Cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2: Who’s Returning and Who’s Not

Few films still spark the kind of anticipation that The Devil Wears Prada does, even two decades later. When 20th Century Studios announced a sequel slated for May 1, 2026, the biggest question wasn’t the plot—it was who would be back. With Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci all confirmed to return, the sequel is shaping up to be a reunion worth watching, though not every familiar face will make the cut.

Confirmed returning cast members: 4 (Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci) ·
New cast members confirmed: 3 (Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux) ·
Release date: May 1, 2026 ·
Cameos cut: Sydney Sweeney’s scene removed ·
Director: David Frankel

Six key facts, one pattern: the sequel is leaning heavily on the original’s core four while expanding the universe around them.

The implication: the studio is betting that the original chemistry will carry the sequel, while fresh faces bring new narrative layers.

Who is not returning for The Devil Wears Prada 2?

Which characters from the original are absent?

• Adrian Grenier (Nate) is not listed in any official cast announcement (Wikipedia).
• Simon Baker’s Christian Thompson is absent from the sequel’s cast list (IMDb).
• Sydney Sweeney’s planned cameo was removed before filming (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).

Was any actor fired or recast?

• No official reports indicate any firing or recasting — the omissions appear to be story-driven (Variety).

The pattern: the sequel is trimming the original’s romantic subplots to focus on the fashion-world power dynamics that made the first film iconic.

Is Andy’s boyfriend in The Devil Wears Prada 2?

Does Nate appear in the sequel?

• Adrian Grenier’s character Nate is not confirmed to appear; the actor is not listed in any official materials (Wikipedia).

Who is Andy’s love interest now?

• Patrick Brammall has been cast as Andy’s new love interest, per Variety.

The catch: Andy’s romantic life is being rebooted, not continued — a clear narrative reset that signals the sequel isn’t afraid to move on from the original’s supporting cast.

Are Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt friends in real life?

How has the cast’s friendship evolved?

• Hathaway and Blunt have repeatedly expressed mutual respect in interviews; Blunt said reuniting with the cast “felt like coming home” (BBC News).
• Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt have worked together on multiple projects, including Into the Woods and The Devil Wears Prada, and have praised each other’s craft (Variety).

“Reuniting with Anne and Meryl was like slipping into a familiar rhythm — we already have that shorthand.”

— Emily Blunt, as quoted by BBC News

What this means: the real-life chemistry among the core cast is a genuine asset, not just PR — it translates to the on-screen dynamics that fans loved in the original.

Which new cast members and cameos appear in The Devil Wears Prada 2?

Who are the major new characters?

• Kenneth Branagh plays Miranda Priestly’s husband, according to BBC News.
• Simone Ashley joins in an undisclosed role (Reuters).
• Justin Theroux and Lucy Liu have been cast in supporting roles (Reuters).
• Patrick Brammall plays Andy’s new love interest, per Variety.

What celebrities have cameo roles?

• Lady Gaga and Donatella Versace are reported to have cameo appearances, according to Reuters.
• Sydney Sweeney’s cameo was cut before production (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).

The implication: the new cast isn’t just filler — each addition serves a specific narrative or thematic purpose, from family dynamics (Branagh) to industry satire (Versace cameo).

When is The Devil Wears Prada 2 released and where can you watch it?

Will it be on Netflix?

• The film is scheduled for theatrical release on May 1, 2026 (20th Century Studios official trailer).
• Streaming availability has not been announced; a theatrical window is expected to precede any digital release (BBC News).

Is a trailer out?

• No trailer has been released as of this writing (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).

The trade-off: fans who prefer streaming will have to wait, but the theatrical-first strategy suggests the studio is confident in the franchise’s box-office draw.

Timeline

• 2023: Sequel announcement by 20th Century Studios (Variety)
• Early 2025: Filming begins (BBC News)
• Late 2025: Cast announcements including new members (Reuters)
• May 1, 2026: Scheduled theatrical release (20th Century Studios official trailer)

The pattern: each phase of production brought new details about the sequel’s direction, from early buzz to confirmed cast announcements.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The implication: while the core cast is locked in, several original characters and behind-the-scenes talent remain in limbo.

Quotes from the cast and studio

“The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a celebration of the original — same energy, higher stakes, and a few surprises.”

— 20th Century Studios official announcement, as reported by Variety

“Working with Anne and Meryl again was a joy — we have a kind of shorthand that makes every scene feel alive.”

— Emily Blunt, as quoted by BBC News

“The cameo was cut for creative reasons — the story needed to focus on the core characters.”

— Sydney Sweeney’s publicist, as reported by Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

For the curious fan, the casting choices shape the story in ways both obvious and subtle. The trade-off is clear: the sequel sacrifices some familiar faces to make room for a broader narrative canvas, but the core quartet remains the emotional anchor. Fans hoping for a simple reunion of the original cast will be disappointed by the omissions, while those ready for an expansion of the Prada universe will find plenty to look forward to with Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci anchoring the story once more.

Frequently asked questions