Fans of Netflix’s ‘Emily in Paris’ know Marcello Muratori, portrayed by Eugenio Franceschini, is a real keeper. With his gentle demeanor, undeniable allure, and magnetic presence, viewers couldn’t ask for a better love interest for Emily Cooper, portrayed by Lily Collins, in season 4.
But while Marcello’s on-screen charm has captured the hearts of many, the actor behind the character is a different kind of star—one who is surprisingly private and down-to-earth.
In an exclusive interview with PAGEONE.ph and PAGEONE Online Network, Franceschini opens up about his rising stardom, career, and personal life, giving us a glimpse into who he truly is beyond the screen.
Eugenio Franceschini’s rise to fame wasn’t a case of luck or happenstance. It was the result of years of hard work, determination, and a deep commitment to his craft. Before he became the face of Marcello Muratori in “Emily in Paris,” Franceschini spent much of his early career on the stage, where he learned the art of acting away from the glitzy Hollywood spotlight.
Born in the Veneto region of Northern Italy on September 19, 1991, Franceschini was raised in a family of actors. He started with stage performances, having studied in the Italian national film school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, before moving into TV and film.
In 2012, he made his first film debut with the Italian romantic comedy film ‘White as Milk, Red as Blood’. His performances in shows and films such as ‘Sapore di te’ (2014) and ‘Maldamore’ (2014) earned him the Guglielmo Biraghi Award at the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Despite the ascending popularity in portraying a beloved character on a hit Netflix series, Franceschini is deeply rooted in his private life. A family man at heart, he values the simple pleasures of life and prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
“I don’t care a lot about popularity really. I prefer to live simply because I have a family, I have kids. I like to live my life in a normal way without a lot of people around me,” he shared, protective of the life he has built. For him, the importance of family far outweighs the allure of fame.
His personal life may be under wraps, but Franceschini is still deeply grateful for the love and support he receives from fans worldwide. Particularly touched by the affection of his Filipino followers, he humbly attributes the praise to his dedication to the role.
“I think this means I acted well—I did my work in the best way, so I’m happy about this,” he said. However, he remains coy about Marcello’s future with Emily, teasing, “But… I don’t know what will happen between [me and Emily]. Let’s see.”
Franceschini’s warmth and humility extend to his co-stars, especially Collins. Reflecting on their first meeting during the final audition, he praised her for being both “amazing” and “humble,” adding, “She helped me a lot during the audition even though she is a star and she was working at the moment. I have just beautiful words for her, really. She’s professional and an amazing person.”
In addition to Collins, Franceschini spoke highly of his other co-stars. He described Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, who plays Emily’s boss Sylvie Grateau, as both professional and powerful.
“Very professional but also very charismatic. In real life, she’s amazing, she’s powerful. She’s half-Italian and half-French, so she has both the elements—the beautiful elements of these nations,” he said, acknowledging Leroy-Beaulieu’s dynamic presence both on and off-screen.
He also mentioned Lucas Bravo, who plays Chef Gabriel, one of Emily’s romantic interests. While Franceschini and Bravo shared only one scene, they bonded during breaks and became friends.
“I had only one scene with him but I spoke with him a lot out of the scene, and I found him super funny—a super smart guy. I like him, really. He’s an amazing guy, very smart and he knows what he wants,” he said, recognizing Bravo’s purpose-driven nature.
As the world eagerly watches Marcello and Emily’s romance unfold, Franceschini remains just as intrigued as the fans. While he admits to not knowing what direction the storyline will take, he teases that there’s more to come: “Everything was amazing between us—everything is perfect so, I think something bad is coming up now,” he jokingly says.
For fans of the show, Franceschini’s captivating portrayal of Marcello has become one of its most anticipated plotlines. And with future seasons promising to bring more drama and romance, it’s safe to say that Marcello’s story has only just begun.
For Franceschini, the relationships he’s built with his co-stars have been one of the highlights of his experience with “Emily in Paris.” While his character, Marcello, may be surrounded by high fashion and romance, Franceschini’s real-life connections with his colleagues are built on mutual respect, admiration, and genuine friendship.
This interview is the first part of four series of interviews for PAGEONE’S #LetsAllWelcome. Stay tuned to PAGEONE Online Network’s platforms every Monday throughout January to catch more glimpses of Franceschini’s career and personal life. Only on #LetsAllWelcome.
