Diego Borella, the assistant director of hit Netflix show Emily In Paris, has reportedly died during filming of its fifth series in Venice.
Diego, 47, is said to have collapsed in front of the horrified crew while preparing to shoot the final scenes of the upcoming season.
Paramedics rushed to the historic Hotel Danieli at around 7pm on Thursday, but were unable to save him, La Repubblica reports.
Borella was a well-regarded Venetian professional who had trained in Rome, London and New York.
He was also an accomplished writer, publishing fairy tales and children’s stories.
According to Italian media, filming for Emily in Paris has been halted following Borella’s death.
Emily In Paris’ assistant director Diego Borella (pictured) has reportedly died during filming of the hit Netflix show in Venice
Filming for the fifth series began in Venice on August 15 and had been due to be completed on Monday.
It comes after Emily In Paris announced that season five will be released by Netflix on December 18.
Starring Lily Collins, 36, as Emily Cooper, the season will be set in a new city, Rome, as she continues her European adventure.
For those unfamiliar with the show, it follows the life and loves of American Emily after beginning a new life in Paris as a social media strategist.
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.
It comes after Emily In Paris announced that season five will be released by Netflix on December 18
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
The synopsis continues: ‘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.
The hit Netflix show is filming in Venice and according to local reports, a casting call has gone out to find 500 extras.
The catch? They all have to be ‘beautiful’ and take a dress size from 6 to 10 maximum.
The casting call reads: ‘We are looking for beautiful extras, with a lean physique and size from 38 to 42’.
In series five, Emily is to take a romantic trip to Venice with handsome Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini.
Lily Collins Instagrammed pictures of herself in a tomato-print sundress on one of Venice’s famous water taxis over the weekend
Filming locations this week will include the Hotel San Daniele, the Santi Giovanni and Paolo basilica and the Grand Canal.
Lily Collins Instagrammed pictures 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.
