On August 5, 2025, New York City’s Brooklyn streets became the backdrop for a heartwarming glimpse into the highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, as Anne Hathaway was photographed filming romantic scenes with Australian actor Patrick Brammall, who is set to play Andy Sachs’s new love interest. The 42-year-old actress, reprising her iconic role from the 2006 cult classic, dazzled in a shimmering blue dress, twirling and laughing alongside Brammall in what appears to be a lighthearted date-night sequence. With production in full swing and the return of fan-favorite stars like Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, the sequel is shaping up to be a stylish and emotionally charged continuation of the fashion-world saga. Here’s a deep dive into the romantic set photos, Brammall’s role, the evolving story of Andy Sachs, and what fans can expect when The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters on May 1, 2026.
A Romantic Moment in Brooklyn
The set photos, captured outside the iconic Long Island Bar & Restaurant in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, show Hathaway and Brammall fully immersed in their characters. Hathaway, as Andy Sachs, wore a sleeveless, cobalt-blue Rabanne dress from the Resort 2026 collection, paired with open-toed blue pumps and a silver clutch. Her long, dark hair flowed in elegant waves, and her makeup—featuring blue eyeshadow and a rosy pink lip—complemented the vibrant ensemble. Brammall, 49, looked dapper in a navy suit with a light blue button-up and black dress shoes, exuding a relaxed yet polished charm. The pair was seen strolling hand-in-hand at sunset, with Hathaway flashing a beaming smile as Brammall twirled her around a street corner, evoking a playful, romantic vibe.
In one particularly charming moment, Hathaway’s Andy gripped a silver pillar attached to a building before running into Brammall’s arms, suggesting a scene filled with spontaneity and affection. Another shot captured them arm-in-arm, deep in conversation, hinting at a budding connection. The chemistry between the two actors was palpable, with PEOPLE noting that they appeared “deep in character” as they locked hands and danced in the street. Fans on X were quick to react, with one user, @etnow, posting, “The way Andy Sachs’ new love interest has her dancing in the street. 😭 Anne Hathaway dazzled in a dress by Rabanne while filming a romantic date night with The Devil Wears Prada 2 newcomer Patrick Brammall.” The images have sparked excitement about Andy’s new romantic arc, especially given the polarizing reception of her original love interest, Nate Cooper.
Patrick Brammall: Andy’s New Leading Man
Patrick Brammall, best known for co-creating and starring in the Australian rom-com series Colin from Accounts, steps into the spotlight as Andy’s new love interest, replacing Adrian Grenier’s Nate, who will not return for the sequel. Brammall, also recognized for roles in Glitch, Offspring, and Evil, brings a fresh dynamic to the franchise. While details about his character remain under wraps, Entertainment Weekly reported in July 2025 that Brammall’s role is designed to be likable, a deliberate contrast to Nate, whom many fans criticized as unsupportive of Andy’s journalism career. Grenier himself acknowledged the backlash in a 2021 EW interview, admitting, “I didn’t see some of the subtleties and the nuance of this character… Nate hadn’t grown up, but Andy had.”
The set photos suggest Brammall’s character is a more grounded, supportive partner for Andy, with moments like the street dance evoking a sense of joy and freedom absent from her strained relationship with Nate in the original film. Speculation on X and outlets like Glamour suggests he could be a down-to-earth figure—possibly outside the fashion world—given his casual yet stylish “Canadian tuxedo” in another set photo, where Hathaway wore a sleek black jumpsuit with studded details. Vogue pondered whether his character might be “another fashion-world acquaintance” or a “more down-to-earth type,” noting that the Brooklyn setting aligns with Andy’s relatable, less Manhattan-elite persona. The choice of Long Island Bar, a neighborhood staple, fuels theories that Andy may now live in Brooklyn, reflecting her evolution since leaving Runway for a journalism career.
The Sequel’s Plot and Returning Cast
The Devil Wears Prada 2, directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, both returning from the 2006 original, picks up years after Andy left Runway magazine to join a New York newspaper. According to Variety, the sequel follows Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) as she navigates the decline of traditional magazine publishing, facing off against Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), now a high-powered executive at a luxury group with advertising dollars Miranda desperately needs. Andy’s role in this dynamic remains unclear, but set photos suggest she’s thriving in a fashion-forward phase, with outfits like the Rabanne dress and a pinstripe vest suit indicating confidence and style.
The core cast reunites Meryl Streep as Miranda, Emily Blunt as Emily, Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling, Tracie Thoms as Andy’s best friend Lily, and Tibor Feldman as Elias-Clark chairman Irv Ravitz. New additions include Kenneth Branagh as Miranda’s husband, alongside Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Simone Ashley, Pauline Chalamet, Rachel Bloom, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, and Conrad Ricamora in undisclosed roles. Vogue noted a Met Gala-esque scene filmed at the Museum of Natural History, with Streep in a dramatic red gown, hinting at high-stakes fashion moments. The return of fan-favorite characters and the introduction of fresh faces promise a blend of nostalgia and new rivalries, with Andy’s romantic arc adding a personal layer to the story.
Andy Sachs’s Evolution and Fan Reactions
The original Devil Wears Prada, based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, followed Andy Sachs as a college graduate thrust into the cutthroat world of Runway magazine under Miranda Priestly’s icy reign. Her relationship with Nate, a chef played by Grenier, crumbled under the pressures of her job, with fans later criticizing Nate as the “real villain” for his lack of support. The sequel, inspired by Weisberger’s 2013 novel Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, shows Andy in a new chapter, with Hathaway’s set photos reflecting a more confident, stylish persona. Her outfits, from the glittering Rabanne dress to a Phoebe Philo-inspired vest suit, suggest she’s embraced fashion on her own terms, free from Miranda’s control.
Fan reactions to the romantic scenes have been mixed but largely enthusiastic. On X, @anniecrave shared images of Hathaway and Streep filming, captioned, “Miranda! 🗣️ Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep filming The Devil Wears Prada 2 in NYC,” amplifying excitement. However, some fans, as noted by The Mirror US, found Andy’s new romance “boring” compared to the high drama of the original, while others praised the fresh energy, with one user writing, “Honestly, the fashion I’m seeing on Instagram and here is GIVING. I’m seated.” The debate over Nate’s absence continues, with Grenier’s 2021 EW comments resurfacing: “All those memes that came out were shocking to me… Nate was very selfish and self-involved.”
Production and Fashion Highlights
Filming for The Devil Wears Prada 2 began on June 30, 2025, in New York City, with the production codenamed “Cerulean,” a nod to Miranda’s iconic monologue from the original. Set photos have showcased the sequel’s fashion-forward approach, with Hathaway’s Andy sporting high-end looks like a Jemma Wynne diamond necklace, Gabriela Hearst pumps, and Paris Texas stiletto boots. Blunt’s Emily, spotted in a pinstripe suit over a gray corset with Christian Dior accessories, and Streep’s Miranda, in a red gown at a gala scene, promise a visual feast. Vogue highlighted the “spectrum of aesthetics,” from Phoebe Philo tailoring to glamorous gowns, noting that the sequel reflects the evolving fashion industry in a digital age.
The Brooklyn setting, particularly Cobble Hill, adds a new dimension to Andy’s story. Glamour speculated that her move from Manhattan to Brooklyn reflects her grounded nature, contrasting with the elite world of Runway. Brammall’s character, with his navy suit and denim look, may represent a balance between style and accessibility, aligning with Andy’s growth. The romantic scenes, described by India Today as “playful” and “lighthearted,” suggest a healthier relationship dynamic, with Hathaway’s joyful expressions a stark contrast to Andy’s stress-filled Runway days.
Why It Matters
The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives nearly 20 years after the original, which grossed $326 million worldwide and earned Streep an Oscar nomination. The sequel, set for release on May 1, 2026, coincides with the film’s 20th anniversary, amplifying its cultural significance. Andy’s new romance with Brammall’s character offers a fresh perspective, addressing fan criticisms of Nate while showcasing her evolution as a confident professional and romantic partner. The return of Frankel and McKenna, who told EW in 2021 that a sequel would need to reflect the changed media landscape, ensures a story that’s both nostalgic and relevant.
The set photos have also sparked discussion about the fashion industry’s digital shift, with Vogue noting that “being into, or working in, fashion is nothing like it once was.” Andy’s journey, now potentially outside the traditional publishing world, may explore themes of reinvention and independence, mirrored by her stylish yet authentic romance. As one X user, @pinkstape, lamented, “They had to cook up some heiress/working class romance no one was hungry for,” but the majority are thrilled, with @ResonantJustice praising the cast’s evident joy on set.
Final Thoughts
Anne Hathaway’s romantic scenes with Patrick Brammall on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2 have ignited excitement for the sequel, offering a glimpse of Andy Sachs’s new chapter in love and fashion. Filmed in Brooklyn’s vibrant Cobble Hill, the lighthearted moments—twirling, embracing, and strolling arm-in-arm—suggest a healthier, more joyful romance for Andy, with Brammall’s likable character replacing the controversial Nate. With Streep, Blunt, and Tucci returning, alongside new faces like Branagh and Liu, the film promises a stylish blend of nostalgia and fresh drama. As production continues and the May 1, 2026, release date approaches, fans are eagerly dissecting every photo for clues, ready to dive back into the chic, cutthroat world of The Devil Wears Prada.
