Lily Collins returns to work two days after assistant director’s death on Emily in Paris set in Venice

Lilly Collins resumes shooting for Emily in Paris

Just two days after an unexpected tragedy, the team behind Emily in Paris is back at work, holding on to professionalism while carrying a heavy heart.

On Saturday, 23 August, Lily Collins and her castmates were seen filming in Venice, a city that had been full of excitement only days earlier.

The cameras rolled again as Collins, 36, joined Eugenio Franceschini, Ashley Park and Paul Forman on a boat, continuing work on the fifth season of Netflix’s much-loved romantic comedy drama.

Their return comes in the shadow of the sudden death of assistant director Diego Borella, who collapsed on set on Thursday, 21 August, inside Venice’s historic Hotel Danieli.

Despite swift medical help, the 47-year-old could not be revived and was declared dead around 7pm local time, confirmed by Italian outlets including La Repubblica, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera.

Local reports suggest Borella likely suffered a “sudden heart attack.” Paramount Television Studios expressed their grief in a statement to People: “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.”

Borella was more than a name in the credits. A proud Venetian, he had built a varied career as both a director and writer, studying in Rome, London and New York. His interests went beyond film, touching on visual arts and literature, and he carried that creative energy to every project he worked on.

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Just days before, the atmosphere on set had been light and playful. Collins had been sharing glimpses of her Venetian days on Instagram, posting a cheerful photo on 19 August with Ashley Park on a boat, captioned: “Joy ride to and from work with the best…” Earlier, she shared another set of pictures, writing: “A very Venetian getaway. When work becomes play…”

Now, those moments feel bittersweet. What began as a celebratory chapter in Venice has been marked by loss. As the cast and crew push forward to wrap filming by 25 August, Borella’s absence is a silent reminder of the fragility of life behind the glamour of the screen.