‘Emily in Paris’ Eugenio Franceschini Says Joining the Cast as Lily Collins’ New Love Interest Was an ‘Unexpected Gift’ (Exclusive)

“I think this is something I will keep in my memory and heart forever,” Franceschini tells PEOPLE about filming “Emily in Paris”

Eugenio Franceschini tells what it was like to be in the fourth season of Emily in Paris.

In an interview with PEOPLE at the premiere of the second half of the new season in Rome, Franceschini expressed his gratitude for the hit Netflix series. He says the role came to him suddenly while he was working on other projects and now he's just enjoying it all.

“For me, this is an unexpected gift because everything happened very quickly,” he says. “When I was selected, I was filming a TV series here in Italy and so I didn't have time to realise what was happening.”

“So I threw myself into something,” he adds.

Related: Lily Collins has a Roman holiday (without Gabriel) in Emily in Paris' Trailer for Season 4, Part 2: Watch

Looking back on the season, Franceschini calls his time on the show a “great joy” and says he is excited to see how the role will evolve in the future.

“My work is in [standard of the] series and that is the most important thing,” he says.

As for the cast's bond, Franceschini – who plays Marcello, Emily's lover who plays Lily Collins' title character – says that working closely with the actress has created a friendship between the two.

“I have been working with Lily the whole time, so yes, she is [my closest friend]”, he continues.

Related: Lily Collins rides with Mystery Man on a Vespa as Emily in Paris Go to Rome for part 2 of season 4: Check out the photos!

As an Italian native who grew up in the northern region of Verona, he also considers filming the show in the capital, Rome.

“The most iconic places,” he recalls. “The Trevi Fountain at sunrise – I saw the Trevi Fountain completely empty for the first time in my life, just for us. It was a big, big feeling.”

“I think this is something I will keep in my memory and heart forever,” Franceschini concluded.

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In part 1 of Emily in Paris In season 4, Emily had to explore her feelings for the chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and it ended with a cliffhanger in which he confessed his love to her. In part 2, Emily is now in Rome – on the back seat of a Vespa with Franceschini's Marcello.

“So you've been with a Frenchman, a Brit, and now an Italian? You're actually getting your passport stamped, aren't you?” Mindy (Ashley Park) teased Emily in the trailer.

“This isn't the first time you've combined business with personal life,” Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulie), Emily's boss, later tells Emily. “You're actually pretty good at it.”

According to Netflix's official synopsis for the season finale, “The chemistry between Emily and Gabriel is undeniable as they work together toward a Michelin star. [for his restaurant]but two big secrets threaten to destroy everything they've dreamed of. As old patterns collide with new complications, Emily finds herself drawn to a possible new love… and a new city.”

Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 1 is now streaming and Part 2 will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, September 12.

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