Everyone stop what you’re doing: The Devil Wears Prada 2 just added a major dose of Regency-era royalty to its fashion-forward sequel. Simone Ashley, best known for her scene-stealing role as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, is officially joining the cast of 20th Century Studios’ long-awaited follow-up to the 2006 blockbuster, as per Deadline.
She’ll star opposite returning icons Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, as well as recent addition Kenneth Branagh, who plays Miranda Priestly’s husband. Details of Ashley’s role are still under wraps, but with the film diving deep into a battle between old-school editorial and new era marketing magic and nous, it’s safe to assume she’s bringing more than a little edge to the runway. Groundbreaking.
Directed once again by David Frankel, with a script by original scribe Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada 2 picks up with Miranda (Streep) navigating the death spiral of the print magazine industry while former assistant Emily Charlton (Blunt) thrives as a high-level fashion executive. The two now find themselves in a war for ad dollars, digital influence, and — we can only assume — the souls of next-gen assistants.
Ashley, who also starred in The Little Mermaid as Indira and appeared in Sex Education, brings undeniable Gen Z appeal and international recognition to the film, which already boasts an Oscar-nominated legacy. (Let’s not forget, Streep was up for Best Actress, and Patricia Field scored a nomination for Costume Design.) With Ashley onboard, it’s a clear sign that this isn’t just planning on presenting itself as a legacy sequel, but as a story for another generation altogether while also, as we all hoped, getting the band back together.
When Is ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Coming Out?
The film is set to release on May 1, 2026, a date that was originally reserved for Avengers: Doomsday. Yes, Miranda Priestly is so powerful she bumped the Avengers. Disney shuffled its release calendar earlier this year, pushing Doomsday to December 18, 2026, and Secret Wars to December 17, 2027. In other words: clear your calendars.
Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest updates from Runway Magazine as we prepare to look out our lumpy blue sweaters that are actually cerulean, and were inspired by the collection of Oscar de la Renta gowns in 2002, followed by the cerulean military jackets by Yves Saint Laurent… from a pile of stuff.