Meryl Streep breaks barriers for older actresses in major Hollywood roles

Meryl Streep is proving that age is no barrier to starring in major Hollywood films. 

At 76, the Oscar-winning actress is reprising her iconic role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2, set to hit theaters May 1.

Speaking at a press event in Japan alongside co-star Anne Hathaway, Streep reflected on the rarity of seeing women her age lead big movies.

"I do think that there's something in this one that's unusual, because you don't see many 70-, almost 77-year-old women playing parts like this in any movie or under any circumstance," she told The Associated Press with a laugh. "So I'm happy to represent, you know?"

Streep emphasized how older women in Hollywood are often overlooked. "Often women over 50, I'd say, disappear into the woodwork. 

Their interests and opinions are less valued in our culture, so it's fun to see this person who is credibly placed in the world and having that influence," she added.

The sequel reunites much of the original cast, including Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and returning characters played by Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman. 

New cast members include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, and Broadway stars Helen J. Shen and Conrad Ricamora. Adrian Grenier, who played Andy Sachs’ boyfriend in the first film, will not return.

Based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel, the original The Devil Wears Prada followed young journalist Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she navigated the high-pressure world of fashion under the watchful eye of Miranda Priestly. 

Streep’s portrayal earned her an Oscar nomination and cemented the character as one of Hollywood’s most iconic cinematic bosses.