Devil Wears Prada star Emily Blunt says it was tough being mean to Anne Hathaway

Emily Blunt’s snippy, sarcastic, would-die-for-fashion (or, at least, get hit by a car for it) Runway assistant Emily is one of the highlights of The Devil Wears Prada, and the actress said the role was as enjoyable for her to play as it is for everyone else to watch.

“I had so much fun with that part it was just mind-blowing,” she told EW and People editorial director Jess Cagle on Sirius XM’s EW Radio.

Playing Emily necessitated bossing around Runway’s newest (and least fashion-conscious) employee, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), which was apparently easier said than done.

When asked if it was hard being mean to Hathaway while filming Prada, Blunt replied, “With those lovely doe eyes of hers? Very hard!”

Emily and Andy both assisted Runway editor Miranda Priestley, played by Meryl Streep with a withering stare and razor-sharp takedowns (and a killer wardrobe to go with them). Blunt said it was “fascinating” watching the Oscar-winner create the role.

“I remember that first table read and she just submarined [everything] — she didn’t even raise her voice, it was so frightening,” the actress recalled. “It was just so fascinating, and I think it’s actually one of my favorite things she’s ever done.”

Listen below for more of Blunt’s Devil-ish stories, including who she based the Emily character on.

Emily Blunt can currently be seen in Sicario, which expands to wide theatrical release on Friday.

The Jess Cagle Show with guest Emily Blunt premieres Thursday at 2 p.m. ET on EW Radio on Sirius XM, channel 105, and will be available any time after at siriusxm.com/ondemand.