Bridget Jones in the words of Renée Zellweger

"So many things have changed since we started these films." That’s true for every saga, and of course, it applies to Bridget Jones as well. A romantic heroine born from the pen of Helen Fielding and portrayed by Renée Zellweger, the protagonist returns for the fourth film, Mad About the Boy, which explores the themes of reclaiming one's strength, independence, and challenging gender gaps—even when they affect women, as cinema has taught us from Babygirl to this latest chapter. "Like any form of art, films reflect the era in which they are made, following the values and language of the people. Comedy has also changed, with things that were once considered socially acceptable now being reevaluated," explains the actress, born in 1969 and a two-time Academy Award winner.

Bridget Jones in the Words of Renée Zellweger

"That’s why the demands of younger generations, particularly women, are different," Zellweger continues. "Expectations have changed because people have grown up in a world where women hold positions of power and influence. It’s the norm now, not something questioned as it was for past generations who were raised differently. So, it’s only natural to demand respect—for how you’re treated, the roles you take on in society and at work—and this is reflected in both everyday life and in films. And that’s wonderful. We have to keep going!" It is precisely along these lines that Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy follows, creating a bridge back to the protagonist’s cinematic debut twenty-four years ago, when she was torn between the introverted yet charming lawyer Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth, and the provocative, seductive playboy Daniel Cleaver, the timeless Hugh Grant. Once again, we find Bridget caught between two potential love interests—after tragically losing Mark, who had become her husband and the father of their children, Billy and Mabel, before dying on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. On one side, there’s Roxster, a much younger man she meets on Tinder (after an unlikely encounter in the park), played by Leo Woodall, known for another romantic project, the 2024 Netflix series adaptation of One Day. On the other side, a strict and pragmatic science teacher, Mr. Wallaker, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, the lead in the Oscar-winning 2014 film 12 Years a Slave.

What makes Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy so compelling is highlighted by its lead actress: "I believe that every new chapter is a kind of rediscovery of Bridget," she emphasized. In this film, the protagonist must find a way to piece her life back together, juggling a new job, motherhood, and the possibility of a romantic (and even sexual) life. "Each film shows us where she is now, but also where life has taken her. The important thing is that there are parts of her character that haven’t changed," the actress adds. These are the same qualities that continue to make her a cultural icon worldwide, to the point where Zellweger admits she talks about Bridget every day: "Wherever I go, people want to share their experiences of being like or relating to Bridget Jones, and it’s a gift to connect with people you don’t know but with whom you share something in common."

The Importance of Self-Love at Any Age

And perhaps there’s only one question truly worth asking Renée/Bridget: after all these years—since, in its own way, the film also touches on the passage of time—has she finally learned to love herself? "There’s a moment in the film where Bridget makes a choice," Zellweger says. "It’s a decision that doesn’t need words, and in my opinion, that’s where you’ll see how far she’s come. You’ll see it, and I’m sure every fan will recognize the answer to this question."