Emily In Paris assistant director Diego Borella dies during season five filming in Venice
Venice — Tragedy struck the set of Netflix’s hit series Emily In Paris after assistant director Diego Borella died during the filming of its fifth season in Italy.
The 47-year-old filmmaker reportedly collapsed on Thursday evening while preparing to shoot final scenes at Venice’s historic Hotel Danieli. According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, medics arrived quickly but were unable to revive him. Borella is believed to have suffered a fatal heart attack.
Following the incident, production of the show has been temporarily halted.
Borella, born in Venice in 1978, was an accomplished director and writer. His career spanned Rome, London and New York, and he was also known for publishing works including fairy tales, haikus and plays.
Paying tribute, longtime friend Mattia Berto described him as “handsome, elegant, brilliant, and very talented,” adding that his death was a “young life cut short” that left friends devastated.
The tragic news comes shortly after Netflix confirmed that season five of Emily In Paris will be released on December 18, 2025. Filming for the new season began in Venice on August 15 and was scheduled to wrap next week.
This season takes Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, from Paris to Rome as she faces new professional and romantic challenges. Creator Darren Star has called it “a Tale of Two Cities — Rome and Paris,” teasing dramatic turns for the much-loved character.
Netflix has yet to issue an official statement, but Borella’s passing has cast a shadow over one of its most anticipated releases of the year.