Adrian Grenier exits Devil Wears Prada sequel, won’t reprise Nate role

Adrian Grenier is not reprising his role as Nate in The Devil Wears Prada 2, EW confirms with exclusive sources.

Adrian Grenier will not reprise his role as Nate Cooper in the upcoming sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed with two sources familiar with the production.

The sequel to the 2006 hit film is currently in production and set for release in 2026.

While original cast members Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are expected to return, Grenier’s character — long debated by fans as the “real villain” for his unsupportive behavior toward Hathaway’s Andy Sachs — will not appear in the sequel.

The original film, directed by David Frankel and based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel, followed Andy Sachs as she navigated the world of high fashion journalism under the leadership of the fearsome Miranda Priestly. The story culminates in Andy and Nate’s strained relationship resolving just as she quits her demanding job and moves to Boston with him.

Despite a long-standing debate about Nate’s role in the story, Grenier previously acknowledged fan criticism, admitting in a 2021 EW interview that Nate’s behavior was immature and selfish. However, sources say his character will not be part of the next chapter.

Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna are both returning for the sequel. Plot details remain under wraps, but the production is set to continue through the summer. Entertainment Weekly reached out to representatives for Grenier and parent company Disney, but no official comment has been made at this time.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is slated for release in 2026.