Meryl Streep Recalls Being Unnerved by Fan Frenzy During Filming of Devil Wears Prada Sequel

Meryl Streep reflects on the "ambush of attention" while filming The Devil Wears Prada 2, her decision to drop Method acting, and the sequel's May 1 release.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 11:20 AM EDT

Source: People

The Unexpected Ambush on Sixth Avenue Meryl Streep recently reflected on the overwhelming public reaction that greeted the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2 during principal photography in Manhattan. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar for its April 2026 issue, Streep described the atmosphere as an "ambush of both goodwill and avid attention" that required significant security measures, including police barriers and crowd control. The actress noted that while the team understood the original film’s enduring legacy, the sheer volume of "buses of fans" and aggressive paparazzi jumping in front of cameras was a jarring departure from the relatively quiet production of the first film twenty years ago.

A New Level of Fashion Industry Integration The sequel’s production has enjoyed a vastly different relationship with the high fashion world compared to its predecessor. Anne Hathaway, who returns as Andy Sachs, noted that the 2006 original initially struggled to secure cooperation from major luxury houses. In contrast, for the 2026 sequel, the cast was invited to attend Milan Fashion Week and collaborate directly with top tier brands. Streep herself was seen at the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2026 show, where she spent time with Anna Wintour, the longtime Vogue editor-in-chief widely considered to be the inspiration for the Miranda Priestly character.

TRANSFORMATIVE ANALYSIS: The Impact of Legacy Sequels on Urban Production The "roar" Streep heard on Sixth Avenue underscores a shift in how legacy sequels interact with urban environments in the age of social media. When the first film was shot in 2005, filming in New York was a routine logistical hurdle; in 2026, it is a global event tracked in real time by fans. This transformation from a niche workplace comedy to a cornerstone of pop culture has turned film sets into interactive public spectacles. For veteran actors like Streep, this environment creates a tension between the private focus required for performance and the public demand for "meta" moments, such as fans arriving on set dressed as the characters they are currently filming.

Abandoning the Misery of Method Acting One of the most significant changes for Streep during the filming of the sequel was her approach to the role of Miranda Priestly. Having famously utilized Method acting for the original—staying cold and distant from her costars to maintain the c...