Simone Ashley is opening up about one of the biggest moments of her career — joining the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The 31-year-old British actress plays Amari Mari, the first assistant to the iconic Miranda Priestly, who is again brought to life by the legendary Meryl Streep. And by the sound of it, stepping into that world was nothing short of life-changing.
In a conversation with Vogue, Bridgerton star Ashley described the experience as one of the best summers of her life. She spoke openly about what it felt like to be on set every day with some of the most respected names in Hollywood.
“I was mainly with Meryl and Stanley [Tucci],” she said. “I learned so much from just observing how everyone worked. They’re just masters of their craft.”
The production took the crew to some incredible locations. The team began filming on the streets of Manhattan, which Ashley described as an exciting and at times overwhelming experience. Crowds of thousands would gather just to catch a glimpse of the shoot. She compared those moments to performing live on a theatre stage.
From New York, the cast and crew then moved into studios to recreate the famous Runway magazine offices before heading across the ocean to the fashion capital of Italy — Milan.
Ashley also praised the creative team behind the film, including director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, saying she gained valuable insight just from watching how the professionals around her worked.
The film’s world, she noted, is deeply rooted in New York fashion culture — sharp, stylish, and soaked in a kind of hyper-real chicness that sets the tone for everything on screen.
Ashley was so taken by New York City during filming that she actually moved there. She relocated in May or June to begin preparation ahead of the shoot — and never looked back.
Best known for her breakout roles in Sex Education and Bridgerton, Ashley has seen her career rise rapidly in recent years. But she is quick to remind fans that the journey was anything but overnight.
“To the world, it seems like it was something that happened very quickly. But for me, it was something I’ve been working on since I was 18,” she said. “Bridgerton was definitely a catalyst — things started moving really quickly.”
Beyond the film itself, Ashley — who has Tamil Indian heritage — has become an important figure for South Asian representation in Hollywood. She believes there is still a long road ahead when it comes to inclusion, but she sees her presence on screen as a statement in itself.
“Just doing the work that I’m doing proves that women who look like me can have a seat at the table,” she said.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is one of the most anticipated sequels in recent memory, and with a cast this strong and stories like this coming out of the set, the excitement surrounding it is only growing.