Emily Blunt is proving that even in the high-stakes world of fashion, reinvention is key. On Thursday, August 14, the 42-year-old actress unveiled a striking new bleach-blonde bob with a shadow root while filming the highly anticipated sequel to the 2006 hit, The Devil Wears Prada, in New York City. Her transformation marks a dramatic shift from her character Emily Charlton’s iconic deep red locks, signaling a fresh chapter for the former assistant to the formidable Runway magazine Editor-in-Chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep.
Blunt’s on-set ensemble was just as eye-catching as her hair. She sported a black-and-red striped Coach sweater adorned with an apple motif and the letters “N.Y.” embroidered in the center—a playful nod to the film’s bustling Manhattan backdrop. The look was completed with a silver tie, Dior sunglasses, and vibrant red pants, which she later swapped for tights, a black Maison Margiela skirt, and maroon heeled ankle boots for another segment of the shoot. Observers noted that when Blunt appeared on set just a few weeks earlier, on July 29, she was still rocking her signature red hair, suggesting that her character’s hair change will be part of the movie’s storyline.
Emily Charlton, the character Blunt brought to life in the original film, is remembered as the sharp-witted and loyal assistant navigating the demanding world of fashion under Miranda Priestly’s exacting standards. The 2006 movie, adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel of the same name, chronicled the journey of recent college graduate Andy (Anne Hathaway) as she balanced her modest beginnings with the high-octane fashion industry, supported by the ever-charismatic Runway art director Nigel (Stanley Tucci). The story struck a chord for its behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous yet cutthroat fashion world, which was inspired by Weisberger’s own experiences working under Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, who recently retired after 37 years at the magazine.
For the sequel, fans can look forward to seeing Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci reprise their beloved roles. The cast has expanded to include notable names such as Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Simone Ashley, Kenneth Branagh, comedian Caleb Hearon, and Broadway stars Helen J. Shen and Conrad Ricamora. The addition of these actors promises new dynamics, storylines, and even more fashion-forward moments that capture the evolving landscape of the industry.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is slated to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, and anticipation is already building among fans eager to see how the characters they know and love have grown, both personally and professionally, in the years since the original film’s release. With Emily Blunt’s bold hair transformation and the ensemble cast set to bring fresh energy to the sequel, the next chapter of this iconic fashion saga is shaping up to be just as stylish, dramatic, and unforgettable as the first.