It is 20 years – yes two entire decades – since The Devil Wears Prada first captured our imagination and viewers are more than ready for its follow-up, The Devil Wears Prada 2, released on May 1.
Meanwhile, the second series of Jilly Cooper's ebullient, frothy Rivals adaptation, which starts on May 15, couldn't be a better antidote to the national mood.
Here, whether you are after a trip to the flicks or fancy some time on the sofa, we unpick the perks of each.
Image: Disney Plus+
The Casts
All the original big hitters, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, return for the Devil Wears Prada sequel but this time they have Justin Theroux and Kenneth Branagh in tow. Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, Emily Atack, David Tennant and Nafessa Williams are back doing their brilliant thing in Rivals, and they've added Rupert Everett and Hayley Attwell to their number.
The Costumes
The styling in both sequels promises to thrill. In The Devil Wears Prada, costume designer Molly Rogers (a protégée of doyenne Patricia Field) mixes vintage pieces with contemporary fashion brands. Rivals, on the other hand, reprises its big hair, shoulder pads, ruffles and stilettos, thanks to the humour, and thorough research, of costume designer Ray Holman.
The Sets
In Rivals, where filming locations included Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, prepare to ogle at Cotswold mansions, polo matches and parties, all with a wonderfully 1980s hue. The Devil Wears Prada has cooked up a different feast for our eyes, with the glamour of Long Island, New York City and Milan on the menu.
The Soundtracks
While Lady Gaga and Doechii created the perfect original song, Runway, for The Devil Wears Prada, the Rivals soundtrack is another riot of rousing 80s classics. The combination is sure to dominate the nation's summer playlists.
The Messages
Amid the slick, joyful, upbeat entertainment of it all, both productions ponder a similar question: how do you stay relevant when the world you understand is disappearing?
Frequently Asked Questions
When are The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Rivals season 2 released?
The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives in cinemas on 1 May 2026, while Rivals returns for its second series on 15 May 2026 on Disney+.
Do you need to have seen the originals first?
It helps, particularly for the character dynamics in The Devil Wears Prada, but both are expected to stand on their own with enough context for new viewers.
Are the original casts returning?
Yes. The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings back its central quartet, while Rivals reunites its core ensemble, alongside a handful of well-judged new additions in both.
Where can you watch each one?
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a cinema release, while Rivals will be available to stream on Disney+.
What can we expect in terms of tone and style?
Expect glossy escapism in both: Prada leans into high-fashion polish and sharp wit, while Rivals offers a more playful, high-drama take on 1980s excess—big characters, bigger hair, and plenty of mischief.
