It is actually kind of wild when you think about it. Most "work besties" last about as long as the job does. You grab a few happy hour drinks, complain about the boss, and then someone gets a better offer and you basically never speak again except for the occasional "Happy Birthday" text.
But Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt are the exception that proves the rule.
They met back in 2005 on the set of The Devil Wears Prada. At the time, Anne was already a massive star coming off The Princess Diaries, and Emily was the "new girl" from England who was apparently so nervous she was "green" around the gills. Fast forward to early 2026, and they aren't just still friends—they are arguably the most powerful duo in Hollywood.
The Prada Reunion No One Expected (Until It Happened)
For years, people asked about a sequel. For years, Anne Hathaway said it probably wouldn't work because print media was "dead" and the story belonged in the early 2000s. She was wrong. We were all wrong.
The industry basically melted down when Disney+ and 20th Century Studios finally pulled the trigger on the sequel. It’s set for a May 1, 2026 release, and the plot is honestly genius. Instead of Andy Sachs (Hathaway) being the underdog, she’s now a powerhouse journalist. Meanwhile, Emily Charlton (Blunt) has become a high-level executive at a luxury brand conglomerate.
The dynamic has flipped. Now, Miranda Priestly—played by the legendary Meryl Streep—is the one who needs them.
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What Really Happened on that 2006 Set
People love to imagine drama. They want to think the on-screen rivalry between Andy and Emily was real, but the truth is way more wholesome. During a Variety "Actors on Actors" session, Anne admitted she felt an "instant" connection when Emily walked into the room.
She literally thought, "What a movie star."
They spent their nights during filming wandering around New York and getting coffee. Emily has often called Anne her "rock" during that period. It’s a rare thing to find in an industry that’s basically built on ego. They weren't competing for the spotlight; they were just two young women trying to survive a demanding shoot with a director who wanted perfection.
The Family Connection
If you think their bond is just for the cameras, look at their real lives. Emily Blunt’s sister, Felicity, is married to Stanley Tucci.
Yes, Nigel from The Devil Wears Prada is Emily’s brother-in-law.
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This means the "Prada Family" isn't just a PR stunt. They actually hang out. They have Sunday dinners. Stanley probably makes them martinis (he’s famous for them now, thanks to Instagram). When you see Anne and Emily laughing on a red carpet, like they did at the 2024 SAG Awards in those stunning cerulean and red gowns, that's not "acting." That’s eighteen years of history.
Why 2026 is the Year of Anne and Emily
If you haven't been paying attention to the trades, Anne Hathaway is basically owning the 2026 box office. Beyond the Prada sequel, she’s got Mother Mary—that "pop melodrama" with Michaela Coel—and the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Verity.
Emily isn't exactly sitting around either. Between her roles in prestige dramas and her rumored involvement in a few secret Marvel projects, she’s at the peak of her powers.
But it's the Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt chemistry that people are actually searching for. There is something comforting about seeing two women who started together, stayed successful together, and never let the "Hollywood machine" pit them against each other.
The Secret to Their Longevity
Honestly, it comes down to respect.
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In every interview, they talk about each other as equals. When Emily was first starting out, Anne didn't treat her like an assistant. She treated her like a peer. That kind of foundation is hard to shake. Even in 2025, while filming scenes for the sequel in Milan and Lake Como, paparazzi caught them laughing between takes. Anne was in a red leather trench coat, Emily in an olive bomber jacket, looking less like co-stars and more like old friends on a work trip.
The sequel focuses on the "death of print," but the real story is about how these characters—and the actresses playing them—have evolved. They aren't the girls getting coffee anymore. They're the ones running the show.
How to channel your inner Andy and Emily:
- Invest in "Work Besties": Don't just network; build actual relationships. The person sitting next to you today might be the one you're co-starring with (or collaborating with) twenty years from now.
- Acknowledge Your Peers: If you're the "veteran" in the room, take a page from Anne’s book. Treat the newcomers as equals. It builds loyalty that lasts decades.
- Stay for the Long Game: Success isn't just about one big hit. It's about maintaining a reputation for being great to work with. There’s a reason David Frankel (the director) wanted the whole original gang back for the 2026 sequel.
- Keep the Connection Alive: Even if you aren't filming in Lake Como, a simple text or a "coffee walk" keeps a friendship from turning into a LinkedIn connection.
The Devil Wears Prada sequel arrives in theaters May 1, 2026. Gird your loins.