Meet Eugenio Franceschini, the New Heartthrob of Emily in Paris

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by Kailah Haddad
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Warning: This article contains spoilers for Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 2.

If you’ve been keeping up with Emily in Paris, you know the show has mastered the art of messy love triangles, stunning fashion, and endless French escapades. Just when it looked like Emily’s romantic life might finally settle down, enter Marcello Muratori, played by Italian actor Eugenio Franceschini. His character swoops into Season 4 in classic Emily in Paris fashion — on top of a snow-capped mountain, no less — and quickly stirs up the drama.

But who exactly is Eugenio Franceschini, the actor behind Emily’s latest love interest? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Netflix’s newest heartthrob.

Related: Lily Collins Dated a Jonas Brother and Now She’s Our Mother of the Month

Everything to Know About Marcello from Emily in Paris

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Who Is Eugenio Franceschini?

Eugenio Franceschini, born in September 1991, is no stranger to the limelight. Growing up in Verona, Italy, Franceschini was surrounded by the theatre world, thanks to his actor parents. His father, originally set to be a doctor, took a sharp left turn into street theatre — something Eugenio later followed him into. In an interview with Vanity Fair Italia, he credited his parents for sparking his love of performing.

“I discovered my passion for acting thanks to my father,” he said. “He gave up everything to be a street actor. Together, my parents travelled the world, and I with them.”

In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone Italia, Franceschini expanded on his nomadic childhood, revealing that he grew up between Verona and other countries, especially Spain. “I grew up following them between Verona and abroad, especially Spain, where I also attended third or fourth grade. I’m a bit of a gypsy, I’ve travelled a lot, and it was a fundamental part of my education,” he said.

Despite being well-behaved as a child, Franceschini admitted to a rebellious streak during his teenage years. “I was a good and obedient child, until I was fifteen,” he told Vanity Fair Italia in 2012. At that point, he decided to settle down in Verona for high school, where he “did everything I had never done before”.

Related: Emily’s Italian Escapade in Season 4 Part 2 Is All the Lizzie McGuire Nostalgia You Need

Eugenio Franceschini the Top Italian Film School

Though he had a brief rebellious phase, staying behind in Verona while his parents continued their travels, Franceschini eventually rejoined his father and pursued acting seriously. That path led him to Italy’s top film school, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, where his talent truly started to shine.

After moving to Rome for school, Franceschini quickly started landing roles. His breakout came in his second year of film school, and since then, he’s made a name for himself in both TV and film. His resume includes everything from the period drama Medici to crime series Non mi lasciare, and he even won an award for his work in romantic comedies like Sapore di te and Maldamore.

He’s a Shakespeare Fan

Franceschini’s acting isn’t just limited to the screen — he has a deep passion for Shakespeare, even getting a tattoo inspired by The Tempest. Recalling the moment, he said it happened after a particularly wild night at a music festival: “It wasn’t done in the best way, but that’s okay. The story behind it is beautiful, and the fact that it came out a little badly increases its meaning.”

“After the Metallica concert it started pouring, the Danube came up, half of the island of Obuda was flooded, and they turned off the generators. They started playing drums, we danced in the rain,” he recalled. The next morning, he got the tattoo, which reads, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on”.

Eugenio Franceschini Girlfriend

At 21, Eugenio Franceschini opened up about his views on relationships during a 2012 interview with Vanity Fair Italia. Reflecting on his past, he admitted, “I had one long relationship, which ended after two years. I’m not cut out for couple’s life.” He attributed this to his roots, explaining, “My father is of gypsy origin, and like him, I’m intolerant of staying in one place or situation. After a while, I need changes. In fact, I haven’t had any long relationships since.”

However, things seemed to have evolved for Franceschini over the years. By 2018, he mentioned having a girlfriend and even shared a photo of himself holding a baby in October of that year, suggesting a shift from his earlier stance.

He’s Not a Fan of Social Media

For someone quickly becoming a Netflix heartthrob, Franceschini is surprisingly low-key. Unlike many of his peers, he’s not big on social media. While fans can follow him on Instagram, don’t expect daily updates. The actor admits to being reluctant about the digital world. He’s stated in past interviews that he doesn’t even own a smartphone and prefers to stay offline.

“I’m not very active on social media, I don’t like it very much. I’m disconnected, he told L’Officiel Italia. “I don’t like living connected, but I have to do it for work. I recently opened my IG profile; I know it’s part of the ‘game,’ and I’m getting the hang of it.” He added at that point, he did not have a smartphone, saying, “I am not against digital evolution, I understand how useful it is, but it must not invade personal, public spaces.”

In an interview later that year, Franceschini admitted that his move into the online world was actually thanks to his girlfriend and his management team.

“They are trying to get me closer to this world, but the photos I post are always taken by someone,” he added.

And true to his word, his Instagram is pretty low-key, giving fans just a small glimpse into his personal life.

Eugenio Franceschini’s Friendship With Lily Collins

Landing the role of Marcello on Emily in Paris happened fast for Franceschini. He was already in the middle of filming a series in Italy when the opportunity came up. Before he knew it, he was on set in Paris. He called the experience an “unexpected gift” and a whirlwind. And it wasn’t just the role that was a surprise—he also formed a fast friendship with co-star Lily Collins. “I worked with Lily all the time,” he told PEOPLE. “She is my closest friend on set.”

As fans wait to see what happens next with Emily and Marcello, one thing’s for sure: Eugenio Franceschini is one to watch. With his Italian charm and versatile talent, it’s no wonder he’s stealing hearts — both on and off the screen.

So, could Marcello be the one to finally give Emily her happily ever after? Stay tuned for Season 5!

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