Warning: Contains minor spoilers.
New year, new opportunities, new season, new problems! And in Emily Cooper’s case, everything is not trés bien because she’s torn between two bosses. Madeline Wheeler is a water bottle-wielding momager who sweats confidence while rocking chunky jewelry, bold prints, and larger-than-life ruffles. And then there’s Sylvie Grateau, an effortlessly chic and terrifying figure wrapped in a sleek silhouette who saunters about like she’s posing for a fashion spread.
Emily in Paris Season 3 opens with our main messy girl attempting to two-time at the workplace by pulling double duty for both bosses. The inevitable happens when she’s caught in the act, escalating into an all-out war between her mentors filled with comical schemes, ambush meetings, and a surprise pigeon attack. But since both Madeline and Sylvie must keep it professional, they trade barbs behind forced smiles.
With this dynamic in mind, it was a treat to see Kate Walsh (Madeline Wheeler) and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau) as the complete opposite, giggling together like BFFs during Cosmo’s special roundtable interview. The pair talk about their characters, dealing with office drama, and cultural quirks while praising each other’s answers so keep reading for more!
1. Sylvie and Madeline greatly differ in their leadership styles, especially with how they mentor/deal with Emily and her “main character energy.”
Philippine: Sylvie’s probably much more authoritarian than Madeline. In a way, more French, you know? We have this very authoritarian way [that can be] horribly snobbish. Sylvie was just teaching Emily to have the same kind of eyes [and show Emily things from her own perspective]. “Look at what I’m seeing. Look at the way I look at things, please! Don’t be yourself. Be me!” *Laughs*
[However in Season 3, Sylvie is] kind of understanding the difference [of how they approach things] and what Emily brings—that she’s an asset that Sylvie needs to have on her side. It’s about being complementary [to each other].
Kate: Yeah, I feel like we’ve seen Emily really evolve, too! Particularly in season 3, you see her become a little more French both in her style and level of sophistication. Whereas Madeline, I think she’s one of those bosses [who just] tells you everything that’s going on in her mind. She’s a spiller. She’ll train you and believe in you but she’s also gonna tell you about her personal life. [She will] dump on you and then be, like, “Okay, so get this done!”
She just overshares but doesn’t think about it. She’s one of those people that would get completely undressed in front of you and go to the toilet and still be expecting you to take notes. You know what I mean? (Laughs)
Philippine: Yeah, totally! Oh, we need to do [the bathroom scene] in Season 4!
2. Kate had a previous run-in with an inappropriate oversharer IRL!
Kate: I just moved to New York and there was this girl that I didn’t know very well. [We were talking at] her house and she just goes to the toilet and I’m just really respectfully staying [far away from her] and she was like, “Come here, come on!” And I'm like, “Haaah…” *Proceeds to make panic noises*
Philippine: Oh my god!
Kate: Trauma!
Philippine: That’s a lot.
3. On the differences between American and French work culture.
Kate: [For] Americans, it’s like, “We’ll just keep working harder and faster. What else can we do?” It’s a little more quantity-versus-quality, you know? Both in real life and how they run sets [when shooting a series]. One of the things that I love about shooting this show—other than how well it’s written, the fashion, the cast, the location—is the French culture.
This is my perception, obviously, but there’s a sophistication. It’s calm and relaxed to an extent but there’s also a real perfectionism and incredible artisanship and expertise. It’s quieter and it’s not pushed. Also, just the culture! France! [It may sound] like a cliche they wrote in the show but it’s true. No one’s gonna stand [around] and eat their lunch.
Philippine: We sit down.
Kate: Yeah! No one’s gonna carry a water bottle around with them like a psycho, you know? *laughs*
Philippine: Something that shocks us French [about American work culture] is the way Americans sell themselves all the time! We kinda call it “bragging.”
Kate: Yeah!
Philippine: Stop bragging! *Laughs* You know, it’s so normal for Americans to say “I did this” and “I know how to do this, and this, and this, and this.” And we never do that! We’re gonna show you something but we’re not gonna show it all! We kinda expect you to be surprised by how good we are.
Kate: You’re cooler!
Philippine: Yeah, kinda cooler but there’s this “conquest” thing that you guys have that is also very nice. [Americans have] a lot of courage, a lot of energy.
4. Kate and Philippine share how to handle an emotional breakdown at work.
Kate: I would say that Madeline is not very together! *Laughs* It’s like you’re [Sylvie] a little more elegant than me.
Philippine: But look at the scheme [that I planned] to get you out! [Emily in Paris Season 3, Episode 3]
Kate: That was my favorite bit! [And I] was to be able to watch that whole storyline. It was so good!
Kate: [To deal with a breakdown at the office,] make an excuse to go to the toilet. Go, “Excuse me, one moment, I’ll be back,” then take a couple of deep breaths. It’s the worst thing when you’re feeling stressed and you need to cry. You just have to cry, let go, and sit in the bathroom. I think it’s worse when you try to not feel it and then it takes twice as long to recover.
Philippine: Just let it out.
Kate: Just let it out! Remove yourself [from the situation].
Philippine: And try not to take things personally.
5. Sylvie and Madeline may be low-key struggling this season but at least they’re struggling in style thanks to the fashion fever dream that is Emily in Paris’ wardrobe.
Philippine: I was kinda in love with every outfit because they’re so right for [each] character. Marylin [Fitoussi] is an incredible costume designer! There’s a dress that Lily Collins wears at a party [Emily in Paris Season 3, Episode 8]. It’s the opening of the Pierre Cadault store and she wears this incredible gray-and-black [outfit]. That is one fantastic dress!
Kate: I basically covet everything that [Sylvie] wears! I love it! One of my great pleasures is watching what you’re wearing in the show, Philippine. Marylin, as Philippine said, is an incredible designer! Personally, I just love everything that Madeline gets into because it’s so her! It’s a character and it’s just ridiculous and kind of over the top but fun. It really helps me find out [more about my character]. The great thing about costumes is that they help the character come to life!
6. That time—spoiler alert—Sylvie and Madeline wore the same dress and how the actresses behind these fictional bosses would deal with their own twinning situation.
Kate: I did a launch for a friend who [wrote] this beautiful children’s book. I was wearing this gorgeous little linen dress and there was someone wearing the exact [same thing] and she did look better! *Laughs*
Philippine: Oooh! I think that I would ignore the other person and it’s like, “She does not exist.” *Laughs*
Kate: Just deny, deny, deny!
7. The ultimate mentor for Kate and Philippine is not an actual person. So, who is it?
Philippine: I think it’s time. The mentor is time. It’s called years.
Kate: That’s great! Yeah.
Philippine: The mentor is time. It’s aging and it’s great!
Kate: That’s a great answer! I was trying to think of a specific boss or person but no, I think it is time and experience. There’s no one person for me. More of experience, experience, experience, which is time and that builds that confidence.
If you were Emily, which boss would you work for? The friendly boss who supported her all these years and prepped her for a promotion, or the scary boss who could elevate her skills and unlock her potential? Watch Emily in Paris Season 3 on Netflix and decide for yourself.
