Anne Hathaway Discusses Meryl Streep’s Approach to Acting in The Devil Wears Prada Sequel

Meryl Streep took a noticeably different approach while portraying Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2, according to her co-star Anne Hathaway.

Anne shared exclusively with E! News that unlike the original 2006 film, Meryl decided against staying in character throughout the sequel's production.

“During the first movie, Meryl made a significant personal sacrifice because she enjoys hanging out near the camera truck, engaging in conversations and sharing laughs,” Anne explained at the film’s New York City premiere on April 20.

Anne added that for the initial film, Meryl purposely distanced herself from the cast off-camera to maintain the authoritative presence of the demanding magazine editor she portrayed. “She felt that if she remained relaxed and social with us, the cast wouldn’t embody their characters with the same intensity,” Anne noted.

“So, she gave up that social time she loved, helping all of us stay fully immersed in our roles,” Anne continued.

However, for the sequel, Meryl opted to spend more time bonding with the cast, setting aside her method acting routine. Anne recalled Meryl telling her fellow actors, including Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, “You all know what to do — I trust you.”

Regarding her own mindset, Anne shared that she approached the sequel without the pressure of surpassing the first film. Wearing a striking red Louis Vuitton gown for the premiere, she admitted, “I’m past that phase of my life where I feel overwhelmed by expectations. I simply embrace what comes.”

“Naturally, there are pressures and expectations,” she acknowledged, “but since the same team is behind this sequel, I didn’t feel intimidated.”

Anne also reflected on the lasting impact of The Devil Wears Prada, highlighting how it has inspired people worldwide. “It’s incredible to hear from fans everywhere—from New York to Seoul to Shanghai—about how these characters encouraged them to dream big,” she said. “That has truly been overwhelming.”