The filming of Emily in Paris took a heartbreaking turn last week after assistant director Diego Borella, 47, suddenly collapsed and died while working on set in Venice.
His tragic passing happened on Thursday evening at the luxurious Hotel Danieli, where medics rushed to the scene but were unable to save him.
Italian outlet La Repubblica later reported that a suspected heart attack was the cause of death.
Borella’s death brought production to a standstill as the cast and crew mourned the loss of a much-loved colleague.
Friends have since remembered him as a talented filmmaker and writer, with one close friend, Mattia Berto, describing him as “handsome, elegant, and brilliant,” adding that his death leaves “just great sadness.”
Filming Moves Forward in Venice
Despite the shock, production on the Netflix hit quietly resumed just two days later.
On Saturday, lead actress Lily Collins, 36, was seen back on set in Venice alongside her Italian co-star Eugenio Franceschini.
Collins, dressed in a colorful floral outfit and carrying a water flask, looked focused as she boarded a boat with crew members.
Franceschini, sporting bold orange trousers with a burgundy polo and a light suit jacket, was spotted strolling along the city’s canals before joining Collins on a gondola for a scene.
The pair were later filmed with other actors, signaling that production for season five is pressing on despite the recent tragedy.
Remembering Diego Borella
Borella was born in Venice in 1978 and built a career that spanned continents, training in Rome, London, and New York.
Outside of his directing work, he published fairy tales, haikus, and plays, showcasing his creative depth.
Friends have described him as funny, stylish, and exceptionally talented.
His sudden passing has left a painful mark not only on the crew of Emily in Paris but also within the Italian creative community he helped shape.
What Season Five Holds
Season five of Emily in Paris is set for release on December 18, with an expanded storyline that takes Emily Cooper’s adventures beyond Paris and into Rome.
This time, Emily—played by Lily Collins—is running Agence Grateau’s Rome office while juggling professional challenges and complicated romances.
According to the official synopsis, just as Emily starts to find her footing, a bold work idea backfires, causing both heartbreak and career turmoil.
Seeking stability, she embraces her French roots again, but a major secret threatens her closest relationships.
Show creator Darren Star teased that the new season is “a Tale of Two Cities—Rome and Paris,” promising bigger challenges, deeper love stories, and plenty of glamour.
Venice as a Backdrop
For now, Venice serves as the romantic stage for Emily’s journey.
Collins has already shared behind-the-scenes snaps of herself in a tomato-print dress on a water taxi, captioning it: “A very Venetian getaway. When work becomes play.”
Upcoming filming locations include the Grand Canal, the Santi Giovanni and Paolo basilica, and the Hotel San Daniele.
Fans can also expect to see Emily and her love interest Marcello Muratori (played by Franceschini) enjoying a dreamy Venetian escape before the season heads back to Rome.
A Bittersweet Production
While fans eagerly anticipate the show’s December release, the memory of Diego Borella’s sudden passing lingers over the production.
For the cast and crew, season five is not just another chapter in Emily’s European adventure—it’s a project now carrying the legacy of a friend and colleague whose life ended far too soon.
