Emily in Paris season 5 dedication explained: who is Diego Borella?

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Borella's dedication appears at the end of episode 10

Emily opens the doors to her new office
Filming for Emily in Paris season 5 was split between Paris, Rome and Venice. (Image credit: Netflix)
  • Diego Borella, an assistant director of Emily in Paris, died at the age of 47 on August 22, 2025
  • According to Italian news outlet la Repubblica, he collapsed during filming of the show's fifth season at the Hotel Danieli in Venice
  • Netflix suspended filming of what we now know to be season 5 episode 10

When you think of Emily in Paris, you think of a Netflix series free from the pitfalls of the modern world. There's no disaster, just cosy romance, the occasional heartbreak and a lot of laughs along the way.

While Borella wasn't an on-screen face you'll recognize, he was an integral part of making Emily in Paris season 5 smoothly transition from France to Italy.

Diego Borella 'collapsed' on Venice set during Emily in Paris season 5 shoot

On August 23, 2025, it was reported that assistant director Borella "died after collapsing in front of colleagues as they were preparing to film a scene" on set while working on season 5 episode 10 of Emily in Paris, which is set in Venice. He was 47.

According to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, "Medics were called to Hotel Danieli in the city at around 19:00 local time on Thursday, but were unable to save him."

Filming for Emily in Paris season 5 was temporarily suspended after his death.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” a Paramount Television Studios spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

The episode marks Borella's first and only assistant director credit.

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Jasmine Valentine
Jasmine Valentine
Streaming Staff Writer

Jasmine is a Streaming Staff Writer for TechRadar, previously writing for outlets including Radio Times, Yahoo! and Stylist. She specialises in comfort TV shows and movies, ranging from Hallmark's latest tearjerker to Netflix's Virgin River. She's also the person who wrote an obituary for George Cooper Sr. during Young Sheldon Season 7 and still can't watch the funeral episode.

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