Emily in Paris dedicates season 5 finale to memory of assistant Diego Borella who died on set

The fifth season ofEmily in Paris, available on Netflix since December 18, 2025, ends with a tribute to assistant director Diego Borella. Ele passed away suddenly during the recording of Veneza, at Itália, in August of that year. The dedication appears in the credits of the final episode, set in the Italian city.

The tribute comes after an intense narrative involving professional and personal challenges faced by the protagonist Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins. The production chose to honor Borella, a member of the local team hired to film at Itália. Darren Star, creator of the series, highlighted the importance of this gesture in recent interviews.

Borella served as third assistant director at the Italian team. Sua death occurred at Hotel Danieli, at Veneza, during preparations for a final scene of the day.

Circumstances of the death of Borella

Diego Borella, 47 years old, collapsed at around 7pm local time on August 21, 2025.

Production temporarily halted recording after the incident. Paramount Television Studios issued a statement confirming the loss of a team member and expressing condolences to the family.

Career and Contributions of Diego Borella

Borella had directing training in cities such as Roma, Londres and Nova York. Ele previously worked on the Italian medical dramaDOC – Nelle your mani, in 2022, as part of the production team.

In addition to audiovisual, the professional dedicated himself to literature, publishing haiku, fairy tales and children’s stories. Amigos described him as talented and elegant in personal tributes.

• International training in direction and production.
• Experience in successful Italian series.
• Parallel work in poetry and children’s literature.
• Quick integration into the teamEmily in Parisduring filming at Itália.

Production team statements

Darren Star reported that the incident happened at the end of filming on Veneza. Ele emphasized the sense of family in the production, justifying the dedication of the episode.

The series considers all team members as an essential part of the creative process. The tribute reflects the impact of the loss on the cast and technicians involved in the Italian locations.

Star mentioned that the memory of Borella remains alive in the project. Production resumed activities after a mourning break.

Filming of the fifth season at Itália

Recording for the season began in Roma and continued to Paris and Veneza. The final episode highlights challenges like acqua alta during local fashion week.

Characters like Emily and Mindy face professional obstacles amid iconic locations. The narrative combines romantic and corporate elements typical of the series.

The choice of Veneza for the finale incorporated real scenarios, including Hotel Danieli. Filming involved local crew for cultural authenticity.

Repercussion among fans and critics

The tribute sparked discussions on social media about work behind the scenes of international productions. Espectadores highlighted the humanity behind the popular series.

The season received attention for continuing the story of Emily in new settings. Críticos noted the balance between narrative lightness and moments of reflection.

Legacy of Borella in production

Borella contributed to the scenes shot at Itália, integrating himself into the team’s dynamics. Sua participation reinforced collaboration between local and international professionals.

The dedication in the credits serves as permanent recognition of the contributions of team members. The series maintains a tradition of valuing everyone involved in the process.

Friends and colleagues remember his dedication to his craft. The tribute ensures that his presence remains associated with the Venetian episode.

Additional details about the season

The fifth season explores the life of Emily divided between Roma and Paris. Novos characters expand the romantic and professional plots.

Episodes include preparations for fashion shows in challenging contexts. The narrative advances relationships established in previous seasons.

The production of Netflix maintains high global engagement with the series. Locais Europeans remain central to the setting.