Diego Borella, an assistant director on Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” died after collapsing suddenly while filming Season 5 in Venice on Thursday. He was 47.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the ‘Emily in Paris’ production family,” a Paramount Television Studios spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
According to local Italian news outlets, Borella collapsed around 7:00 p.m. Thursday while the show was filming in Venice. The crew was preparing for a scene inside the Hotel Danieli. Medics on set tried to revive Borella, but he was pronounced dead at the scene due to a “sudden heart attack,” per a local outlet. Filming for “Emily in Paris” Season 5 was reportedly suspended after the incident and resumed on Saturday.
The first look images and premiere date for “Emily in Paris” Season 5 were released by Netflix last week as production has been underway in various parts of Europe. Filming kicked off in Rome in May, then returned to Paris in June and had been in Venice beginning in August.
Season 5 stars Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie, Lucien Laviscount, Eugenio Franceschini, Thalia Besson, Paul Forman, Arnaud Binard, Minnie Driver, Bryan Greenberg, and Michèle Laroque. Collins is a producer in addition to starring. Creator and writer Darren Star executive produces alongside Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, Andrew Fleming, Stephen Brown, Alison Brown, Robin Schiff, Grant Sloss, and Joe Murphy. The show is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions and Jax Media.