Julien, played by Samuel Arnold, is a lively and fashionable worker at Savoir in Emily in Paris. Known for his striking style and strong personality, Julien initially doesn’t get along with Emily Cooper, the new American employee. However, they eventually become good friends. Julien loves the fashion industry and has looked up to designers like Pierre Cadault since he was young. During his time at Savoir, he deals with office politics, manages important clients, and eventually makes a major career change.

Trivia/Facts

• Julien is a fashionable employee at Savoir, who works closely with Sylvie Grateau. He initially clashes with Emily Cooper, a new American employee, but they eventually become friends. Julien likes to gossip about office matters and keeps Emily informed about the latest happenings. He is known for his creative ideas and strong sense of style.
• Julien grew up admiring famous couture designers, especially Pierre Cadault. He used to steal Vogue magazines from his mother’s salon just to read about Pierre’s glamorous life. His passion for fashion inspired him to become a confident and stylish person. He later joined Savoir, working in an unclear role but often handling important accounts with Sylvie.

• When Emily first arrives at Savoir, Julien is not impressed with her approach. He even tries to avoid her and makes fun of her by calling her “La Plouc,” pretending it’s a compliment. However, when Emily stands up to him using a translation app, Julien starts to respect her. This leads to an unusual but friendly relationship, with Julien giving her advice about office politics.
• Julien is excited to meet Pierre Cadault but is shocked when Pierre calls Emily “ringarde” (basic). However, when Pierre agrees to work with Savoir, Julien is relieved. He supports Emily in handling Pierre’s Fashion Week show and attends the parties celebrating Pierre’s success. Despite his initial dislike for Emily, Julien helps her in crucial moments.
• Julien becomes frustrated when Emily starts getting more attention for her ideas. During a meeting with a client, Julien feels overshadowed by Emily and finally expresses his feelings. He reveals that other companies are interested in hiring him, which makes him reconsider his role at Savoir. This marks the beginning of a major career change for Julien.
• In another instance, Julien’s campaign for Ami Paris gets affected by Emily’s personal issues. Her breakup with Alfie disrupts Julien’s plans, as the couple was supposed to be part of his campaign. Julien tries to manage the situation, but it adds to his growing frustration. Eventually, he quits Savoir and accepts a job offer from JVMA, moving on to a new chapter in his career.

Is Julien in Emily in Paris is Gay?

Yes, Julien from Emily in Paris is gay. In Netflix’s Emily in Paris Season 4, Julien’s sexuality gains attention in one episode. During the holiday season, Julien brings his “Christmas boyfriend,” Dominique, to Mindy Chan’s party. This causes Étienne to become jealous of Julien. In previous seasons, there have been hints about Julien’s sexuality, which isn’t surprising since the show includes several LGBTQ+ characters like Camille and her ex-girlfriend, Sofia. Julien’s sexual orientation has also sparked some debates.

Julien being gay is no secret. In Season 2, he shows interest in Gerhard, the agent of a photographer working for Pierre Cadault, but their connection doesn’t turn into a long-term relationship. Julien also has feelings for Benoît, a guitarist in Étienne and Mindy’s band, but is disappointed when Benoît confesses his love for Mindy instead. Since then, Julien has focused on short-term relationships, as shown by his romance with Dominique.

Some viewers have discussed whether Julien fits the “gay best friend” stereotype, similar to characters like Christian from Clueless, George from My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Nigel from The Devil Wears Prada. However, Samuel Arnold, who plays Julien, disagrees. He doesn’t see Julien as just a stereotype.

In an interview with Glamour, Arnold explained that he approached Julien as a full character, not just focusing on his sexual orientation. “You can’t play ‘gay.’ That’s just who Julien is. If he were straight, he would still be the same glamorous and fiery person,” Arnold said. He also doesn’t think it’s a problem that Julien hasn’t had a long-term relationship on the show.

Julien’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Emily Cooper: Julien initially dislikes Emily and finds her methods frustrating. He mocks her with the nickname “La Plouc,” but their relationship evolves after Emily stands up to him. They develop an odd but genuine friendship, with Julien eventually helping Emily navigate office politics and personal challenges.
• Sylvie Grateau: Julien works closely with Sylvie on various accounts at Savoir. They have a professional relationship, with Julien often supporting Sylvie’s decisions and sharing in office gossip. Sylvie’s reaction to Julien’s frustrations about his role and his eventual decision to leave Savoir affects their dynamic, leading to tension between them.
• Pierre Cadault: Julien idolizes Pierre Cadault, having grown up admiring his work. His excitement about meeting Pierre turns to horror when Pierre criticizes Emily. Despite this, Julien supports Pierre’s collaboration with Savoir and celebrates his success, showing his loyalty to both Pierre and the agency.
• Brooklyn Clarke: Julien has little involvement with Brooklyn Clarke, the American actress Emily is tasked with managing. He offers minimal help but remains supportive of Emily’s efforts to handle the situation. His main focus is on his own career and the complications caused by Emily’s personal life.
• Georges: Julien tries to keep Georges from suspecting any issues related to the Ami Paris campaign. He works hard to manage the campaign’s problems caused by Emily’s personal drama. Julien’s actions show his commitment to maintaining his professional reputation despite the challenges.
• Turner & Ascot: Julien’s frustration peaks when Emily takes credit for one of his ideas during a meeting with Turner & Ascot. This incident leads Julien to express his dissatisfaction and reveal that he is being pursued by other companies. His conflict with Emily and the client highlights his struggle for recognition and respect.