Emily Blunt Brings Back Her Iconic Red-Haired Assistant Look While Filming The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York

29 July 2025

Blunt wore her character’s signature red hair. Robert O'Neil / BACKGRID

Emily Blunt was spotted on July 29 in New York City filming scenes for The Devil Wears Prada 2, marking her first appearance since production began and fans were thrilled to see her return as Emily Charlton, sporting the character’s iconic red hair and fashion‑forward styling that hint at her character’s evolution. The 42‑year‑old actress appeared on camera in a sleek black-and-white ensemble consisting of a form‑fitting corset-style top and matching trousers paired with a crisp Dior button‑down, sunglasses and elegant accessories that evoked Emily’s sharp aesthetic from the original film while signaling a modern twist on her Runway‑savvy persona.

Blunt’s return alongside co‑stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci adds momentum to the film’s highly anticipated production, which officially began in late July under the code name “Cerulean.” The sequel is expected to follow Miranda Priestly, the indomitable magazine editor played by Streep, as she navigates a diminished publishing landscape while relying on Emily who has ascended to become an executive at a luxury brand that advertises with Runway to bolster the magazine’s fortunes.

Meanwhile Hathaway was seen in a pinstriped vest and trousers from Jean Paul Gaultier, mirroring Blunt’s ensemble, while Streep cut a classy figure in a tailored Lanvin coat and designer pencil skirt a sartorial quartet that immediately elevates the set to runway status. Stanley Tucci has also been spotted reprising his role as Nigel in his trademark tailored suit, reinforcing the film’s commitment to sartorial authenticity.

Perhaps the most notable visual shift is Emily’s red hair a bold return to the shade intimated by her character’s persona, though now styled in a soft, modern lob that distinguishes her from the ultra-polished assistant she once was. The combination of pinstripes, corsets and bold hair reinforces narrative speculation that Emily Charlton has evolved into someone wielding power on the fashion hierarchy, now inhabiting leadership within a luxury conglomerate rather than serving Miranda’s rigid world. The new look has fans buzzing about character development and evolution in the nearly two-decade gap since the original film’s release in 2006.

Social media erupted with praise, with one fan on X writing “EMILY CHARLTON IS BACK!!!!!” and another noting “the red hair is giving.” Many expressed excitement at the costume detail as a signal of character depth, with fans stating that Emily’s evolving wardrobe will be one of the most anticipated elements in the sequel. Another user commented “this is the only character I have high expectations for in terms of wardrobe,” underscoring how integral costume is to the film’s legacy of fashion storytelling.

Casting updates reinforce the original ensemble’s return with Emily joined by Hathaway, Streep, and Tucci, and new additions including Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley, B. J. Novak and Pauline Chalamet. Adrian Grenier, who played Andy Sachs’s boyfriend Nate in the first film, is not expected to return. In a report, it is suggested that Andy has moved on and found a new romantic interest, portrayed by Australian actor Patrick Brammall, reflecting both continuity and narrative time passage in Andy’s arc.

For the original fans, the filming in Manhattan with its unmistakable New York backdrop serves as both nostalgic callback and fresh canvas. Costume design appears as sharp as ever, and the reappearance of Emily Charlton in power suiting and luxury branding suggests the sequel may explore high fashion from the inside out. These early glimpses point to a continuation of the film’s celebration of fashion as storytelling device a visual banquet for fans who remember the atelier world of the original deeply.

With a May 1, 2026 release date confirmed, filming has only just begun, yet the buzz is already palpable. Costumes, casting, and styling are clearly being handled with reverence for the original while allowing for evolution. Emily Blunt’s presence in pinstripe corsets and that signature red hair confirms that fashion isn’t just decoration it is narrative currency for The Devil Wears Prada 2.