‘Emily in Paris’ Filming Briefly Derailed After Sudden Death on Set

The Netflix television series Emily in Paris suffered a tragedy while filming a scene at a hotel in Venice, Italy.

The news was announced on Aug. 22 by the Italian-language newspaper, La Repubblica.

Around 7 p.m., while getting ready to film a “final take” on a scene, the assistant director, Diego Borella “died of illness,” the site reported, adding that the sudden death occurred “inside the historic Hotel Danieli” in Venice.

Although the cause of death was not formally confirmed, La Repubblica reported that Borella likely died of a heart attack.

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Medical professionals attempted to revive Borella but were unsuccessful. The newspaper described Borella, 47, as a “well-regarded Venetian professional.”

He was involved in creating poetry, literature, and film, the site reported, adding that filming of the fifth season of Emily in Paris “has been suspended for now.”

However, People reported that filming resumed on Aug. 23.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” a spokesperson from Paramount Television Studios, which produces the show, told BBC.

“Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the studio continued in its statement to BBC.

According to the BBC, Borella “died after collapsing in front of colleagues as they were preparing to film a scene.”

Emily in Paris stars Lily Collins as a marketing employee named Emily who arrives in the French city from America and faces immediate condescension from the Parisians at the marketing agency where she works before slowly winning them over.

In season four, the show switched countries, focusing on Emily’s move to Italy to open up a marketing office there.

According to BBC, season five is scheduled to be available in late 2025. It’s not clear how the brief suspension will affect that timetable, if at all.