Emily Blunt debuts dramatic hair transformation on ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ set

Emily Blunt has once again stepped into the sharp, stylish shoes of Emily Charlton for The Devil Wears Prada 2—but this time, she’s doing it with a striking new hairstyle.

On Thursday, August 14, the 42-year-old actress was photographed on the New York City set of the upcoming sequel to the 2006 hit film, unveiling a bleach-blonde bob with a subtle shadow root. It’s a bold departure from the deep red locks fans associate with her character in the original movie.

A Chic Wardrobe for the Streets of New York

In the images making their way across social media, Emily Blunt was seen wearing a black-and-red striped Coach sweater featuring an apple design with “N.Y.” embroidered at the center—a playful nod to the city where Runway magazine rules.

The A Quiet Place star accessorized with a silver tie, sleek Dior sunglasses, and vibrant red pants. Midway through filming, she swapped the pants for tights, pairing them with a black Maison Margiela skirt. The look was completed with maroon heeled ankle boots, which added just the right amount of fashion-week attitude to her outfit.

From Fiery Red to Platinum Blonde

The hair transformation is one of the most eye-catching changes for Emily’s character. In The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Emily Charlton’s red hair became part of her identity—just as much as her razor-sharp sarcasm and commitment to impressing Miranda Priestly.

Earlier this year, Emily Blunt was spotted filming with the same fiery red shade she sported nearly two decades ago, leading fans to assume the sequel would stick to the original look. This sudden switch to blonde suggests either a new chapter for her character or possibly a time jump in the storyline.

Returning to the World of Runway Magazine

Emily Blunt is reprising her role as Emily Charlton, the former assistant to Runway magazine’s formidable Editor-in-Chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. In the first film, Emily Blunt was a ladder-climbing perfectionist who suffered no fools—least of all the naïve newcomer Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway).

By the end of the original, Emily’s career took a hit due to an accident and Andy’s unexpected moral compass. The sequel may explore where she landed in the years since—and how her relationship with Miranda evolved after those events.

The Original Cast Is Back

It’s not just Blunt who’s making a return. Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Anne Hathaway are all stepping back into their iconic roles.

Streep will once again bring icy authority to Miranda Priestly, Tucci returns as the warm but brutally honest Nigel, and Hathaway reprises her role as Andy Sachs—whose journey from clueless assistant to confident journalist served as the first film’s emotional core.

The chemistry between these four actors helped make The Devil Wears Prada a cultural touchstone. Their reunion in the sequel is already fueling anticipation among fans, especially those who’ve spent nearly 20 years quoting the movie’s most savage lines.

What We Know About the Sequel

Details about the plot of The Devil Wears Prada 2 are still under wraps, but industry chatter suggests it could explore the fashion industry’s transformation in the age of social media, influencer culture, and fast fashion.

The original film, based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel, became an instant classic for its mix of biting humor, emotional beats, and sharp critiques of ambition. Given how much the industry has changed since 2006, the sequel has plenty of fresh territory to cover—especially if Emily Charlton is front and center.

Mark Your Calendars

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is slated to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. That gives audiences just under two years to speculate about Emily’s transformation, Miranda’s next move, and whether Andy has stayed true to her post-Runway ideals.

For now, fans will have to settle for set photos, leaked glimpses of the costumes, and endless debates over whether Emily Charlton looks better as a redhead or a blonde. One thing’s certain—whatever hair color she’s wearing, Emily Blunt knows how to make an entrance.

Earlier to this, the actress was spotted on the set of the new movie with the same red hair color and same style she had sported in the 2006 original.

Emily Blunt is reprising her role of the former assistant to the Runway magazine Editor-in-Chief Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) in The Devil Wears Prada 2.

In addition to Emily Blunt, Streep, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway are also bringing back their conic roles in the sequel.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is expected to release in theaters on May 1, 2026.