Assistant Director for Netflix Show Dies on Set: Tragic Accident on Filming Location

Diego Borella, a valued assistant director for the popular Netflix series “Emily in Paris,” tragically passed away on set at the age of 47. The show was in the midst of filming its fifth season in Venice, Italy, specifically at the Hotel Danieli.

Reports from local news outlet La Repubblica state that Borella collapsed unexpectedly on set during filming and despite efforts from medics around 7 p.m. on Aug. 21, he could not be saved. It was reported that he suffered a heart attack.

Production was halted temporarily but resumed on Saturday, Aug. 23, with a possible delay in wrapping up filming by Monday, Aug. 25, due to the unexpected loss of Borella.

According to health officials in Venice, their ambulance arrived at 6:42 p.m. and attempts to resuscitate Borella were made, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased around 7:30 p.m.

Born in Italy, Borella’s career took him to Rome, London, and New York. While not very active on social media, he did share a few photos of himself on Instagram in Italy, including one outside Venice’s University of Disaster.

Just two days prior to his passing, Lily Collins, who plays Emily Cooper, the lead character in “Emily in Paris,” shared photos of her and co-star Ashley Park in Italy during filming. The series, created by Darren Star of “Sex and the City” fame, follows Emily’s adventures in Paris after she’s hired to provide an American perspective at a marketing firm.

While the show originally focused on Paris, it began to integrate Italy during Season 4, and the upcoming fifth season is set to be filmed entirely in Rome and Venice.

Fans can expect to catch the latest season of “Emily in Paris” on Netflix starting Dec. 18.