With Emily in Paris setting off for an adventure in the equally romantic city of Rome in season four, the stage was set for a whirlwind of new experiences and, naturally, a new love interest. After all, what could be more fitting than a Roman Holiday for Emily as she navigates the charm, history, and passion of the Eternal City?
In the second half of the hit Netflix series’ fourth season, viewers are treated to a fresh twist in Emily’s ever-evolving love life. Enter Marcello, the dashing Italian heartthrob, portrayed by star Eugenio Francheschini.
Curious to learn more about the man behind the character? Ahead, we've compiled what you need to know about Eugenio Francheschini, the actor behind Marcello’s role.
Who Is Eugenio Franceschini? Meet the Italian Actor from Emily in Paris
1. Acting runs in Eugenio’s blood.
Eugenio Franceschini grew up surrounded by the arts, as a second-generation actor. His father, Gianni Franceschini was a farmer’s son who ended up as an actor, while his mother was an actress who was particularly skilled in puppets and children’s theater. Eugenio’s family even runs a theater company, Viva Opera Circus, and they frequently traveled around because of his parents. This early exposure helped shape Eugenio’s passion for acting, starting from stage performances before moving into TV and film.
2. He’s a regular in film, TV, and theater.
Although he’s recently captured international attention for his role as Marcello in Emily in Paris, Eugenio has built a solid career in Italian cinema, television, and theater. He studied in the Italian national film school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, recounting to Vanity Fair Italia that only 18 out of 800 got through auditions.
His film credits include romantic comedies like Sapore di te and acclaimed series such as Medici and Non Mi Lasciare. In 2014, he won the prestigious Guglielmo Biraghi Award for his work.
3. He’s a big Shakespeare enthusiast.
Eugenio isn’t just a fan of contemporary acting but also has a deep admiration for Shakespeare. He even has a tattoo dedicated to the Bard on his back, which quotes a line from his play, The Tempest: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”
Talking to Rolling Stone Italia, the actor revealed that he got the tattoo when he was 17, after a particularly memorable night during a Metallica concert when the island of Óbuda was flooded. Making light of the situation, guests started playing the drums, prompting people to dance in the rain. Eugenio decided to immortalize the memory by getting a tattoo the next morning. “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,” he said.
4. He and Lily Collins became friends on the set of “Emily in Paris.”
While filming Emily in Paris, Eugenio became good friends with lead actress Lily Collins. The two were often filmed together, which gave way to their budding friendship. “I worked with Lily all the time, so, yeah, she is [my closest friend],” the actor told People.
Of course, their natural chemistry has sparked interest in their characters’ developing storyline in the upcoming season.
5. He keeps a low profile on social media.
Unlike many actors of his generation, Eugenio prefers to keep a low profile online.
“I’m not very active on social media, I don’t like it very much. I’m disconnected. 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 said in 2018 during an interview, as translated by Elle. Nonetheless, you can still follow Eugenio on his Instagram page.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
