The late Diego Borella is gone but not forgotten.
The assistant director, who died in August during filming of Emily in Paris season 5, is given a touching tribute at the end of the new episodes, which started streaming on Netflix Thursday.
Before the credits roll in the wild season finale, a black screen with white text dedicates the episode in his memory with the words, “In memory of Diego Borella.”
According to local Italian outlets La Reppublica and Il Messaggero, Borella collapsed around 7 p.m. local time on Aug. 21 while shooting the final take of the day inside Venice’s Hotel Danieli. Medical personnel unsuccessfully attempted to revive him while on set.
Diego Borella/Instagram
The Independent reported that an ambulance was also called to the show’s set. “Our ambulance arrived at 18.42 (on Thursday evening),” the local Venice health service told the outlet. “Medics made attempts to resuscitate him. But in the end, all efforts proved fruitless. At around 19.30, he was pronounced deceased.” Borella was 47.
At the time, a spokesperson for Paramount Television Studios confirmed the news, and offered condolences, in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” the spokesperson said. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Immediately following the incident, production was temporarily halted. It picked up a few days later, on the following Saturday, with stars Lily Collins, Eugenio Franceschini, Ashley Park, and Paul Forman seen shooting a scene on a boat together, according to PEOPLE. This lines up with scenes shown in the season finale.
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
In addition to his work in television, Borella also worked in literature and visual arts. Mattia Berto, an actor and friend of Borella, paid tribute to him, telling Spanish outlet El Mundo, “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.”
All 10 episodes of Emily in Paris season 5 are now streaming on Netflix.
