Anne Hathaway continues to reshape her versatile acting career with an impressive slate of projects set to release in 2026, firmly establishing her as a dominant force in entertainment. Her expanding range not only spans film but also extends into television and theater, reflecting a commitment to exploring every dimension of acting.
Anne Hathaway’s Upcoming Diverse Roles in 2026
Over the next year, Hathaway will headline several highly anticipated productions. She is set to reprise her role in The Devil Wears Prada 2, star alongside Josh Hartnett in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Verity, join the ensemble cast of Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey, and appear in the science fiction thriller Flowervale Street. Additionally, Hathaway will transform herself into a pop star for David Lowery’s new musical thriller, Mother Mary. Such a broad variety of genres within one year highlights her ability to undertake vastly different roles.
From Disney Star to a Multifaceted Performer
Hathaway’s career trajectory highlights a remarkable evolution from her beginnings in Disney’s The Princess Diaries into an actor capable of tackling R-rated comedies, intense action films, musicals, and serious dramas. Her range has drawn both acclaim and criticism, but it underscores her refusal to be boxed into a single type of role. This flexibility is unusual, especially for an actor of her caliber, and speaks to her ambition within the industry.
Expanding Horizons Beyond the Big Screen
Beyond movies, Hathaway has demonstrated her talents on television and stage. Recently, she co-starred with Jared Leto in the Apple TV+ limited series WeCrashed, while maintaining a presence in theater. She credits the example of established actors who fluidly work across mediums as a source of inspiration.
When I was coming up as an actress, I always observed that British actors weren’t film actors, and they weren’t TV actors and they weren’t theatre actors, they were actors,
Hathaway explained.
Someone like Helen Mirren, and there are no actual adjectives to describe Helen Mirren because she’s just Helen Mirren, she would do limited series, she would do film, and she be on stage.
Helen Mirren as a Model of Artistic Versatility
Hathaway’s admiration for Helen Mirren highlights the qualities she strives for in her own career. Mirren, a British theater star who smoothly transitioned to cinema, gained Hollywood’s attention with her role opposite Harrison Ford in The Mosquito Coast. Her extensive accomplishments include four Academy Award nominations and a Best Actress win for The Queen. Mirren’s career spans stage productions, television, and big-budget films, demonstrating a rare fluidity across performance forms.
Mirren’s recent roles emphasize her continued willingness to explore various genres. Last year, she reunited with Harrison Ford for Taylor Sheridan’s western series 1923, and took on a role as a dangerous criminal in Guy Ritchie’s show Mobland on Paramount Plus. Her success in winning Tonys for Shakespeare and appearing in the Fast and the Furious franchise highlights a broad artistic ambition that few match.
Hathaway’s Ambitions and Future Prospects
While Helen Mirren’s reputation is extraordinary, Anne Hathaway’s pursuit of similar breadth indicates her determination to carve out a distinctive path. Both actresses appeared in different episodes of the anthology series Solos, suggesting a shared respect that might lead to future collaboration. Hathaway’s varied upcoming roles and her dedication to mastering diverse acting mediums underscore her drive to become a truly multifaceted performer in Hollywood.
