Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu’s intimidating and effortlessly chic #EmilyInParis character, Sylvie, is definitely not always the boss you want to have, but with Leroy-Beaulieu’s finesse, the layers underneath her cool facade have made her a compelling, if somewhat inscrutable, antagonist. “It’s very empowering to play somebody like Sylvie,” she says, “because it’s a fantastic exploration of your own courage, of your own stubbornness, of your own faith and life. Playing Sylvie really made me realize that I had some aspects of my personality I didn’t know I had, and it gave me much more confidence.” Armed with a raised eyebrow of judgment that can single-handedly deflate American cheerfulness, Sylvie struts around Paris in slitted skirts, plunging necklines and sky-high heels, embodying the sophistication and blasé elegance of the ultimate Frenchwoman. She is feared and revered — but she is good at her job without losing her identity to it. Sylvie, not Emily, is the character we wish we had the audacity to be. Read Yvonne Villarreal’s profile of the star at the link in our bio. 📸: Evelyn Freja / For The Times