Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 24, 2025 · Entertainment

Malcolm McDowell on 'Emily in Paris': Not for Him, But Lily Collins Is Still a Star!

Hollywood veteran Malcolm McDowell confessed he's never tuned into his daughter-in-law's hit Netflix series Emily In Paris; seen in 2019

The McDowell Family's Love Affair with Lily Collins - A Star is Born!

In a candid interview with The Scholarly Note, Hollywood veteran Malcolm McDowell confessed that he's never been a fan of his daughter-in-law Lily Collins's hit Netflix series "Emily in Paris". However, this admission comes as no surprise to fans who know that the 82-year-old actor has always been a proud and devoted father. What's truly remarkable is his unwavering admiration for Lily, 36, whose on-screen presence has captivated audiences worldwide.

Malcolm, known for his iconic roles in "A Clockwork Orange" and "O Lucky Man!", revealed to The Scholarly Note that he simply doesn't connect with the show's plot. But what he lacks in interest in the series, he more than makes up for in praise for Lily's incredible talent. When asked about her acting prowess, Malcolm gushed: "She has such a beautiful quality... it's a sort of charisma." This isn't the first time he's heaped accolades on his daughter-in-law; last year, he compared her screen presence to none other than Hollywood's ultimate style icon, Audrey Hepburn.

The A Clockwork Orange star, 82, revealed he has no interest in watching the hit Netflix series starring Lily Collins, despite her global success in the role (pictured in June 2024)

The couple, who tied the knot in 2021, have clearly captured Malcolm's heart. In fact, he credits Lily with boosting Paris tourism thanks to "Emily in Paris". According to him, the series has been a game-changer for the City of Love: "I'm sure (it) has gone up so much from people in the United States watching and going, 'Yeah, let's go to Paris'."

But what sets Lily apart, aside from her undeniable talent, is her kindness and down-to-earth nature. Malcolm raved about her family dynamic, saying: "She's what you see is what you get... She's delightful." He also praised their daughter, Tove, who turned seven months old earlier this month: "They're absolutely gorgeous."

The McDowells are a tight-knit family, but with the couple living in Europe while Malcolm resides in the US, they don't get to spend as much time together as they'd like. However, when they do meet up, it's always a joyous occasion for the proud grandfather: "I love being around them and just watching the antics that go on... It's staggering," he gushed.

'To be honest with you, it's not my kind of thing, and Lily knows that,' he told People. 'But I'm the biggest fan of my daughter-in-law. I think she's absolutely one of the great actresses'

It's clear that Malcolm has fallen deeply in love with his daughter-in-law, both on-screen and off. He's a true fan of her work and is quick to defend her against any criticism. When asked about their relationship, he said: "They're wonderful people. I don't see enough of them... They live in Europe a lot of the time, so I don't really see them that much, but when I see them, it's always great to just hang."

Lily Collins, who comes from a long line of talented individuals (her father is music icon Phil Collins), has certainly made her mark on the entertainment industry. With "Emily in Paris" breaking records and captivating audiences worldwide, it's no surprise that she's become a household name.

Malcolm McDowell may not be a fan of "Emily in Paris", but he's undoubtedly a proud papa to Lily and Charlie, who've brought immense joy into his life. As he shared with The Scholarly Note: "I'm just grateful for their presence in my life... They're the best thing that's ever happened to me."