Renée Zellweger is opening up about the evolution of her iconic character in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. In an interview with Pedestrian TV, she explained why the new film moves away from Bridget’s past fixation on weight. "There’s going to be an obvious evolution," Zellweger said, adding that Bridget, now a single mother, "doesn’t have the luxury of obsessing about certain things."
The actress praised author Helen Fielding for addressing how women are bombarded with societal expectations. "It was never about changing Bridget," Zellweger said, noting that Bridget’s vulnerability and authenticity have always been her strengths.
The upcoming film, which premieres on Peacock on February 13, follows Bridget years after the death of her husband, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Now a widow raising two children, Bridget finds herself unexpectedly drawn to two new men: a younger man (played by Leo Woodall) and her son’s teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Speaking about the film’s emotional depth, Zellweger told PEOPLE: "The script was so beautifully written that the emotion sneaks up on you. It’s rare and wonderful when a film takes you in a familiar direction and then surprises you."
Despite the sadness of Mark’s absence (with Firth appearing only in flashbacks), the film captures the heart of Bridget’s story — embracing life’s messiness with humor, heart, and hope. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy streams exclusively on Peacock starting February 13.
