The creator behind one of Netflix’s biggest global hits has deep roots right here in Montgomery County. Season five of Emily in Paris debuted on December 18 and has already cemented itself as one of Netflix’s top shows. The series was created by Darren Star, who grew up in Montgomery County before going on to become one of the most influential television creators of his generation.
Star’s family first lived in Bethesda, where he attended Wyngate Elementary School. When he was 13, they moved to Potomac, an area he has referenced in interviews over the years, including memories of a horse trail in his backyard where he would regularly go on hikes. He later attended Cabin John Middle School and graduated from Winston Churchill High School in 1979.
After high school, Star headed west for college, attending UCLA in Los Angeles. Following graduation, his career quickly took off, leading to the creation of some of television’s most iconic series, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Sex and the City.
In a fun bit of local trivia, Beverly Hills, 90210 was originally envisioned with a very different name and setting. Because of Star’s upbringing in Bethesda and Potomac, the show was initially going to be called Potomac 20854 and focus on teenagers growing up in Montgomery County before the concept ultimately shifted to California.
Today, Star’s latest success with Emily in Paris continues to attract massive global audiences, adding yet another hit to a career that began in MoCo classrooms and neighborhoods. From Potomac horse trails to Parisian fashion runways, his journey is a reminder that some of the world’s biggest creative forces got their start right here in Montgomery County.
