Tribute to Diego Borella: Emily in Paris honors assistant who died during recording in Italy

The fifth season of Netflix’s hit series, “Emily in Paris”, ended its recordings on a bittersweet note by paying posthumous tribute to one of its members. The final episode, released in December 2025, was dedicated to the memory of Diego Borella, an assistant director on the Italian team who passed away suddenly during filming on Veneza. The dedication, shown in the final credits, serves as a tribute to the professional and highlights the impact of his loss on the entire team.

The incident occurred in August 2025, while production was on location in the iconic Italian city. The decision to honor Borella came from the series creator, Darren Star, and the executive team, who sought to recognize his contribution and the bond formed during the work period. The gesture generated commotion among fans and drew attention to professionals who work behind the scenes of major international productions.

Diego Borella, 47 years old, served as third assistant director and was hired to join the local team during the production run by Sua unexpected death temporarily interrupted activities on the set and brought the cast and technical team together in a moment of mourning, reinforcing the importance of each individual in the complex process of creating a series with global reach.

The unexpected goodbye behind the scenes in Veneza

Diego Borella’s passing occurred at the end of a workday, on August 21, 2025. Segundo reports, the assistant director suffered a sudden collapse around 7pm local time at Hotel Danieli, one of the filming locations in The production team and emergency services acted promptly in an attempt to revive him, using defibrillators and other medical resources available on site.

Despite immediate efforts, it was not possible to reverse the situation, and the death was confirmed at the hotel. Out of respect for Borella and his family, the production suspended recordings for a period. Paramount Television Studios, responsible for the series, issued an official note lamenting the loss and offering condolences to the professional’s family and friends, describing what happened as a tragic event that shook everyone involved.

The response from the production and creator of the series

Darren Star, the mind behind “Emily in Paris”, has publicly expressed his grief over Borella’s death. In interviews given after the launch of the season, he highlighted that, despite his short time together, the assistant had fully integrated into the team. Star described the production environment as a “big family” and stated that the tribute in the final episode was the most appropriate way to honor his memory and contribution.

The production made sure that the dedication was a permanent landmark in the episode, ensuring that the work and presence of Borella would be immortalized in the history of the series. Essa attitude reflects a common practice in Hollywood of recognizing team members who pass away while carrying out a project, valuing the human aspect behind the entertainment. The gesture was widely supported by the cast, including the protagonist Lily Collins, and by the entire technical team who shared filming days with the assistant at Itália.

Who was Diego Borella

With a solid audiovisual career, Diego Borella was a respected professional in the Italian industry. Ele had a robust international background, with directing studies carried out in important cinematographic centers such as Roma, Londres and Nova York. Essa luggage gave him a broad and versatile vision, allowing him to move easily between different types of production.

Before joining the team of “Emily in Paris”, Borella worked on other prominent productions. One of his most notable credits was in the Italian medical series “DOC – Nelle tue mani”, in 2022, where he also worked on the production team, demonstrating his competence in mass-audience projects. Sua’s experience with local and international crews made him a natural choice for the complex logistics of filming the Netflix series in Italy.

In addition to his passion for film and television, Borella was a multifaceted artist with a deep interest in literature. Ele dedicated himself to writing, having published collections of haiku, fairy tales and several children’s stories. Amigos and colleagues described him in personal tributes as a man of great talent, elegance and sensitivity, qualities that came across both in his professional work and in his artistic creations.

His ability to connect with people and his dedication to his craft were remembered by many who worked alongside him. The tribute in “Emily in Paris” not only recognizes his technical contribution, but also celebrates the creative and kind person he was, whose legacy goes beyond the screen and lives on in the memories of those who knew him.

The fifth season’s journey through Italian cities

The fifth season of “Emily in Paris” expanded its horizons beyond the French capital, taking the protagonist and viewers to an immersion in Italian culture. Filming began in Roma, exploring the historic settings and vibrant life of the city, before moving to Veneza, where the plot of the final episode unfolds. Essa change of scenery was a crucial element in the development of the narrative, presenting new challenges and opportunities for Emily Cooper.

In Veneza, the production faced unique logistical challenges, such as the famous “acqua alta” (high tide), which coincided with the local fashion week in the fiction. Esses elements were incorporated into the plot, adding a layer of authenticity and drama to the episode’s events. The choice of iconic locations, such as Hotel Danieli, visually enriched the series and provided a stunning backdrop for the outcomes of the characters’ stories.

The meaning of the tribute in the final credits

The dedication “In memory of Diego Borella” that appears at the end of the last episode of the season is more than a simple formalism. Ela represents the recognition of the collective effort and humanity present in each stage of an audiovisual production. In an industry where the shine of stars often overshadows the work of hundreds of other professionals, gestures like this are essential to value each member of the team, from directors and actors to assistants, technicians and support staff.

This honor serves as a permanent reminder of the impact that Borella had on the project and his colleagues. Para the team that experienced the loss up close, seeing his name in the final credits is a way of closing a cycle of work marked by a painful event, but also of celebrating the life and passion he dedicated to his profession. The tribute ensures that her contribution to the universe of “Emily in Paris” will not be forgotten, remaining recorded for millions of viewers around the world.

Public reactions to the dedication

Shortly after the launch of the season, the tribute to Diego Borella quickly resonated on social media. Fãs from the series from around the world expressed their condolences and praised the production for its sensitivity in dedicating the episode. Muitos viewers highlighted that the initiative made them reflect on the immense work that happens behind the scenes and on the lives of the people who make their favorite series a reality.

Online discussions highlighted the importance of recognizing that behind every scene there is a vast and dedicated team. Diego Borella’s name became known to an audience who might otherwise never have known of his contribution, generating a wave of appreciation for the work of professionals who rarely appear on camera. Specialized critics also noted the tribute, pointing out it as a moment of profound humanity in a series known for its lightness and glamour.

The importance of local teams in global productions

Diego Borella’s involvement in “Emily in Paris” illustrates an essential practice in the modern entertainment industry: collaboration between international productions and local talent. When filming in countries like Itália, large studios rely on the knowledge and experience of professionals in the region to navigate the cultural, bureaucratic and logistical particularities of each location.

These local teams are vital for ensuring the authenticity of scenes, assisting in choosing locations, dealing with suppliers and ensuring that on-set operations run smoothly. Hiring professionals like Borella not only enriches production with local expertise, but also fosters the region’s creative economy, promoting a valuable exchange of knowledge and techniques between teams from different parts of the world.