Diego Borella, assistant director of Emily in Paris, died at the age of 47 after collapsing on set in Venice, Italy. The tragedy happened on August 22, 2025, while the crew was preparing the final scene for the Netflix show’s fifth season inside the historic Hotel Danieli.
Paramount Television Studios confirmed his death, saying, “We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family. Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Local reports said Borella collapsed around 7 p.m. Medical staff rushed in and attempted to resuscitate him, but their efforts failed. A doctor later confirmed his death and pointed to a sudden heart attack as the likely cause.
Following the incident, Netflix temporarily suspended filming, though production later resumed on August 23. Borella’s passing came just weeks before Netflix unveiled the first-look images for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to premiere on December 18, 2025.
The upcoming season stars Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, William Abadie, Lucien Laviscount, Eugenio Franceschini, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, Thalia Besson, and Paul Forman.
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Borella was a respected professional with training in Rome, London, and New York. Beyond his work in film, the director was active in the visual arts and literature. In recent years, Borella had also turned to writing poetry, fairy tales, and children’s stories. His close friend Mattia Berto remembered him as “brilliant and very talented,” adding, “His was a young interrupted life… just a great sadness.”
His death was a heavy loss for both the artistic community and the Emily in Paris family.
Where Is Diego Borella From? Details on His Parents
He was Italian and originally from Venice. In an interview, Borella once explained the story behind his name. “My mother had a Spanish taste,” the Emily in Paris crew member said when asked about his name, Diego.
When the interviewer asked if his surname carried any meaning, Borella replied, “In the centre and south of Italy, it means ‘playing bowls.’”
Besides this, any known details about his parents or family background have remained private.
Was He Ever Married? Any Wife or Kids?
At the time of his death, Diego Borella was not reported to be married, nor were there confirmed details about him having children.
On his social media, Diego had shared photos with different women over the years, but never identified anyone as his wife.
