It is rare for a movie about the fashion industry to become a permanent fixture in the cultural lexicon. Usually, these films are trendy for a summer and then disappear like last season's hemlines. But who played in The Devil Wears Prada matters because that specific alchemy of actors turned a mid-2000s workplace comedy into a timeless study of power, ambition, and the price of success. Honestly, if you swap out even one of the lead actors, the whole thing probably falls apart.
You’ve got Meryl Streep, obviously. She didn't just play a boss; she created a monster that we somehow couldn't stop watching. Then there’s Anne Hathaway, who had to pivot from her "Princess Diaries" persona into something much more grounded and cynical. But the bench goes deep. We’re talking about Emily Blunt in a breakout role that basically handed her a career, and Stanley Tucci doing what he does best—being the emotional glue of the entire story.
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly: The Arctic Chill
When people ask about who played in The Devil Wears Prada, the conversation starts and ends with Meryl Streep. It’s impossible to overstate how much she risked with this performance. She famously decided to play Miranda Priestly not as a screaming, hysterical caricature, but as a quiet, whispering authority figure. That choice was inspired by Clint Eastwood’s soft-spoken command on set.
Streep reportedly stayed in character for a lot of the production to maintain that icy distance. On the first day of filming, she told Anne Hathaway, "I think you're perfect for the role. I'm so happy we're going to be working together," and then followed it up with, "That's the last nice thing I'll say to you." She wasn't kidding.
The nuance she brought to the "Cerulean" monologue is taught in film schools now. It wasn't just a fashion lesson; it was a verbal evisceration of Andy Sachs' intellectual snobbery. Streep insisted on the scene where we see Miranda without makeup in her hotel room, vulnerable and dealing with a divorce. She wanted to ensure the character wasn't just a villain, but a person who had sacrificed everything for an industry that would replace her in a heartbeat.
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Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs: The Disheveled Protagonist
Anne Hathaway wasn't actually the first choice for Andy. Believe it or not, the studio desperately wanted Rachel McAdams, who turned it down multiple times because she wanted to step away from mainstream projects for a bit. Hathaway literally traced the words "hire me" in the sand of a zen garden on a studio executive's desk to show how badly she wanted the gig.
Her portrayal of Andy Sachs is the lens through which we see this world. We watch her go from wearing a lumpy cerulean sweater to Chanel boots, but the real arc is her losing her soul. Hathaway plays the "transformation" trope with a lot of subtlety. You can see the moment she starts to prioritize Miranda’s phone calls over her boyfriend Nate’s birthday. It’s uncomfortable to watch because we’ve all been there—trying to prove we can do a job we claim to despise.
Emily Blunt and the Role That Changed Everything
If you want to know who played in The Devil Wears Prada and stole every single scene they were in, it’s Emily Blunt. She played Emily Charlton, Miranda’s overworked, high-strung first assistant. Blunt was originally in Los Angeles for a different audition and did a tape for this on a whim. She played the character as British (which wasn't in the original script) and added a layer of desperate, starving anxiety that made her hilarious and tragic at the same time.
Her delivery of lines like "I’m one stomach flu away from my goal weight" became instant memes before memes were even a thing. Blunt’s chemistry with Hathaway provided the necessary friction that kept the movie from feeling too much like a fairytale. She was the warning of what Andy could become if she stayed too long.
Stanley Tucci as Nigel: The Soul of Runway
Stanley Tucci stepped into the role of Nigel, the creative director, just 72 hours before he had to start filming. He brings a warmth that balances out Miranda’s coldness. Nigel is the one who tells Andy the hard truth: that she isn't "trying," she's just whining.
Tucci and Streep had an incredible rapport, which makes the ending—where Miranda betrays Nigel to save her own job—so gut-wrenching. He’s the only person in the film who truly loves the art of fashion, rather than just the power it brings.
The Supporting Cast: Boyfriends, Flings, and Fashion Icons
The "other" people who played in The Devil Wears Prada are just as vital for the world-building.
- Adrian Grenier (Nate): He played Andy’s chef boyfriend. Over the years, the internet has turned on Nate, labeling him the "real villain" for not supporting Andy’s career growth. Whether you agree or not, Grenier played the role of the grounding force that Andy eventually outgrows.
- Simon Baker (Christian Thompson): The charming, slightly sleazy writer who tempts Andy in Paris. Baker brought a perfect "Golden Boy" energy that contrasted with the grittier reality of Andy's life in New York.
- Gisele Bündchen (Serena): The supermodel had a small but memorable role as Emily’s friend in the office. She famously only agreed to be in the movie if she didn't have to play a model.
- Tracie Thoms and Rich Sommer: They played Andy’s friends, the ones who mock her new lifestyle while happily accepting the expensive swag she brings them.
Why the Casting Worked
The casting worked because it didn't rely on "fashion types." It relied on heavy-hitting dramatic actors who treated the material with absolute seriousness. Director David Frankel and casting director Ellen Lewis looked for people who could handle the fast-paced, Aaron Sorkin-lite dialogue without making it feel like a sitcom.
The film cost about $35 million to make and grossed over $326 million. That doesn't happen just because people like clothes. It happens because the audience believes in the relationships on screen. When Miranda says "That's all," you feel the weight of it because of the way the actors around her react.
Practical Takeaways from the Prada Legacy
If you’re looking back at the cast of this film, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding how it shaped the industry and what you can learn from it:
- Character Depth Over Likability: None of the characters are particularly "nice." Miranda is a tyrant, Andy is judgmental, and Nate is needy. But they are all human. In any creative endeavor, lean into the flaws.
- The Power of the Supporting Role: Emily Blunt’s career is the perfect example of how a supporting role, played with enough conviction, can overshadow the lead. Don't overlook the "small" parts in your own projects.
- Longevity is About Quality: People are still searching for who played in The Devil Wears Prada nearly two decades later because the performances hold up. High-quality work has a much longer shelf life than whatever is currently "viral."
To truly appreciate the film today, re-watch it specifically focusing on the non-verbal cues. Watch Stanley Tucci’s face when he realizes he’s been passed over for the James Holt job, or Emily Blunt’s eyes when she sees Andy’s makeover for the first time. That is where the real magic of the casting lies.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Read the Source Material: Pick up Lauren Weisberger’s original novel to see how the characters were envisioned before the actors changed them.
- Watch "The September Issue": Check out this documentary about Anna Wintour to see the real-life inspiration for Miranda Priestly and judge Meryl Streep's accuracy for yourself.
- Track the Careers: Follow the filmography of Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway to see how they utilized their "Prada" momentum to secure Oscar-winning roles later in life.
The cast of The Devil Wears Prada remains a gold standard for ensemble acting in a commercial film. It’s a masterclass in how to elevate a script through sheer talent and specific, bold choices.