“Emily in Paris ”Resumes Production Days After Assistant Director’s Death as Lily Collins and Eugenio Franceschini Film in Venice
- - “Emily in Paris ”Resumes Production Days After Assistant Director’s Death as Lily Collins and Eugenio Franceschini Film in Venice
Escher WalcottAugust 24, 2025 at 2:03 AM
COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID
Lily Collins shooting 'Emily in Paris' on Aug. 23 -
The fifth season of Netflix's Emily in Paris is back in production following the death of assistant director Diego Borella
According to local reports, Borella died during preparation for a final scene inside Hotel Danieli in Venice, Italy, on Thursday, Aug. 21,
Lead star Lily Collins was spotted back on set alongside her costars on Saturday, Aug. 23
Emily in Paris has resumed filming just two days after the death of the show’s assistant director.
On Saturday, Aug. 23, Lily Collins, who plays the titular character in the Netflix series, was seen returning to the set in Venice, Italy, after assistant director Diego Borella tragically collapsed and died on location two days prior.
Collins, 36, was photographed on a boat in Venice along with her costars Eugenio Franceschini, Ashley Park and Paul Forman as they continued to film the show's fifth season.
Borella, 47, died during filming of the fifth season of Emily in Paris in Venice, Italy, on Thursday, Aug. 21, Paramount Television Studios confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the ‘Emily in Paris' production family,” a studio spokesperson said. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID
Lily Collins, Ashley Park, Eugenio Franceschini, and Paul Forman shooting 'Emily in Paris' on Aug. 23
Borella reportedly collapsed on set during preparation for a final scene inside Hotel Danieli in Venice. Medical staff on set tried to revive him before he was pronounced dead at around 7:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, local news outlets La Repubblica, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera reported.
A local doctor confirmed the assistant director's death, stating that he likely died of “a sudden heart attack,” according to La Repubblica.
Borella was an accomplished director and writer from Venice and had trained in Rome, London, and New York. He also worked in the visual arts and literature, per La Repubblica.
Filming for the fifth season of Emily in Paris began in Italy on Aug. 15, with the aim to end on Monday, Aug. 25, before the fifth season hits Netflix on Dec. 18.
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Stefano Mazzola/GC Images
Lily Collins on the set of 'Emily in Paris' on Aug. 16
Borella's death came just days after Collins shared behind-the-scenes of her time on location in Venice on social media.
In an Instagram post shared on Aug. 19, the actress was snapped on a pier and posing on a boat in Venice with her Emily in Paris costar Ashley Park.
“Joy ride to and from work with the best…,” Collins wrote in the caption.
Collins had earlier posted other snaps of her taking in the Italian sights while filming on a boat in another Instagram post. “A very Venetian getaway. When work becomes play…,” she wrote in the caption.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
