Renée Zellweger may just be the real-life Bridget Jones after all! The actress, who first portrayed the iconic character in Bridget Jones’s Diary back in 2001, has returned to the role for the latest film, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. More than two decades later, Zellweger has grown to identify with Bridget in a way she never did before.
In an interview with Page Six on February 15, Zellweger admitted that over the years, she has come to relate more to her character, especially when it comes to embracing Bridget’s mantra: “fake it ’til you make it.” She shared a lighthearted story about an incident earlier that day when her mic fell off during a TV show taping and slid down her back, only to be saved when it got caught in her skirt. “Luckily it got caught in my skirt!” she laughed. Zellweger explained that this moment exemplified her approach to life, saying the “fake it ’til you make it” mindset is about just going with the flow, doing things without overthinking, and not judging yourself in the process.
In Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Zellweger’s character finds herself in a very different place in life—she’s now a widow and a single mother, leaning on her friends, family, and even her ex, Daniel, for support. The official synopsis teases that Bridget’s journey involves returning to work, dating on apps, and possibly getting involved with a younger man—or even her son’s science teacher. The film shows Bridget’s growth as she transitions from being a homebody to embracing new adventures, with the poignant line “Bridget Jones, it’s time to live” marking her evolution.
Joining Zellweger are familiar faces Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, who reprise their roles as Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy, respectively. New additions to the cast include Leo Woodall, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Isla Fisher, Emma Thompson, Sarah Solemani, and Nico Parker.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is currently playing in select theaters and will soon be available on Peacock’s streaming platform for those who want to relive Bridget’s journey.