Meryl Streep has revealed that she played formidable Runway magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly in the original The Devil Wears Prada without ever seeing a fashion show.
First Fashion Show Experience
The actress, now 76, attended her first fashion show in September 2025, viewing the Dolce & Gabbana collection during Milan Fashion Week while filming the sequel, which was released on May 1. Meryl says: “I’d never been to a fashion show before.”
Miranda Priestly: A Unique Creation
Terrifying and unflappable, Miranda Priestly was rumoured to have been based on Vogue legend Anna Wintour in the original 2006 film. However, Meryl denies this, stating: “I didn’t have any interest in replicating anything about her. I wanted Miranda to be her own thing.” Insiders say the fashion industry was reluctant to become overly involved with the film for fear of causing Wintour offence.
A New Miranda in the Sequel
In Devil Wears Prada 2, Miranda is a very different character, displaying vulnerability in a struggling industry. Of the ‘reborn’ Miranda’s persona, Meryl says: “This one is just made up.” Director David Frankel explains: “The original film captured the last days of the great magazine pomp era. There were shows like Sex and the City and Absolutely Fabulous, which made fashion feel urgent. Now, a lot of the plot of this film is about them having to make Instagrams.”
More Freedom on Set
Reported to be dating her Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short, 74, mother-of-four Meryl describes her own off-camera style as “relaxed” and says there was more freedom making the new movie: “People were so generous, letting us come to shows.”
Miranda’s Lasting Impact
The most celebrated actress in Oscars history, with best actress gongs for Sophie’s Choice (1982), The Iron Lady (2011) and best supporting actress for Kramer vs Kramer (1979), Meryl says Miranda’s character has followed her around for 20 years. She laughs: “Almost all my lines come back at me. People do repeat, ‘By all means, move at a glacial pace.’ They think they're the first people to ever have said that to you. Also, ‘That's all.’ They do that to me a lot.”
Why the Sequel Took Two Decades
For a film that still has such a huge fanbase two decades later, many are surprised it took so long to make a sequel. Meryl adds: “There needed to be an idea that really sunk its teeth into the present moment. There has to be a reason for something to come along, not just to make money. It has to own its space, and we were all picky by that time. We all didn't want to come back just to come back. We just wanted it to be good.”
This interview can be heard in full on The Arts Hour on the BBC World Service, available on BBC Sounds.
