The world remains charmed by Bridget Jones. Since her first movie in 2001 this British woman's journey through love friendship career and family has resonated deeply. Renée Zellweger an Oscar winner has embodied Bridget across four films. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is now in cinemas internationally from Universal Pictures and available for streaming in the U.S. on Peacock from February 13.
In this new chapter Bridget is a single mother of two after the death of Mark Darcy her husband played by Colin Firth. Her friends and Daniel Cleaver Hugh Grant a former love interest remain in her life. Mad About the Boy brings three new key men into Bridget's world: actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall on screen and director Michael Morris behind the camera.
Michael Morris known for directing To Leslie and TV series like 13 Reasons Why and Better Call Saul directs his first Bridget Jones film. Leo Woodall famous for The White Lotus season two and Prime Target plays Roxster a younger man Bridget meets unexpectedly. Chiwetel Ejiofor celebrated for roles in Love Actually 12 Years a Slave and Marvel's Doctor Strange is Mr. Walliker a teacher at Bridget's children's school who reveals a caring side.
Director Michael Morris on Balancing Comedy and Grief in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Morris discussed directing this romantic comedy noting "I think our sort of hope for this film was that there was an opportunity to make a real comedy of grief. There was going to be the ability to explore both things like comedic and light and joyful and warm and also slightly more tender and just a more profound question than you perhaps always get the chance to do with something like a rom com. This is really a story of a woman coming back to life - like stepping back into her life.”
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall on Joining the Beloved Bridget Jones Universe
Regarding their roles Ejiofor and Woodall shared their excitement about joining Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy . Woodall stated “Well I think getting to be a part of Bridget Jones is a big deal. It’s a great honor. It’s a rarity. So it’s hard to think of saying no or not wanting to do it. I was all-in the second it was possible. I loved Roxster - I loved reading Roxster. I knew he’d be fun to play. Nothing too serious or I wouldn’t have to go to any kind of dark place. I just kind of get to go around smiling and having a good time and swimming and climbing trees. I knew it was going to be fun.”
Ejiofor added “I love the world of Bridget Jones. I was very familiar with the films. The first film especially had a real impact on me when it first came out and was just a blast - always had these great characters. Although people think I think rightly that it’s predominantly geared towards women there were always guys who love the Bridget Jones world - not only because of Bridget and the fact that her kind of chaos and the sort of spinning plates of it all that she does kind of speaks to a lot of people - that it’s okay to be yourself and it’s okay to kind of drop some of those plates along the way and still kind of connect and still win.”
He further noted “Traditionally there has been great male parts in the Bridget Jones films and they are irreplaceable - Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy - but where this for me felt consistent was these guys [Mr. Walliker and Roxster] felt really really well-written and really fun and really kind of had their own interesting dynamics and subtext to play.”
Director Praises the Cast Including New and Returning Actors
Director Morris praised his cast saying “Everyone I’ve cast in this and everyone who I’ve inherited in this is capable of playing whatever you give them. Like Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of - I would count him at the highest level of any actor working in the world today. And Leo as like a new star because I really think he’s a new star - like he’s that he’s all of that. He hangs with anybody and he does it with ease.”
Working with Renée Zellweger: A Central and Welcoming Presence
Ejiofor described working with Zellweger : “Bridget is such a beloved character. There are very few characters that have really taken an audience on such a fun journey - such a lovely journey for that amount of time. For 20-25 years people have connected to this part. With Renée she is just the central cog in all of that. Her connection to Bridget and the two of them are just wrapped around each other. And so when you’re working on the film like this you’re sort of being let in by Bridget Jones but you’re also being let in by Renée and her energy is so warm and welcoming and engaging.”
Woodall echoed this sentiment “I mean Renée is one of the greatest. I was very nervous about my first day with her but she has such a sense of play and spontaneity and just grounded truth that it helps you in your process. You just are so in the moment with her and you just have so much fun.”
Why Bridget Jones Still Captivates Audiences in 2025
Morris reflected on Bridget's lasting appeal: “I remember really clearly - 2001 I was living in London making my own way figuring out how to be who I was going to be and I saw Bridget Jones. In a sea of fabulous male icons like Hugh and Colin and James Callis and Jim Broadbent and all the others I gravitated to Bridget. That’s who I saw myself as. Back in 2001 the world was not asking me to care about my weight or anything like that so I’m not saying I had all of her issues but she was the one who would fall over and stand up and figure it out. She was the one who would more often than not drop the thing she was supposed to not drop. I love that about her and I think that that’s endured. I think it’s very rare to find at the center of a franchise or like a big movie someone who is so unapologetically human. That still continues in this film. Renée has always played her without vanity. She’s always played her as a real person and the house we’ve created for her the environments that we’ve made - there’s a level of chaos in it that I relate to personally.”
Bridget Jones as a Modern Icon for Gen Z and Beyond
Despite originating in the 1990s Bridget Jones resonates with Gen Z. Her struggles with self-acceptance career mishaps and dating dramas feel surprisingly current. Helen Fielding notes the younger generation's interest finding it "comforting" that women in their 20s relate to Bridget’s journey.
Life Lessons Bridget Jones Teaches Gen Z
Bridget offers several life lessons applicable to younger generations.
Self-Acceptance: Bridget is flawed and embraces her chaotic energy. This resonates in a world pressuring constant self-improvement. As Sophie T noted "Having a character with self-acceptance is so important when we are constantly being pressured to change ourselves."
Love and Relationships: Bridget's dating life though often messy shows growth. She learns to value respectful partners and recognize her worth. Noor points out "what I really like is how she (eventually) realises she deserves better. She teaches us you can find a Mr Darcy who loves you 'just as you are'".
Friendship: Bridget's strong female friendships highlight their importance in navigating life's challenges. Yasmin says "Find yourself friends that will eat your blue celery soup! ...it's just about having a supportive group of friends who can tell you when it's time to ditch your toxic Daniel Cleaver-esque situationship."
Career: Bridget's career path though sometimes embarrassing shows ambition and resilience. Hannah comments "To be ambitious and aspirational. A successful career is important to a sense of purpose. You can make mistakes and work through them and you can make bold decisions and take risks."
Addressing Modern Sensibilities: Bridget Jones in 2025
While some aspects of early Bridget Jones like calorie counting may seem dated her core struggles remain relevant. Body image issues and the pressure to find a partner are still present even if expressed differently today. Yasmin acknowledges "Body positivity may be more celebrated now - in fact some women would love 'a bottom the size of two bowling balls' - but being self-conscious about your appearance is a universal feeling that transcends decades."
The new film also tackles contemporary themes like age-gap relationships and grief presenting a Bridget dealing with widowhood and modern dating. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy explores how Bridget navigates these new challenges while retaining her endearing and relatable personality.
Our Take on Bridget Jones's Enduring Appeal
Bridget Jones's continued popularity lies in her unapologetically human nature. Renée Zellweger 's portrayal captures Bridget's blend of humor vulnerability and resilience making her someone audiences genuinely root for. In a world of often flawless characters Bridget Jones remains refreshingly real flawed and ultimately triumphant. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy seems poised to continue this legacy introducing new dimensions to her story while staying true to the heart of what makes Bridget Jones so beloved.