Hit Netflix show Emily In Paris has resumed filming in Venice just two days after the show’s assistant director collapsed and died in front of horrified crew members.
Diego Borella, 47, was working on the final scenes of the fifth series of the show in Venice when he collapsed and died in front of horrified crew members.
Medics rushed to the historic Hotel Danieli in the city at around 7pm on Thursday, but were unable to save him, La Repubblica reports.
The paper adds it is believed Borella died from a heart attack.
It is understood that following the tragedy, filming for Emily in Paris had been temporarily halted.
But on Saturday the show’s star Lily Collins was spotted out and about in Venice as filming appeared to resume.
Collins, 36, was seen leaving a building and boarding a boat with her Italian co-star, Eugenio Franceschini, surrounded by crew members.
Collins, who wore a colourful floral dress and hooped earrings, was carrying a water flask and appeared focussed.
On Saturday the show’s star Lily Collins was spotted out and about in Venice as filming appeared to resume following the sudden death of an assistant director
Collins, 36, was seen leaving a building and boarding a boat with her Italian co-star, Eugenio Franceschini, surrounded by crew members
Collins was spotted filming scenes for the fifth series of the show while seated in a gondola
Emily In Paris’ assistant director Diego Borella (pictured) has reportedly died during filming of the hit Netflix show in Venice
She was seen on her phone before being helped into the boat by a male crew member, who passed her an umbrella he had been shielding her with.
Franceschini looked about him as he strolled along the Venice waterfront dressed in orange trousers, a burgundy polo shirt and pinkish suit jacket.
The pair were later seen onboard a gondola, filming a scene with two other actors.
It came less than two days after the death of the show’s assistant director.
Borella was born in Venice in 1978 and was an accomplished director and writer, who trained in cities across the world including Rome, London and New York.
According to his social media, he has successfully published fairy tales, haikus and plays.
Filming for the fifth series of Emily in Paris began in Venice on August 15 and had been due to be completed on Monday.
It comes after Netflix announced that season five will be released on December 18.
Lily Collins, Ashley Park (front left), Eugenio Franceschini, and Paul Forman (front right) were all seen shooting the scenes on Saturday
She was helped aboard a boat on Venice’s waterways before being passed an umbrella
Collins, who wore a colourful floral dress and hooped earrings, was carrying a water flask and appeared focussed
Franceschini looked about him as he strolled along the Venice waterfront dressed in orange trousers, a burgundy polo shirt and pinkish suit jacket
Cameras were strapped down to the gondola throughout the filming
Spanish newspaper El Mundo reports Borella was pronounced dead at 7.30pm after resuscitation attempts failed.
Longtime friend Mattia Berto said: ‘I have fond memories of Diego; he was a handsome, elegant boy 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.’
Starring Lily Collins, 36, as Emily Cooper, the season of Emily in Paris will be set in a new city, Rome, as she continues her European adventure.
The show follows the life and loves of American Emily after beginning a new life in Paris as a social media strategist.
Borella, 47, is said to have collapsed in front of the horrified crew while preparing to shoot the final scenes of the upcoming season.
Borella was also a writer and has published several works including books of haikus
But this season, she is taking on a new city, Rome – and she looks more than a little loved-up in the first-look snaps
But this season, she is taking on a new city – and she looks more than a little loved-up in the first-look snaps.
The season five synopsis reads: ‘Now the head of Agence Grateau Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city.
‘But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
‘Seeking stability, Emily leans into her French lifestyle, until a big secret threatens one of her closest relationships.
‘Tackling conflict with honesty, Emily emerges with deeper connections, renewed clarity, and a readiness to embrace new possibilities.
Darren Star, the show’s creator, said: ‘This season is a Tale of Two Cities. Rome and Paris. Straddling both, Emily takes love and life to the next level.’
News of the latest season’s release date comes after an open casting call for extras in Venice.
In series five, Emily is to take a romantic trip to Venice with handsome Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini.
Lily Collins posted pictures of herself in a tomato-print sundress on one of Venice’s famous water taxis over the weekend
It comes after Emily In Paris announced that season five will be released by Netflix on December 18
Filming locations this week will include the Hotel San Daniele, the Santi Giovanni and Paolo basilica and the Grand Canal.
Lily Collins posted pictures on Instagram of herself in a tomato-print sundress on one of Venice’s famous water taxis over the weekend.
‘A very Venetian getaway,’ Collins, 36, wrote via on Saturday, August 16, sharing photos from the cast’s shoot on a water taxi in Venice. ‘When work becomes play.’
Emily was left with a decision at the end of series four, as she was offered the position of the lead of the Italian Agence Grateau office.
Despite falling in love with Paris and the agency, Emily admitted she was tempted by a new life – with a new man – in Rome.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.
