Diego Borella, an assistant director on the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris, has died while filming in Venice.
The 47-year-old reportedly collapsed in front of colleagues on Thursday evening as preparations were underway for the final scene of the show’s fifth season. Medics rushed to the Hotel Danieli, where production was taking place, at around 7pm, but he could not be saved, according to Italian daily La Repubblica.
Borella, a respected Venetian professional, had trained in Rome, London and New York. Alongside his work in film and television, he was also a writer, publishing fairy tales and children’s stories.
Production of Emily in Paris has been halted following his death. Filming for the season was scheduled to run from August 15 to August 25, with the shoot expected to wrap up in the coming days.
The new season, set to premiere on December 18, sees Lily Collins return as Emily Cooper, now working at Agence Grateau in Rome. Earlier this year, Collins was seen filming scenes in the Italian capital, including at the Fendi store, and riding a scooter through the streets.
The fourth season ended with Emily’s romance with Italian character Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini, while this season marked the official expansion of the series into Italy.
In April, French actress Camille Razat, who plays Emily’s friend and rival Camille, announced she was leaving the series, sharing a farewell post with fans on Instagram. Netflix has not yet issued a statement on Borella’s passing.
