Meryl Streep Reveals Miranda Priestly's True Inspirations

Meryl Streep, reprising her role as Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada 2," has shared new insights into the character's creation and her on-screen evolution. The sequel, released in 2026, presents a less intimidating Miranda, grappling with significant changes at Runway and displaying a more pronounced emotional range than seen in the 2006 original.

Streep disclosed that her portrayal of the formidable editor-in-chief was not inspired by Anna Wintour, as commonly believed. Instead, she based Miranda Priestly on the distinct personalities of Clint Eastwood and Mike Nichols. This nuanced approach to character development contributes to the positive reception of "The Devil Wears Prada 2."

Furthermore, Streep reflected on the modern tendency to categorize characters as strictly heroes or villains, likening superhero narratives, particularly those from Marvel, to contemporary folklore. She suggested that these stories often reinforce a simplistic good versus evil dynamic, contrasting with the more complex, 'grey area' characters that audiences may increasingly appreciate.