betrayals, no love triangles involving her best friend. Just pure Italian romance. And since Season 5 is moving a big chunk of the story to Venice and Rome, it only makes sense that Emily might dive headfirst into an Italian romance while balancing her new job. The question is: will Marcello actually last? Or is he just another Alfie, someone Emily falls for deeply but can't completely commit to because Gabriel is still hovering in the back of her mind?

Theory Two: Team Gabriel – The Unfinished Business

If you've watched even a single season of Emily in Paris, you know this: no matter who Emily dates, her heart always circles back to Gabriel. She tried ignoring it with Alfie, but we all saw how that ended. Gabriel is the constant. He's the man she shares the deepest bond with, even if circumstances have always pushed them apart. Season 4 ended with Gabriel clearly still in love with Emily, despite Camille, despite all the miscommunications. And he even asked Mindy where exactly in Rome Emily had moved, which all but confirms he's planning to follow her there.

So here's one very possible scenario: Emily tries to keep her distance in Season 5, diving into her work and into Marcello. But at some point, Gabriel shows up in Rome. And when he does, it's only a matter of time before sparks fly again. Emily might resist, but we know her track record; she always gravitates back to him.

Theory Three: Team Nobody – Emily Chooses Herself

Now, this would be the most unexpected but 'seen that done that' twist of all. For four seasons, Emily's been juggling her career and love life, often at the expense of her own peace of mind. What if this is the season she decides to put romance on hold and focus on her independence?

The official synopsis of Season 5 says Emily will face "professional and romantic challenges" but also emerge with "renewed clarity and a readiness to embrace new possibilities." That doesn't sound like someone who is just choosing between two men. It sounds like Emily might finally realize that she doesn't need to define her happiness through her relationships. Imagine this: Emily spends the season balancing work crises, navigating Venice with Marcello, fending off Gabriel's attempts to win her back, and then ends the finale by saying… nope. Not Gabriel, not Marcello, just Emily. It would be the boldest move Darren Star's romantic comedy could pull off, and it might actually give the character a chance to grow.

What the First Look Really Tells Us

Those photos weren't chosen randomly. Emily's chic bob haircut signals a fresh phase. The Venice backdrop shows we're leaving behind the Parisian clichés for something new. And the presence of both Marcello and Gabriel in the marketing materials suggests the love triangle isn't going anywhere; it's just shifting locations.

Also, the fact that Alfie is still listed among the recurring cast? Interesting. Could he somehow make a comeback in Emily's romantic life, or is he just here for the workplace drama? Knowing this show, nothing is off the table.

Emily's Journey So Far: A Quick Recap

Let's not forget how Emily got here. Emily's journey so far has been nothing short of a romantic rollercoaster. Back in Season 1, she landed in Paris and quickly fell for Gabriel, though her growing bond with Camille complicated everything. By Season 2, she gave love a real shot with Alfie, but no matter how hard she tried, Gabriel's presence loomed over their relationship. Season 3 turned the triangle into an explosion when Camille exposed the truth at the altar, leaving Alfie heartbroken and out of the picture. In Season 4, Emily once again found herself torn between Gabriel and Alfie, but ultimately walked away from both after realizing Gabriel could never fully choose her. Just when it seemed like she'd closed that chapter, Marcello arrived, opening the door to a whole new kind of romance. At every turn, Emily has been pulled between love and loyalty, passion and practicality, and Season 5 feels like the moment where she may finally make a decision, or perhaps discover that the real choice is something entirely different. At every stage, Emily has been caught between love and loyalty, passion and practicality. Season 5 seems poised to push her to finally make a choice or to redefine what "choice" even means for her.

Other Storylines That Could Interfere

Of course, Emily's love life isn't the only thing going on. Sylvie, Luc, Julien, and the rest of Agence Grateau have their own drama, and with the Rome office opening, we can expect plenty of workplace clashes. Mindy is still navigating her Eurovision dream (and her rocky relationship). And then there's Geneviève, who caused quite the mess with her mistranslation drama in Season 4. Will she stir more trouble for Emily and Gabriel? Likely.

Whatever happens, one thing's certain: Season 5 is setting up to be the juiciest season yet. New cities, new romances, new career drama, and the same Emily chaos we've loved (and screamed at) for four seasons.

Whether you're rooting for Team Gabriel, Team Marcello, or secretly hoping for a surprise twist, December 18 can't come soon enough.