Behind icy glare of Miranda Priestly

Emily Blunt reveals how Meryl Streep's distance shaped a defining screen dynamic

Emily Blunt's candid recollection of her early days on the set of 'The Devil Wears Prada' offers a revealing glimpse into the intensity behind one of modern cinema's most memorable performances, just as the film's long-awaited sequel prepares for release.

Speaking during a SiriusXM Front Row reunion hosted by Andy Cohen, Blunt admitted she was "quite scared" of co-star Meryl Streep while filming the original 2006 hit, citing the formidable atmosphere created by Streep's process.

Blunt, who portrayed the sharp-tongued assistant Emily Charlton, said Streep appeared to remain firmly in character as the icy editor Miranda Priestly, even when cameras were not rolling, lending the set an air of quiet tension.

"She was in a Miranda zone," Blunt recalled, explaining that while Streep was approachable, she maintained a noticeable emotional distance, rarely breaking into the warmth and humour colleagues might have expected off-camera.

Streep did not dispute the observation, confirming she had deliberately cultivated "a slight remove" to embody Priestly's authority, a choice that shaped both her performance and the dynamic felt across the production.

The veteran actor described spending time observing scenes before stepping in, carefully calibrating her presence to project control and detachment, qualities central to the character's commanding editorial persona within the fictional Runway magazine.

That creative decision, however, came at a personal cost. Streep acknowledged occasionally feeling separated from the camaraderie of her co-stars, hearing their laughter from a distance while remaining anchored in character.

For Blunt, then a relatively unknown actor, the experience proved both intimidating and formative, influencing her portrayal of a perpetually anxious assistant navigating the pressures of a demanding boss.

Over time, the initial unease gave way to familiarity, and Blunt has since credited the film's director David Frankel with transforming her career by casting her in a role that expanded her range beyond period dramas.

The renewed attention arrives as 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' approaches its global release, revisiting its iconic characters against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving media landscape shaped by the decline of print publishing.

In the sequel, Priestly confronts industry upheaval while Blunt's character emerges as a powerful executive, setting the stage for a sharper, more complex rivalry that mirrors the shifting realities of fashion and media alike.