For two decades, enthusiasts of “The Devil Wears Prada” have eagerly awaited a follow-up to explore the lives of characters like Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs, and to see what has become of Runway magazine.
The anticipation has finally ended, as “The Devil Wears Prada 2” made its international debut on Friday, garnering widespread acclaim from critics.
In this sequel, we witness Andy (portrayed by Anne Hathaway) returning to Runway to assist Miranda (played by Meryl Streep) in navigating the magazine’s uncertain future.
Joining forces with Miranda’s former assistant, Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), now at Dior, and the steadfast Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci), the ensemble must put aside past conflicts to rescue the publication.
Although the sequel offers a fresh perspective on the fashion and media worlds, it still pays homage to the iconic 2006 film with numerous nods and references.
The Daily Mail uncovers all the hidden gems, parallels, and nostalgic moments nestled within this new installment.
The opening sequence
Both films open the exact same way, with a shot of Andy wiping down her bathroom mirror and getting ready to take on the day (left, in the 2026 sequel and right, in the 2006 original)
She is then seen pounding the pavements of New York City, just like the first film, although her wardrobe has had an upgrade since the first time fans laid eyes on her
The camera then cuts to the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art where the Met Gala is taking place, with the theme being ‘Spring Florals’
You don’t have to wait long for a reference to the first film, as both open the exact same way, with a shot of Andy wiping down her bathroom mirror and getting ready to take on the day.
She is then seen pounding the pavements of New York City, just like the first film, although her wardrobe has had an upgrade since the first time fans laid eyes on her.
In a rush to make it to an event, Andy is almost hit by a yellow taxi but manages to jump out of the way just in time – unlike Emily’s fate in the original.
The camera then cuts to the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art where the Met Gala is taking place, with the theme being ‘Spring Florals’.
It’s quite the turnaround given Miranda famously uttered ‘florals, for Spring? Groundbreaking’ when that theme was pitched in an editorial meeting.
Similarly, the sequel ends in the exact same way as the original, with the final line being Miranda simply uttering ‘go’.
The same locations
Andy still visits the restaurant that Nate used to work at, making a return to the real-life eatery Bubby’s in Tribeca, but this time with a new set of friends
The Runway office has had an update but there are still some familiar settings – notably the fashion closet – with Nigel once again helping Andy pick out an ensemble for her
Andy reveals she has broken up with Nate (Adrian Grenier) and is therefore in a new apartment embracing life as a single woman.
However, she still visits the restaurant that Nate used to work at, making a return to the real-life eatery Bubby’s in Tribeca, but this time with a new set of friends.
Meanwhile, Miranda has stayed put in her luxury townhouse, with viewers getting a glimpse inside when she invites Andy in for a chat – this time allowing her to go upstairs.
Her office has also remained the same but under new workplace rules she has to deal with hanging her bag and coat herself rather than just ‘flinging it’ at her assistant.
The Runway office has had an update but there are still some familiar settings – notably the fashion closet – with Nigel once again helping Andy pick out an ensemble for her.
Despite being warned in the first film that the main ingredient in corn chowder is ‘cellulite’, that doesn’t stop Andy getting herself soup at the Runway canteen upon her return.
She also hasn’t lost her love of an onion bagel for breakfast and is seen eating one on her way into the office.
Familiar faces and phrases
There are references to Miranda’s cerulean jumper monologue as well as an appearance of the item itself, having been modified by Anne Hathaway (pictured in the original)
The sequel’s score was composed by Theodore Shapiro, who also composed the score to the original film, with many of his original tunes brought back. Madonna’s Vogue is also a familiar sound.
Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna also penned the sequel, ensuring there are plenty of references to the original script.
Nigel greets Andy with ‘hello six’, referring to the nickname he gave her in the original based on her clothing size.
While when discussing Miranda’s new assistants, it’s still the line that a ‘million girls would kill for the job’.
During a fitting, Miranda tells a designer to lose the bow on a dress, a reference to the fact she hated the giant bow dress presented by James Hoult in the first film.
While when talking down to Miranda, Emily describes herself as a lot ‘fresher and younger’, just as Christian had described Miranda’s rival Jacqueline Follet.
There are also references to Miranda’s legendary cerulean jumper monologue as well as an appearance of the item itself, having been modified by Anne Hathaway.
The item now appears on Andy as a vest, with Costume Designer Molly Rogers explaining: ‘She grabbed it in a fitting and she chopped the sleeves off — we all screamed.
‘But it was good because we were kind of doing her menswear-inspired, so it was great that it ended up a vest.’
Fans of the original will also recognise a few familiar faces, with Andy’s best friend Lily (Tracie Thoms) and Runway worker Paul (George C. Wolfe) returning as well as Heidi Klum in another cameo.
Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman) also plays a crucial role in the sequel.
There are also several storylines that hark back to the original film, such as Andy being on an ‘impossible’ task and the offer of a promotion suddenly being rescinded, but the Daily Mail is choosing not to publish any obvious spoilers.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in cinemas now.
