Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.
Could Emily’s Next Adventure Be in London? Lily Collins Hopes So
Lily Collins Teases Emily in London Spin-Off as She Embraces UK Life
After indulging in Parisian croissants and Roman espressos, could Emily Cooper’s next adventure be in London? Emily in Paris star Lily Collins has expressed her enthusiasm for a potential Emily in London spin off, describing the idea as “so fun.” The actress, now 35, has been spending months in the UK preparing for her West End stage debut in the play Barcelona, all the while embracing her temporary life in London.
Bringing Emily Cooper to London
Reflecting on her character, Collins believes Emily would be enchanted by London. “She’d definitely go to Portobello Road for antiques, visit Big Ben, and even try to get into Buckingham Palace,” she shared, envisioning the antics Emily might get up to in the British capital. “She’d love to have tea with the King and try her best to get a guard to smile, though I’m not sure she’d manage it.”
The Netflix hit Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper, a spirited American marketing executive navigating her career in Paris. After three seasons in France, season four will see her in Rome, opening a new office. While Netflix has renewed the series for a fifth season, the filming location remains unannounced, leaving the door open for a London setting.
Collins’s Love for London’s Simple Charms
While Collins may be a Hollywood star, she says it’s the simple things in London that she loves the most. “I love the Tube, but even more, I adore sitting on the front of a double decker bus and just looking out the window,” she shared. “I don’t even have a destination. I just take in the sights and people.”
In between her busy performance schedule, Collins also unwinds with walks on Hampstead Heath with her husband and their dogs, a place she calls “huge and peaceful, like being in the countryside without ever leaving the city.” Her pre-show routine includes listening to dance music, with favorites like Dua Lipa and Lizzo helping her get in the right mindset for the stage.
New Challenges on the West End Stage
Collins is currently starring in Barcelona, a romantic thriller where she plays an American tourist entangled in a brief but intense romance with a Spaniard, portrayed by Money Heist star Álvaro Morte. The actors have developed unique routines for managing pre show nerves. Collins prefers high energy music to focus, while Morte loosens up by dancing behind the set as the audience arrives, something he says fuels his connection with them.
“We say in Spain, the day you go on stage without feeling nervous is the day it will be a bad show,” Morte explained. Known for his role as the mastermind Professor in Money Heist, he says he aims to “enjoy every minute of it and, once the plan is set, just have fun.”
Mixed Reviews for Barcelona
Despite their dedication, Barcelona has received a varied response from critics. The Times’s Clive Davis and City AM’s Adam Bloodworth both awarded the play two stars, suggesting that the characters lacked depth. Meanwhile, The Guardian’s Chris Wiegand found the performances “agreeable” but struggled to invest in the characters’ journey.
However, some reviews were more positive. The Telegraph’s Claire Allfree praised Collins as “one to watch,” noting that she and Morte “elevate a rather dated two-hander into something properly affecting.” The i’s Fiona Mountford offered high praise, awarding five stars and calling Collins’s performance “remarkable” and “one of the best things I’ve seen on stage all year.”
Whether Emily in London becomes a reality or not, it’s clear that Collins has found a new comfort zone in the UK, both on and off the stage. For now, fans will just have to wait to see if Emily’s next big city adventure will involve fish and chips with a view of the London Eye.
