EXCLUSIVE Emily In Paris actress Lily Collins is 'radiant' and 'can do it all' after becoming a mother for the first time via surrogacy, says her Netflix co-star Lucien Laviscount
The actor, 32, told MailOnline that he is 'inspired' by Lily, 36, who returned to work on the set of Emily In Paris season five last week, just three months after welcoming daughter Tove with husband Charlie McDowell.
Lucien plays charming British banker Alfie in the comedy-drama and his character is set to have a more prominent storyline in the upcoming series as he reignites his romance with American PR executive Emily.
When he first signed up for the Netflix hit in 2021, Lucien was only booked to film a few episodes until Lily, who plays the show's title character, took him under her wing.
And now he's in awe of how the new mother is balancing her work schedule including shooting in Rome while looking after her newborn, who she brought with her on set last week.
In an exclusive interview, Lucien said: 'Honestly, from day one, it was tricky because I came in during the second season and they had all already created this bond and the show did so well.
'I was only supposed to do a couple of episodes, so no one really had to be nice to me because I was like a passing ship but that's not the vibe I got, and I really put that down to Lily. She embraced me on my first day.
'She said, "you've got this, we've got your back" and I ended up sticking around.
'She's great fun, she works so hard and has so much going on off camera, she has a beautiful family now as well, alongside producing with her husband, she's a woman who can do it all.
'It's super inspiring, I don't want to compare her to Emily but I guess Emily gets the job done in the end.'
In January, Lily, who is the daughter of musician Phil Collins, expressed her 'infinite gratitude' towards the surrogate who helped her become a mother.
But after sharing an image of newborn Tove on Instagram, the actress was attacked online, with many accusing her of being part of a growing 'unethical' A-list trend.
The backlash was so severe that US film producer Charlie released a statement asking people to spend 'less time spewing hateful words' as he said no one will know the true motivations behind why the couple chose to use a surrogate.
After catching up with Lily for the first time since she became a mother during a costume fitting in Paris last week, Lucien, who has been announced as the first brand ambassador for Schweppes, said the star was glowing.
The pair's romance is set to reignite during the latest season of Emily In Paris, which is being filmed right now in Rome
He added: 'I saw her at a fitting last week, mind you, mine are pretty quick compared to Lily's but she looked radiant. We're all excited to get back shooting, we have all been waiting around for a while.'
Lucien's character Alfie, who has previously been involved in a love triangle storyline with Emily and chef Gabriel, has shared some intimate scenes with Lily.
And Lucien says ensuring the romance is believable for the audience is his biggest motivator, adding: 'I don't pay too much attention to it, it's work and there are always people around to make sure we're safe and looked after.
'For me it's about finding the truthful moments, connecting with that person, finding as much truth in it as possible and making it believable.'
The star, who first found fame on TV's Grange Hill and Waterloo Road, admits he has spent extra time in the gym working on his physique ahead of Alfie's return.
But keeping fit is very much on Lucien's agenda regardless of the role he plays, as being in his 30s means he's now prioritising looking after himself.
He said: 'Recently I have been hitting the gym a lot more... I'm not going to lie.
'It's always nice to feel good when you get back on set, so I've been in the gym, eating clean, which I do anyhow, so it's not much of a change for me.
'I have been enjoying my life and eating clean. By my age, the joy of missing out kicks in, when you make that critical decision that you're not going out and you really just breathe a sigh of relief... it's amazing.'
His dashing looks and charisma haven't gone unnoticed by Emily In Paris fans, who Lucien says regularly believe they have shared an intimate encounter, but it may just be their imagination.
'I get quite a few DMs where I have passed people in the street or at the airport and they say, "we definitely shared a moment in Pret" and I'm like, I really didn't see anyone in Pret because I had my sunglasses and hat on at the counter so they are the weird ones, where you don't know you have seen them. I can get a little bit spooked.
'But other than that, everyone is so lovely towards me and the character I have been playing.'
While Lucien is naturally cast in love stories having also played the male lead in 2024 film This Time Next Year, he aspires to step into the world of action movies.
And as speculation surrounding who will play the next James Bond mounts, with Lucien's name recently thrown into the mix, there's every possibility his dream could become a reality.
He said: 'I don't want to say too much but to grow into a role like that, the action world, would be a dream come true. It would mean everything to me.
'Come September once Emily has wrapped up, we will see. I definitely love the action/comedy side of things. I better get back to the gym and be ready...'
And on the next Bond potentially making history by being the first actor of colour to play the role, Lucien added: 'I think it would be great, and it needs to make sense with the right person, but it would be great.
'To have a person of colour play Bond, because of what it means to children growing up in this country and the world, to see themselves on such a huge platform and an iconic role, it's all the things really, in that space it would be fantastic.
'I'm sure they will make the right decision, and I am available. It's exciting to see who the next Bond will be and if it's not me, it will be something else. I'm cool and confident in what I can do.'
Today, Lucien has been announced as Schweppes' first ambassador and features in two short films to inspire more social moments with loved ones.
The partnership, which Schweppes says has brought 'modernity' and 'attitude' to the 200-year-old mixer brand, sees Lucien introduce new flavour, Tropical Soda, which he predicts will be the 'drink of the summer.'
Speaking about the collaboration, he said: 'It's such an honour. We have some good stuff coming out like the Tropical Soda, it's wicked, it's so tasty, and I love the colour of it.
'It lives by itself, but I don't mind a bit of Tropical Soda with rum, that's my drink of the summer.
'When it comes to social events, I am the ringleader, I am the one that's hosting and pulling everyone together, but I do it in such a way that I don't take any responsibility for anything.
'You'll get the message, the details and then you have to figure yourself out.'
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