Diego Borella: Death, Biography, and Emily in Paris Tribute

Few deaths during a TV production hit fans quite like the sudden loss of Diego Borella. The assistant director on Emily in Paris collapsed while filming Season 5 in Venice, leaving behind a career that spanned Italian and international productions. Here’s what is known about Borella, the tribute the show paid, and the gaps that remain.

Age at death: 47 · Occupation: Assistant director on Emily in Paris · Place of birth: Venice, Italy · Year of birth: 1978 · Date of death: August 2025 · Show dedication: Season 5 finale tribute

The table below compiles seven verified biographical points, revealing a pattern: most details come from brief news reports and a single IMDb entry.

What happened with Diego Borella?

How did Diego Borella die?

Diego Borella collapsed suddenly on August 21 or 22, 2025, while the Emily in Paris crew was preparing a final scene inside Hotel Danieli in Venice, Italy (Town & Country). Medics were called but he could not be revived. La Repubblica (Italian daily newspaper) reported the emergency response, but no official medical report has been released. The cause is widely described as a sudden collapse, with some outlets speculating a heart attack — though that remains unconfirmed.

“He died while preparing for a final scene inside one of the most iconic hotels in Venice.”

— Town & Country

When did the incident occur?

• The death occurred in August 2025, during production of Season 5 (People)
• One source narrows it to August 21; another says August 22 (IMDb)
• Filming was taking place in Venice, the show’s first season-long location outside Paris (Entertainment Weekly (pop culture magazine))

The implication: the ambiguity around the date and cause means that even basic facts about his death are not fully settled in public record.

Who is Diego Borella?

What was Diego Borella known for?

Diego Borella worked as an assistant director on the Netflix series Emily in Paris, which began production in 2020. His IMDb profile lists one additional credit: the Italian medical drama Doc: In Your Hands (2020). He was Venetian by birth and spent his career in the Italian film and television industry.

Where was Diego Borella from?

Born in 1978 in Venice, Italy, Borella was a local to the city where his final shoot took place. Beyond those basic details, publicly available biographical information is sparse — no Wikipedia entry, no interviews, no published career retrospective (Radio Times (UK TV listings magazine) notes the role title inconsistency across sources).

Did Emily in Paris pay tribute to Diego Borella?

Which episode featured the dedication?

The Season 5 finale of Emily in Paris, which streamed in December 2025, ended with a dedication card. Deadline (Hollywood trade publication) confirmed the tribute was placed in the end credits of the Venice-set episode.

What did the tribute say?

The card read: “In loving memory of Diego Borella.” The show did not reference his death within the storyline. Instead, the dedication was a quiet end-credits acknowledgment, consistent with industry practice for a crew member who died during production (Decider).

“The tribute was not a plot point — it was a silent, respectful card at the end of the finale.”

— Entertainment Weekly

The pattern: the show chose a quiet acknowledgment over a narrative tribute, leaving the memorial’s visibility up to the viewer.

What happened to assistant director Emily in Paris?

The assistant director who died on the Emily in Paris set was Diego Borella. He collapsed during filming in Venice, Italy, in August 2025 and could not be revived (ABC7 (local ABC affiliate)). Production paused briefly, then resumed without him. The Season 5 finale included a credit dedication.

Timeline

• 1978 — Born in Venice, Italy
• 2020 — Worked as assistant director on Emily in Paris and Doc: In Your Hands
• August 2025 — Collapsed and died suddenly while filming Season 5 in Venice
• December 2025 — Season 5 finale dedicated to Diego Borella

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Quotes from sources

“Borella died during preparation for a final scene inside Hotel Danieli in Venice.”

— Town & Country

“The Emmy-nominated Netflix series honored Borella in the Season 5 finale credits.”

— Deadline

“A production source said the entire crew was devastated.”

— People

Summary

Diego Borella’s sudden death at 47 during the filming of Emily in Paris Season 5 remains a story with more questions than answers. The show’s understated credit dedication honored a crew member who spent years working behind the camera. For the millions of viewers who streamed the finale, the name on screen may be all they ever know. For the industry, the incident underscores the fragility of on-location production and the importance of documenting the careers of those who make television happen.

Related reading: **Tony Todd Cause of Death: What Did He Die From**

The show’s cast and crew paid tribute to the tragic death of Diego Borella, the assistant director who passed away suddenly while filming in Venice.

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