Emily in Paris writers explain why season 4 was released in two parts

Emily in Paris writers explain why season 4 was released in two parts

As a long-time binge-watcher who has seen countless hours of entertainment pass by my eyes, I must say that the latest trend of splitting Netflix original series into multiple parts is starting to grate on my nerves. It’s not just Emily in Paris this time; it seems like every show I follow is following suit.


It’s well-known that Netflix’s practice of dividing seasons of its original series into several parts isn’t sitting well with many fans. When you’ve been eagerly anticipating the newest season of your favorite show for a year, or even longer, it can be quite frustrating to find that you can’t watch the entire season at once. Having to wait another month or more just adds to the frustration. Many viewers are growing tired of this trend.

The popular Netflix series titled “Emily in Paris” has divided its fourth season into two halves for release. This romantic comedy show premiered its first part, consisting of five episodes, on August 15. Fans will have to wait until September 12 for the second part with another five episodes. Despite being only a few weeks apart, this gap in episodes can still feel aggravating.

At the Los Angeles premiere of Emily in Paris season 4 part 1, writers and producers Joe Murphy, Grant Sloss, and Alison Brown discussed with Deadline why they chose to break season 4 into two parts. It’s interesting to know that this wasn’t a decision made during the initial planning stages for season 4.

Why Emily in Paris season 4 dropped in five-episode parts

According to Murphy, the original plan wasn’t to divide season 4 into two sections of five episodes each. The writers had already outlined the season’s storyline before the writers’ strike occurred. However, due to the writers’ strike and then the actors’ strike causing delays in production, it seems like Netflix decided to split the season for a quicker release of new episodes to viewers.

Here’s what executive producer and writer Joe Murphy told Deadline:

We had actually broken out the season before the writers’ strike, and so we didn’t have the two parts in mind at that stage, and after coming back from the strike, that’s when we got the news, ‘Oh, we’re going to be in two parts,’ and so we did actually have to adjust our story for almost like a midseason cliffhanger, which is exciting.

Joe Murphy, executive producer/writer

He additionally pointed out that, much like a skilled storyteller, it’s rewarding to craft plot developments that propel the narrative, including the significant revelation from season 4 episode 5. Yet, he acknowledged the difficulty in striking a balance between keeping viewers engaged and eager for more of part 2 without disappointing them. In my opinion, they managed to leave us yearning for the continuation of the story!

Alison Brown and Grant Sloss, our fellow writers and executive producers, found the split beneficial for the writing process. According to Brown, it compelled them to develop a significant midseason event that requires continuous progress or resolution. Sloss simply put it as, “Structure is essential.”

Among the trio, they contributed to almost every episode in Season 4 Part 1 (except one), with Sloss penning the opening episode, Brown handling episode 2, and Murphy taking charge of the crucial third and final fifth episodes. Since Season 1, they’ve been valuable contributors to our writer’s room, crafting a significant portion of the series’ episodes, and they’ll continue contributing more in Season 4 Part 2.

As a long-time fan of binge-watching TV series, I have to admit that I find split seasons a bit frustrating at times. However, after experiencing the rollercoaster of waiting for new episodes while still enjoying the benefits of fresh content more frequently, I’ve come to appreciate the decision.

See the trio’s explanation for the two-part season in the video below!

Watch Emily in Paris only on Netflix.

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2024-08-16 20:03