If you’re anything like the millions of people who spent the last few years yelling at their TV screens because Emily Cooper can’t decide between a French chef and a British banker, you know Lucien Laviscount. You know him as Alfie. The guy with the sharp suits, the "I’m too cool for Paris" attitude, and that smile that basically carries half the plot of Emily in Paris.
But honestly? If you think his career started when he stepped onto a Netflix set, you’ve missed a whole lot of British television history.
Laviscount didn't just appear out of thin air. He’s been grinding since he was ten years old. Most people don't realize he was actually scouted while shopping with his mom in Manchester. He ended up in an ad for Marks & Spencer with David Beckham. Imagine being ten and having Becks tell you that you’re funny and should be an actor. That’s a hell of a way to start a resume.
The British TV Era: From the Classroom to the Cobbles
Before he was a global heartthrob, Lucien was a staple of UK "after-school" TV. It’s kinda wild to look back at his early roles compared to the high-fashion world he lives in now.
In 2007, he landed a spot on Grange Hill. For Americans, think of it as the British Degrassi. He played Jake Briggs, and it was the first time people really noticed he had "it." But the real UK cred came from Coronation Street. If you aren't from the UK, you might not get how big Corrie is. It’s been running since the 60s. Laviscount played Ben Richardson, a religious swimmer who dated Sophie Webster. It was a massive deal at the time, especially for a young actor trying to prove he could handle soap opera drama.
Then came Waterloo Road. This is where he really settled in. He played Jonah Kirby, a student who—in classic teen drama fashion—ended up in a pretty scandalous storyline involving a teacher. It was messy. It was dramatic. It was exactly what he needed to transition from "child actor" to "guy we should keep an eye on."
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That Weird Reality TV Detour
Most actors try to bury their reality TV past. Not Lucien. In 2011, he went on Celebrity Big Brother. He was 19. He finished fifth. It was a bit of a chaotic era—there were headlines about him and Kerry Katona—but it kept him in the public eye when a lot of teen stars usually fade away.
The American Break: Horrors and Heists
Breaking into Hollywood is hard. Breaking into Hollywood after being on a UK soap is arguably harder. You've gotta shed the "soap star" label.
He did it by leaning into genre stuff. His first big US splash was Scream Queens. Ryan Murphy has a weird knack for picking future stars, and casting Lucien as Earl Grey (yes, that was the character's name) was a stroke of genius. He was charming, slightly suspicious, and fit perfectly into that campy horror world.
Shortly after, he took the lead in the TV version of Snatch. He played Billy Ayres, a boxer. If you haven't seen it, it’s actually a fun, fast-paced watch that let him show off a bit more grit than his previous roles. He followed that up with Katy Keene, the Riverdale spin-off. He played Alexander Cabot, and while the show didn't last long, it solidified his place as a go-to guy for "attractive, sophisticated love interest."
The Alfie Effect and the Emily in Paris Surge
Let’s be real: Emily in Paris changed everything.
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When he joined in Season 2 as Alfie, he was only supposed to be there for two episodes. Two. But the chemistry with Lily Collins was so obvious that the writers basically had no choice but to keep him.
Alfie was the perfect foil to the show’s whimsical, "everything is magical" vibe. He hated Paris. He didn't want to learn the language. He just wanted to do his job at the bank and go to the pub. That groundedness made him a fan favorite instantly. By Season 4 and 5, he wasn't just a guest; he was the primary reason half the audience stayed tuned in.
But what most people get wrong is thinking he’s just "the guy from Emily."
Recent Moves and the 2026 Landscape
As of 2026, Lucien's filmography is looking way more diverse. He’s clearly trying to move away from being "just" the romantic lead.
- People We Meet on Vacation (2026): This is a huge one. It’s the Netflix adaptation of the Emily Henry novel. He plays Trey, and while the focus is on the leads Poppy and Alex, Lucien’s presence in these big-budget romance adaptations shows he’s currently the king of the genre.
- Safe House (2025): He took a sharp turn into the thriller world with this one. It’s a lot darker than anything he did in his early 20s.
- This Time Next Year (2024): Another rom-com, but a more traditional British one. It’s based on Sophie Cousens' book. He plays Nick, and it’s very "classic leading man."
There was even that whole internet meltdown when he appeared in Shakira’s Puntería music video. People were convinced they were dating. They weren't, but it proved one thing: Lucien Laviscount is a certified "moment" in pop culture right now.
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The Bond Rumors
We can’t talk about his career without mentioning the 007 of it all. For the last couple of years, his name has been tossed around in every "Who is the next James Bond?" conversation. Is he actually going to do it? Who knows. But the fact that he’s even in the conversation shows how far he’s come from Grange Hill.
Beyond the Screen: The Wealthy Beggar
If you're looking for him in real life, you're more likely to find him in a cocktail bar than on a red carpet. He actually co-owns a spot in London called The Wealthy Beggar. It’s a "five-star dive bar" in Kensal Rise. It’s a bit of a passion project for him. He’s also big into the fashion world, usually sitting front row at Louis Vuitton or Dior shows. He was even named GQ’s Most Stylish Man in 2023.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to actually see the range this guy has, don't just re-watch Emily in Paris for the fifth time.
- Watch "Snatch" (The Series): It's the best way to see him doing something high-energy and slightly more "tough" than his usual roles.
- Find "Waterloo Road" (Season 6): If you can track down the old episodes, it's a fascinating look at him as a teenager figuring out his craft.
- Check out "Last Sentinel" (2023): It’s a sci-fi thriller. It’s not a perfect movie, but it shows him in a very different, bleak environment that proves he can do more than just look good in a suit.
Lucien Laviscount has spent twenty years building this career. He’s survived the "child actor" curse, the "reality TV" stigma, and the "soap opera" label. Whether he becomes the next Bond or just stays as our favorite London banker, he’s definitely not going anywhere.