The sequel to The Devil Wears Prada has arrived, and while it brings back the glamour and sharp wit of the original, it also introduces a new character who may be the film’s true villain: Patrick Brammall’s Peter, Andy’s new boyfriend. Critics argue that Peter, an Australian real estate contractor, is a tedious and unnecessary addition to the story, serving only as a romantic placeholder with no real chemistry or plot function.
Peter appears midway through the film, after Andy has returned to Runway magazine as features editor. He is described as the only straight male in her vicinity who isn’t elderly or a tech bro, but their relationship is barely developed. A scant dinner scene lacks wit or chemistry, and a sidewalk dance sequence filmed by paparazzi was reportedly cut. The film skips over their wooing, leaving Peter as a bland, supportive figure who fails to enhance Andy’s character or the narrative.
This is a stark contrast to the original film, where Andy’s boyfriend Nate (Adrian Grenier) was widely considered the “real villain” for his unsupportive and nagging behaviour. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna described Nate as a male version of the “naggy wife” trope. Andy ended the first film single and happy, a progressive choice that highlighted her independence and her central relationship with Miranda Priestly.
In the sequel, Peter doesn’t clash with Andy or Miranda, nor does he offer wisdom or romantic tension. His inclusion feels like a throwback to an era where female characters required a romantic happy ending, even when it’s not earned. As one critic put it, “Why include Peter at all?” The result is a character who feels unwelcome in a world that thrives on couture, wit, and the magnetic dynamic between Andy and Miranda.
