Netflix’s Hit Series ‘Emily in Paris’ Filming Halted After On-Set Death

Filming for Netflix’s Emily in Paris has been paused following a tragic on-set death in Venice. Diego Borella, a 47-year-old assistant director, collapsed while preparing to shoot the final scene of the show’s fifth season at the historic Hotel Danieli, according to La Repubblica. Medics arrived quickly, but were unable to save him.

Borella was a highly respected professional from Venice who trained in Rome, London, and New York. He was also a writer, known for publishing fairy tales and children’s stories. His sudden passing has left colleagues and fans mourning.

The fifth season of Emily in Paris had been scheduled to finish filming between August 15 and August 25. The series will now pause production while the team processes this loss.

This season, set in Rome, follows Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, as she works at Agence Grateau. Scenes filmed in May included Collins riding a scooter and visiting the Fendi store in Rome.

The show first premiered on Netflix on October 2, 2020. It received mixed reviews in the United States and drew criticism in France for negative stereotyping of Parisians and French culture.

Despite this, Netflix renewed Emily in Paris for multiple seasons. The second season premiered on December 22, 2021, the third on December 21, 2022, and the fourth in two parts, with the first arriving on August 15, 2024, and the second on September 12, 2024. The fifth season is now slated to premiere on December 18, 2025.

Emily in Paris tells the story of Emily Cooper, an American from Chicago with a master’s degree in communications, who moves to Paris for a new job. She is tasked with bringing an American perspective and social media presence to a French marketing firm, navigating cultural clashes, friendships, and romance along the way.

The team at Netflix has not yet released a statement regarding Borella’s death or how long production will be paused. Fans of the show have expressed their condolences online, highlighting Borella’s contributions to the series and his broader creative work.

“He was an incredible talent and a joy to work with,” said a source familiar with the production. “This is a devastating loss for everyone on set and for the entire Emily in Paris family.”

The series has become known for its colorful depiction of Parisian and European life, despite the controversies, and Borella’s passing marks a sad chapter in its production history.

Filming will resume once the crew has had time to mourn, and the show’s premiere remains scheduled for December 18, 2025, according to current reports.

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