Thalia Besson: 5 Fascinating Facts About Emily In Paris' Genevieve Actress

Thalia Besson plays Genevieve, the chic yet fiery character in Netflix’s hit series, Emily in Paris. Here’s what you need to know about her.

Netflix's Emily in Paris has charmed audiences worldwide with its vibrant portrayal of life in the City of Light. The series follows Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, as she traverses French culture, fashion, and romance while working at a high-profile marketing firm.

Season 4 introduces a fresh face—Thalia Besson, who plays Genevieve, a confident and occasionally confrontational character, shaking up Emily's world. But who exactly is Thalia Besson? Here are five things to know about this rising star.

1. Thalia Besson is a Parsons Paris Graduate

Thalia Besson isn’t just a talented actress—she’s also a bright mind when it comes to design and strategy. Besson recently graduated from Parsons Paris, a branch of the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York.

She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Strategic Design and Management in 2023. Despite the school being located in Paris, all of its courses are taught in English, allowing Besson to thrive in an international environment.

2. Her Father is Director Luc Besson

Thalia’s talent may have been inherited. She’s the daughter of the renowned, yet controversial French director, Luc Besson. Famous for films like Léon: The Professional and The Fifth Element, Luc Besson has made a significant mark on international cinema.

Thalia Besson, born on August 3, 2001, had her first taste of acting in her father’s 2017 movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, where she appeared briefly as The Officer.

Her relationship with her father is something she holds close, as shown in her touching Father’s Day 2024 post on Instagram. In a heartfelt message to Luc, she expressed her love by sharing a nostalgic picture of herself as a toddler in his arms, captioning it with “Happy Papa day. I love you to the moon and the sun.”

3. Her Breakthrough Role Came in ‘Dangerous Waters’

Before joining the cast of Emily in Paris, Thalia Besson starred in the 2023 thriller Dangerous Waters. In the film, she plays the character Tabitha, embroiled in a nightmarish holiday in Bermuda that quickly turns violent.

Dangerous Waters also featured actors like Odeya Rush, Eric Dane, and Ray Liotta, marking one of Liotta’s final roles before his passing.

In a poignant Instagram post, Besson shared her gratitude for being part of such a meaningful project, while also paying tribute to Ray Liotta. “Forever grateful to be part of this deeply meaningful project... Ray, what an honor for us to work beside you and make your final project something you would be proud of. Hope we lived up to it,”  she wrote.

4. Besson is Following in Her Father’s Footsteps as a Director

Not only is Thalia Besson making waves as an actress, but she’s also stepping into the world of directing, much like her father. By 2024, she had completed two films, with her second project wrapping up production in July.

According to Besson, her latest film is a comedy, with hints of absurdism, as she cheekily revealed on Instagram: “Gonna make y’all laugh with this one tac tac!”

She also mentioned that her first directorial project is "almost ready" and she’s excited to share it with the world.

5. Upcoming Movie: Triton

Looking ahead, Thalia Besson is set to appear in Triton, a horror film about a group of women on vacation in Greece who encounter a group of men with sinister intentions. The film, directed by Janell Shirtcliff, also stars Freya Allan and Raff Law.

While the movie has yet to secure an official release date, Besson’s excitement for the project is evident. On Instagram, she expressed her love for her castmates, saying, “So happy and forever grateful. Love these people with all my heart.”

How To Stay Connected with Thalia Besson?

You can follow Thalia Besson and keep up with her projects on Instagram, where she posts regularly under the handle @thaliabesson.