The Devil Wears Prada 2: Every Character's Story Arc, Explained

The Devil Wears Prada 2: Every Character’s Major Story Arc Explained

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re breaking down every major character arc in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” explaining how the core four have evolved between movies. Naturally, there will be spoilers.

Andy Sachs

Both movies open with Andy looking into a mirror, reflecting an overarching theme: the person staring back may be identical now, but they won’t stay the same forever. At the original’s conclusion, Andy hangs onto her integrity and morality, choosing not to follow Miranda Priestly’s glamorous yet calculating path. Andy fulfills her dreams, spending the next twenty years traveling as a journalist. That’s not to say she didn’t bring any of the lessons she learned from Runway with her. She’s developed a stronger sense of style, showcasing the confidence she found at Runway. Although Andy appears to be at the pinnacle of her success, she finds out that her entire department is being sacked, ironically while accepting an award.

Andy’s predicament speaks to where journalism is now. It doesn’t matter if you turn in consistently strong work. If you’re not getting the necessary clicks or your corporate overlords see an area where they can cut costs, you can be let go with a mere text. In a time when many are afraid to speak the truth, journalists with a unique perspective have never been more necessary. Yet, the powers that be may prefer AI-generated content that costs less and doesn’t think outside the box. As Andy tries to figure out where she fits into this changing media landscape, she reflects on her life choices. She never had kids, as she never met the right guy. So, at least she didn’t get back with Nate!

Although Andy romances an Aussie named Peter, she’s married to her job. In that sense, she’s more like Miranda than either realizes. Both love working, and the idea of losing the profession they value terrifies them. Thus, it’s fitting that Andy would find herself back at Runway, working alongside Miranda again as their features editor. While no longer a scrappy assistant, Andy still struggles to win Miranda’s approval. Runway isn’t a safety net either, going through its own hardships in the digital era, where saying or doing something wrong can get the most influential people cancelled. Andy’s ethics are what the brand needs, but Runway also requires someone who’ll fight for survival. Again, this is where Andy and Miranda are surprisingly similar.

Nigel Kipling

Of the four leads, Miranda’s right hand has perhaps changed the least. That’s not to say new layers to the character aren’t unearthed in the sequel. When we last saw Nigel, he learned that Jacqueline Follet would be getting the job that Miranda promised him. Nigel told Andy that Miranda would pay him back, but he knew he was lying to himself. Two decades later, Nigel is in the same position, although he seems content. While he would’ve liked to move up, he loves Runway, he admires Miranda, and he’s grateful to still be working. That said, Nigel realizes that his days in the industry may be numbered. Working behind the scenes, Nigel helps to ensure his survival along the Runway’s.

It’s revealed that Nigel orchestrated Andy getting the features job at Runway. Nigel was among the few people who saw there was more to Andy than her lumpy blue sweater. With some tough love and guidance, Nigel helped Andy unlock her potential. Now, he brings Andy back into the fold, knowing that she can challenge Miranda in ways no one else can. Miranda remains a fighter, but she’s never been more uncertain of her future. She needs someone like Andy to reignite the flame within. Nigel thus serves as a guardian angel, ironically working with the devil. He’s rewarded for his loyalty this time, as Miranda allows Nigel to take her place at a Milan event while she goes to save Runway with Andy.

Emily Charlton

Miranda’s old first assistant has changed the most in some regards. In others, she’s still the same Emily. No longer at Runway, Emily has since become Dior’s senior executive. With Dior funding Runway, the power dynamics are reversed, with Miranda answering to her, albeit reluctantly. Emily has two kids, although her ex-husband almost makes us nostalgic for Nate. Dating the wealthy Benji Barnes, it seems Emily has it all, but there’s still one thing she wants: Runway. Betraying Andy’s trust, Emily arranges a deal for Benji to buy Runway, seemingly saving it from being shut down. What Andy doesn’t realize is that Benji is buying Runway for Emily to run, pushing Miranda out.

Although this paints Emily in a more antagonistic light, we see where she’s coming from. She worked hard at Runway, yet Miranda never showed any gratitude. She even chose to take Andy to Paris Fashion Week, crushing Emily’s dream. She has a difficult time disliking Andy, who did generously give Emily all of her Paris clothes. Emily has no loyalty to Miranda, though, feeling she forced her out of Runway. Even with the revelation that Emily is taking her job, Miranda doesn’t break down. Rather, she bluntly tells Emily why she couldn’t cut it at Runway and why she’s incapable of running it now. Emily is left speechless with Miranda getting the last two words: That’s all!

Whether or not Emily gets Runway, there’s one thing she can’t have: Miranda’s respect, which Andy earns in both films, even if Miranda doesn’t say it out loud. Benji’s offer is ultimately rejected, as his ex-wife, Sasha, rescues Runway, guaranteeing Miranda isn’t going anywhere. Andy meets Emily for lunch shortly after. With a new hairdo and position, Emily reveals that Benji dumped her. She also shares that after Andy left Runway, Emily called her. Andy assumed it was a pocket dial, but Emily thought maybe they could be pals. Despite their differences, Andy - who can even see the good in the devil - still feels their potential for friendship. Despite her lavish facade, Emily’s world is lonely. In Andy, she may’ve found a true friend she can share carbs with.

Miranda Priestly

In the first film, the world revolved around Miranda. With the world changing, Miranda must also adapt. Due to HR complaints, Miranda can no longer throw her coats on her assistant’s desk or say certain things to her subordinates. She has to consider online backlash as well. At least Miranda’s personal life has improved. She has a new husband in Kenneth Branagh’s Stuart, who’s patient, understanding, and doesn’t mind being Mr. Miranda Priestly. Miranda also genuinely loves him, although both know that she loves working above all else. As legendary as Miranda is in the fashion industry, legacy doesn’t mean much to billionaires who only see the world in numbers. Even Miranda can be talked down to without having a scathing comeback.

When Miranda finds out that Runway may be taken away from her, she isn’t just concerned about self-preservation. She’s heartbroken by the notion that the new owners will erase everything she’s built, leaving Runway - and the industry as a whole - in ruins. Last time, Miranda had a plan up her sleeve when it appeared she’d be replaced. In the sequel, Miranda isn’t entirely sure how to navigate this changing world, almost rolling over. This is where Andy comes in. While fashion is where Miranda excels, she’s still technically a journalist, being a fashion magazine’s editor-in-chief. This provides common ground between Andy and Miranda. When Miranda is at her lowest, Andy helps her remember that their profession is worth preserving.

Another plan is hatched, but Miranda doesn’t work alone this time. Miranda and Andy arrange for Sasha to buy Runway and its parent company. When Andy returned to Runway, it seemed like she was back at square one with Miranda. By the sequel’s end, though, the two are on a more even playing field. That’s not to say Miranda now views Andy as her equal. Let’s be honest, nobody is on Miranda’s level. Regardless, Miranda has developed respect for her former assistant, so much so that she gives Andy her blessing to write a tell-all book (which, of course, she knew about). Andy instead chooses to keep working with Miranda, finding that a devil and an angel can make for a surprisingly good team.

Which character do you think grew the most in “The Devil Wears Prada 2?” Let us know in the comments.