Production on Emily in Paris Season 5 took a heartbreaking pause this week when assistant director Diego Borella, 47, collapsed and died while preparing for a scene inside the iconic Hotel Danieli. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on August 21 as cast and crew watched in shock. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation, but Borella was pronounced dead shortly thereafter; an on-site doctor cited a suspected heart attack.
Borella, a respected creative known for his contributions both behind the camera and in the literary world, trained across Rome, London, and New York. He was also a writer of children’s fairy tales—a testament to his imaginative spirit. Colleagues fondly recall his elegance, cultural curiosity, and quiet wit. As actor and friend Mattia Berto told E! News, “Diego had a great sense of humor, he was brilliant and very talented… a young life cut short.”
Paramount Television Studios issued a statement expressing profound sorrow, calling Borella a valued member of the Emily in Paris production family. Filming—which began August 15 and was due to wrap by August 25—was suspended immediately, with cast members stepping back from set as they grieved.
Remarkably, just two days later, production resumed. Lead actress Lily Collins and costars, including Eugenio Franceschini and Ashley Park, were photographed filming on a boat in Venice—an emotional testament to the determination of the team to continue their creative work in Borella’s memory.
The upcoming fifth season, which shifts Emily’s story from Paris into new chapters set across Rome and Venice, is scheduled to premiere on December 18. This tragic event marks a sobering moment in the show’s evolution, underscoring the human stories—and real lives—behind the glamour of production.
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