Updated: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Miranda Priestly remains one of the most unforgettable characters in modern film and fiction. The formidable editor-in-chief of Runway, brought to life by Meryl Streep, commands every room she enters. Yet behind the icy perfection and legendary “cerulean sweater” speech sits a more complicated personal life. Readers and viewers keep searching for the same answer: who is Miranda Priestly’s husband?
The short version is that Miranda has had more than one. Her marriages shift between the novel, the 2006 film, and the 2026 sequel. Understanding them offers a sharper picture of the woman who seems to have it all—and the quiet costs that come with it.
Table of Contents
Miranda’s Husbands in the Novel and First Film
Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel introduces Miranda with a different personal history than the movie. In the book her husband is Hunter Tomlinson, often called “B-DAD” by the twins. He is a rock musician whose career benefits from the move to New York. The marriage already shows strain; Miranda’s professional intensity leaves little room for ordinary domestic life.
The 2006 film streamlines this. Miranda is married to Stephen (sometimes referenced simply as her second husband). Their relationship stays mostly off-screen until a pivotal late-film moment. Stephen has filed for divorce. The news lands with quiet force. Miranda, usually invincible, reveals a rare crack of vulnerability while speaking to Andy. The scene underlines a central tension: the same drive that built her empire also eroded her marriage.
The Husband We Actually See on Screen
Stephen remains a background presence. We never meet him properly. What we learn comes through Miranda’s controlled reactions and the practical fallout—custody arrangements for the twin daughters, Caroline and Cassidy, and the careful management of appearances. In the high-stakes world of fashion publishing, even personal failure must look deliberate.
This limited portrayal works. It keeps the focus on Miranda’s professional armor while hinting that the armor has weight. Fans still debate whether Stephen was ever a true partner or simply another polished accessory that no longer fit.
Stuart Simmons: The New Chapter in The Devil Wears Prada 2
The 2026 sequel, released theatrically in May and later streaming, gives Miranda a new husband: Stuart Simmons, played by Kenneth Branagh. Stuart is a violinist and composer—artistic, grounded, and notably supportive. He appears as a steady counterpoint to Miranda’s intensity. In one memorable exchange he gently reminds her that the magazine is not her entire world; she also has the twins, a dog, and a husband who seems to understand her.
Casting Branagh was a smart choice. He brings quiet warmth and credibility without competing with Streep’s commanding presence. Early reactions to the sequel note that this relationship softens Miranda without diminishing her edge. She remains formidable, yet the audience sees a version of her who has chosen, or at least accepted, a different kind of partnership.
| Husband | Source | Profession / Role | Status in Story | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Tomlinson | Novel | Rock musician (“B-DAD”) | Earlier marriage | Father of the twins |
| Stephen | 2006 film | Not detailed | Divorcing Miranda | Triggers rare moment of vulnerability |
| Stuart Simmons | 2026 sequel | Violinist and composer | Current husband | Played by Kenneth Branagh; supportive |
What These Marriages Reveal About Miranda
Miranda’s romantic history is never the main plot, yet it quietly shapes her. Each relationship highlights the same trade-off:
- Extreme professional success often collides with personal intimacy.
- The twins remain a constant priority, even when marriages do not last.
- Later in life (as shown in the sequel) she appears more open to a partnership that does not demand she shrink.
These details make her more human without making her soft. The character still delivers withering one-liners and expects excellence. The difference is that audiences now understand the private cost of that excellence.
Conclusion
Miranda Priestly’s husbands—Hunter in the novel, Stephen in the first film, and Stuart Simmons in the 2026 sequel—are not central characters, yet they matter. They show the limits of “having it all” and the quiet evolution of a woman who rarely lets anyone see her uncertainty. Whether you prefer the icy original or the slightly more layered version in the sequel, the question of her husband ultimately points back to Miranda herself: brilliant, demanding, and more complicated than her perfect wardrobe suggests.
For fans revisiting the story in 2026, Stuart Simmons offers a new lens. He does not rewrite Miranda. He simply lets us see another side of the woman who once made “That’s all” feel like a full conversation.