‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Star Meryl Streep Reflects on Regret Over One Role

Meryl Streep, often hailed as one of the greatest actresses of all time, has a particular film performance that continues to evoke frustration for her.

Despite receiving critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for her role in the 1981 drama ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman,’ the Hollywood legend admitted she was never entirely satisfied with her portrayal.

Directed by Karel Reisz and based on John Fowles’ novel, the film featured Streep alongside Jeremy Irons. It tells a complex love story between Charles Smithson and Sarah Woodruff, while also showcasing modern actors embodying those same characters during a film production.

Although critics praised her performance, Streep later shared that she personally struggled with the role. In various discussions, including an appearance on ‘The Graham Norton Show,’ she expressed that she never felt a complete connection to her character.

“I didn’t feel I was living it,” Streep reflected. “You always want to do something better after the fact.”

She also mentioned that part of her insecurity stemmed from her appearance in the film. Streep felt that her look did not align with the image she envisioned for the character, particularly given the story’s strong ties to Victorian literature and romance.

“I couldn’t help wishing that I was more beautiful,” she admitted.

Streep explained that an actor’s appearance can significantly influence their ability to immerse themselves in a character. For her, this became a challenge during the making of ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman.’

“There comes a point when you have to look the part, especially in movies,” she elaborated. “In Victorian literature, passion, an illicit feeling, was always represented by darkness.”

The actress also discussed the difficulty of balancing the film’s intricate structure. In the movie, she not only portrayed Sarah Woodruff but also played an American actress embodying a British woman within the story itself. This additional layer of performance made the role feel less authentic to her.

“Part of it was, the structure of it was sort of artificial because I was the actress playing the French Lieutenant’s Woman,” Streep noted. “At the same time I was an American actress playing a British woman.”

Despite her own feelings of disappointment, audiences and critics had a different reaction. The performance garnered Streep a BAFTA win, a Golden Globe award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Over the years, the film has continued to be recognized as one of the standout performances of her illustrious career.

Streep has always been remarkably candid about her doubts and insecurities as an actress. While many performers shy away from critiquing their past work, she has openly discussed the moments where she feels she could have done better.

For most actors, a role celebrated by critics and award shows would be seen as a significant triumph. However, for Meryl Streep, it remains one of the rare performances she still wishes she could revisit and enhance.

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