Assistant Director of Netflix’s Emily in Paris Dies During Filming in Venice

Emily In Paris' assistant director Diego Borella (pictured) has reportedly died during filming of the hit Netflix show in Venice

Diego Borella, 47, the assistant director of Netflix’s hit series Emily in Paris, has died while filming the fifth season in Venice. Borella reportedly collapsed in front of crew members at the historic Hotel Danieli on Thursday evening around 7pm while preparing for the final scenes of the upcoming season. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at 7:30pm. Reports indicate the cause of death was a suspected heart attack.

Filming for the series has been temporarily suspended following the tragedy. Borella, born in Venice in 1978, was an accomplished director and writer who trained in Rome, London, and New York. He had published fairy tales, haikus, and plays, according to his social media.

It comes after Emily In Paris announced that season five will be released by Netflix on December 18

Production for the fifth season of Emily in Paris began in Venice on August 15 and was scheduled to wrap on Monday. Netflix has announced that season five will premiere on December 18. The season is set in Rome, following Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, as she takes on a new city while navigating professional and romantic challenges. First-look images suggest a continued romantic storyline with Marcello Muratori, portrayed by Eugenio Franceschini, and filming locations include Venice’s Grand Canal, Hotel San Daniele, and the Santi Giovanni and Paolo basilica.

Friends and colleagues remembered Borella as talented and vibrant. Longtime friend Mattia Berto said, “Diego had a great sense of humor, was brilliant, and very talented. His is a young life cut short, so there aren’t many words. Just great sadness.”

Borella, 47, is said to have collapsed in front of the horrified crew while preparing to shoot the final scenes of the upcoming season

Creator Darren Star described season five as “a Tale of Two Cities. Rome and Paris. Straddling both, Emily takes love and life to the next level.” Lily Collins shared photos of herself shooting in Venice, calling it “a very Venetian getaway.”