Thalia Besson as Geneviève in Emily in Paris season 4, part 2 surrounded by a floral backgroundEmily in Paris season 4, part 2 has viewers wondering more about the newly introduced Geneviève — and the actor who plays her, Thalia Besson. For the most part, Emily in Paris‘ cast of characters didn’t change too much in the fourth outing. Aside from Geneviève, Laurent G’s (Arnaud Binard) daughter, Emily’s new love interest, Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), was the biggest addition to the rom-com’s ensemble. Given Emily in Paris season 4, part 2’s ending, it seems like both Geneviève and Marcello will have even more significant roles in the show’s fifth season.

In the wake of a devastating breakup with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Emily (Lily Collins) tries even harder to keep her personal and professional lives separate. Although that seems to work for a little while, Marcello’s family business, the Umberto Muratori cashmere company, complicates things. With Sylvie’s encouragement, Emily winds up pitching the Agence Grateau marketing form to the Muratori family. Ultimately, Sylvie opens a satellite office in Rome and puts Emily in charge. While it remains to be seen if Geneviève will be moved to the Rome office, the NYC transplant and Emily end the season on pretty bad terms.

Who Is Thalia Besson? What Else Emily In Paris’ Genevieve Actress Has Been In

Thalia Besson Is Filmmaker Luc Besson’s Daughter

A younger Thalia Besson in a movie

For the most part, Emily in Paris is Thalia Besson’s breakout project, but the Geneviève actress has appeared in a handful of other projects. Born in France, Thalia is the daughter of acclaimed director Luc Besson, who’s known for films like SubwayThe Big Blue, and La Femme Nikita. That said, Geneviève’s ability to speak flawless French days after moving plays right into Thalia Besson’s skill set. Although she made her silver-screen debut in her father’s 2017 space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in an uncredited role, Besson only recently began her career in earnest.

The young actor’s other credits include a thriller called Dangerous Waters and Arthur, malédiction, a flick penned by her father. Thalia Besson’s upcoming projects include When I’m Ready, an end-of-the-world road-trip movie; a drama called For Elara; and Janell Shirtcliff’s horror film, Triton. Often, actors who appear in one high-profile Netflix project appear in other films and TV series on the platform. Given her stand-out performance in Emily in Paris season 4, part 2, it seems like Besson’s star is on the rise in Hollywood and, possibly, on the streaming platform as well.

Genevieve’s Role In Emily In Paris Season 4 Explained

Besson’s Character Moves From New York To Paris In Season 4, Part 2

Geneviève talking in Emily in Paris Geneviève (Thalia Besson) flirting with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) in Emily in Paris Season 4 Episode 10 Genevieve and Emily in the office in Emily in Paris Genevieve walks with Sylvie in Emily in Paris Geneviève looking serious in Emily in ParisGeneviève talking in Emily in Paris Geneviève (Thalia Besson) flirting with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) in Emily in Paris Season 4 Episode 10 Genevieve and Emily in the office in Emily in Paris
Genevieve walks with Sylvie in Emily in Paris Geneviève looking serious in Emily in Paris

In Emily in Paris season 4, part 2’s premiere episode, Laurent G’s daughter comes to visit for Christmas. Although she plans to secure a job in Paris, the recent grad crashes at Sylvie’s (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) apartment at first. Although Sylvie is nervous about connecting with Laurent’s daughter, she’s impressed by Geneviève’s ambition, composure, and ability to speak French. At first, Sylvie agrees to put in a good word for Geneviève at Vogue, but things don’t quite pan out. Feeling guilty, Sylvie hires Geneviève, making her the newest addition to Agence Grateau’s team.

Emily and Geneviève hit it off, but their friendship doesn’t really last.

Initially, Emily is excited about having another American transplant in Paris. On Geneviève’s first day, Emily takes her out to lunch and shows her the ropes around the office. Emily and Geneviève hit it off, but their friendship doesn’t really last. Geneviève accompanies Emily to a photoshoot for Gabriel’s restaurant. While there, Geneviève overhears (and translates) Gabriel’s harsh post-breakup words to Emily. Although she takes over the photoshoot, seemingly to protect Emily from feeling more hurt, Geneviève winds up hanging out with Gabriel after hours.

While Emily in Paris season 2, part 1’s ending teased a happy ending for Emily and Gabriel, part 2 really hammers home the finality of their latest breakup. When Emily and Mindy catch sight of Geneviève sharing wine with Gabriel late into the evening, Emily is completely shocked. For the most part, Geneviève is evasive, lying about her feelings for Gabriel. Unfortunately, Emily finds that she can’t escape Geneviève, who moves into Camille’s vacant apartment in her building — right across the hall from Gabriel.

Genevieve Is Emily In Paris’ First Real Villain

Genevieve Messes With Emily’s Personal & Professional Prospects

Genevieve speaks with Julien in Emily in Paris

Unlike other Emily in Paris villains who come and go, Geneviève is given quite a bit of screentime. In the past, Emily in Paris‘ villain problem was underscored by issues with the love triangle between Camille (Camille Razat), Gabriel, and Emily. The romantic rivals issue was incredibly one-note and completely under-cut Emily’s budding friendship with Camille. Although Geneviève also starts out as Emily’s friend, the character is clearly incredibly ambitious, putting her own gain over all else. Instead of talking to Emily about Gabriel, or being upfront, Geneviève secretly pursues the chef despite Emily’s discomfort.

While Emily praises Geneviève for being outspoken at work, she also finds herself frustrated by Geneviève’s willingness to speak out during meetings. Instead of running ideas by the Agence Grateau team first, Geneviève often supplies her own pitches mid-meeting with clients. That’s definitely par for the course with Agence Grateau, but it’s also clearly getting under Emily’s skin. The professional friction is only compounded by Geneviève’s desire to ingratiate herself with Gabriel. From pursuing Emily’s ex to securing a flat in Emily’s building, Geneviève is taking her dream to be “just like [Emily]” a bit too seriously.

What To Expect From Genevieve In Emily In Paris Season 5

Will Thalia Besson’s Character Follow Emily To Rome?

Geneviève answering the phone in Emily in Paris

The show doesn’t really give many clues when it comes to Geneviève’s Emily in Paris season 5 storyline. In the finale of season 4, Geneviève​​​​​​​ delivers the exciting news to Gabriel about his Michelin star. Thinking that their brief kiss at the party meant more than it did, Geneviève​​​​​​​ rushes to the restaurant to celebrate with Gabriel and kisses him again. Gabriel pulls Geneviève aside to explain that he sees her more as a friend. By the end of the episode, Gabriel is asking Mindy (Ashley Park) where, exactly, he can find Emily in Rome.

It seems like Emily in Paris season 5 won’t be relying on a love quadrilateral between Gabriel, Emily, Marcello, and Geneviève, which is probably for the best. Of course, that doesn’t mean a hurt Geneviève won’t lash out in some way. As seen in season 4, Geneviève is less of a full-blown villain and more of a self-centered agent of chaos. If Emily was ambitious to a fault, she’d probably be a lot like Geneviève​​​​​​​. That said, it would be interesting to see Geneviève follow Emily to Agence Grateau’s Rome office in Emily in Paris season 5.