'Emily in Paris' remembers beloved crew member with an emotional tribute in season 5
As one of Netflix's most anticipated returns and a show many consider a comforting escape, 'Emily in Paris' is known for ending its seasons on a light, celebratory note, often with cliffhangers. The newest season, i.e., Season 5, Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins), closed on a far more emotional note. As the season came to an end, it took a moment to honor an essential member of the production family, assistant director Diego Borella.
The tribute appeared as the end credits rolled for 'Emily in Paris' Season 5 finale. Diego Borella passed away in August 2025 while working on the Venice leg of the noted web series' production. He fell to the ground on set as the crew was gearing up to shoot the show's final scene at Hotel Danieli in Venice. The dedication towards the end highlighted how deeply his loss was felt across the production. While he was a part of the Italian crew, his passing affected and resonated far beyond a single unit. This included the people behind the cameras who had traveled and worked with him across Europe for months.
While in an interview with Deadline, creator Darren Star addressed the decision to dedicate the final episode to Borella. He said, "It was such a tragic moment. He was part of our Italian crew in Venice, but we're all a family, and we really wanted to honor him, to dedicate the last episode to him." While the in-show timeline is much shorter, the show has been on for roughly five years. Star's comments reflected the close-knit nature of the cast and crew, having worked on 'Emily in Paris' together for almost half a decade. As the season reached viewers worldwide, it was clear the creator wanted Borella's contributions to the show to be recognized.
As per an Italian news outlet, La Repubblica, Borella collapsed during the filming and was declared dead around 7 pm on August 22, 2025, as emergency service workers failed to revive him. A local doctor at the time had quoted that he passed away due to an unexpected "heart attack." The production for 'Emily in Paris' Season 5 was also paused for a while due to the tragedy on set. Paramount Studios confirmed the incident in a statement to People. It read, "We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family. Our hearts go out to the individual's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
One of Borella's friends, noted actor Mattia Berto, also paid a tribute to him. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, he said, "I have fond memories of Diego; he was a handsome, elegant guy with a lot of style. The last time we saw each other was at a dinner in Paris with his best friend and mine, whom I called on Thursday. She was devastated. Diego had a great sense of humor, was brilliant, and very talented. His is a young life cut short, so there aren't many words. Just great sadness." 'Emily in Paris' Season 5 is streaming on Netflix.
