Renée Zellweger reflects on Bridget Jones farewell as she closes the chapter on a character she’s embodied for over twenty years. In the new and final installment,
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,”
audiences witness a more mature and introspective Bridget, with Zellweger sharing deeply personal moments about the process of letting go at a recent screening in Los Angeles.
For over two decades, Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget Jones has captured hearts globally. The fourth chapter, streamed in the U.S. on Peacock, stands out by showcasing a Bridget who is navigating grief, hope, and transformation, marking a major milestone for the franchise and for Zellweger herself.
Zellweger’s Emotional Farewell and Reflections on Character Growth
Throughout her time as Bridget, Zellweger has cherished the character’s complexity and relatability. Her attachment to Bridget was evident as she addressed the audience at the FYC screening event.
“I love her vulnerability, and I love to find spaces where she’s just not quite feeling that she measures up, and the opportunity to meet her again in different stages of her life and to learn how she’s different.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
The final film serves as a tribute to the journey Bridget and her fans have taken together, highlighting not only character evolution but also the power of storytelling over a quarter century.
The director, Michael Morris, echoed Zellweger’s sentiments as he introduced the movie to audiences at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Morris hoped the film would draw viewers fully into Bridget’s story and evoke genuine reactions, showcasing the depth that has defined the franchise.
“I hope it immerses you in her world,”
– Michael Morris, Director
“I hope it brings you whatever feelings it brings you.”
– Michael Morris, Director
Morris considered the new film not merely as an ending, but as a meditation on love, loss, and celebration. He described working on the project as “a joy,” reflecting the special place the character and franchise hold for both creators and fans alike.
Mark Darcy’s Farewell and Zellweger’s Unforgettable On-Set Moment
Joining Morris after the screening, Zellweger spoke candidly about saying goodbye, focusing on one particularly emotional moment: spotting Colin Firth as Mark Darcy for the final time. The finality of that moment reinforced for Zellweger just how deeply the shared experience had affected her.
“It just got me. I didn’t expect to be so emotional about the end of this shared journey with my friend … the finality of it just really was a gut punch. … It sounds so silly, but it felt very profound in the moment,”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
Even as she laughed about her strong connection to Bridget and Mark Darcy, Zellweger admitted the intensity of those emotions.
“Maybe I’m crazy because maybe I love a fictional character,”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
“I didn’t want Mark Darcy to go away.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
This vulnerable moment illustrates how the roles played by Zellweger and Firth, and their dynamic, have anchored the series’ emotional impact from the very start.
Honoring the Legacy of Bridget Jones’ Relationships
As the story said farewell to Mark Darcy, questions about other iconic relationships naturally followed. Zellweger fondly discussed working with her longtime costar, Hugh Grant, who played Daniel Cleaver. She recalled first seeing him on screen while living in a dormitory in Austin and being immediately taken with his charm.
“I would sneak down there and watch all of the animation festivals that would come through,”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
“And here’s this guy playing Chopin … in Impromptu.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
“When I heard he was in this Bridget Jones film that I was going to go and do in England. … I think I had a heart attack.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
Although Grant’s character was never the intended soulmate for Bridget, “Mad About the Boy” finds a way to honor the important role he played in her journey. Morris noted this with admiration for the nuanced storytelling that allowed Daniel Cleaver to remain part of Bridget’s extended family.
“Of course, she couldn’t have ended up with Daniel,”
– Michael Morris, Director
“But she sort of did. Because he became part of her family.”
– Michael Morris, Director
This approach highlights the evolving definition of family and the enduring connections that form outside traditional romantic arcs, a point which resonates throughout the film and the franchise.
New Faces and Generational Shifts in the Final Chapter
The loss of Mark Darcy and shift away from Daniel Cleaver as romantic options brought fresh opportunities for new characters. Helen Fielding introduced the younger Roxster (Leo Woodall) and the mature Mr. Walliker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), with Morris deliberate in his casting choices.
“I was absolutely laser-focused on trying to get Leo and Chiwetel into the film,”
– Michael Morris, Director
Another significant aspect was the casting of Bridget and Mark’s children, Billy (Casper Knopf) and Mabel (Mila Jankovic). Morris recounted the care taken to find the right young actors who helped deliver some of the most emotional scenes, especially when the children and Bridget were about to honor Mark’s memory with a balloon release.
“The scene could be a terribly sad moment,”
– Michael Morris, Director
Yet, even in these moments, small gestures transformed sorrow into expressions of love, amplified by Zellweger’s and her on-screen children’s genuine chemistry.
Bridget’s Laughter and Lighthearted Memories on Set
Zellweger also discussed the highlights of filming, noting her favorite comedic scene involved the use of a lip plumper, resulting in a challenge to keep a straight face, particularly while watching Emma Thompson’s reaction.
“I had the best time trying not to laugh … and watching (an unsuspecting) Emma Thompson’s face,”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
This balance of humor and heart is at the core of the film series, allowing it to resonate with audiences for so many years.
Contemplating Change, Legacy, and Resonance with Audiences
“Mad About the Boy” leans into more serious themes than previous entries, becoming what Zellweger calls the “most intimate” installment. Writer Helen Fielding drew inspiration from real-life experiences, lending even greater authenticity to Bridget’s story as she moves forward in life as a mother, professional, and widow, but still retains her essential qualities that first charmed audiences in 2001.
As both a character and a cultural icon, Bridget Jones has matured, continuing to intrigue Zellweger as she considers how life events have shaped her over the decades.
“How has she changed and grown? How are her values different? How are her choices different?”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
“I’m sure everybody feels that they see a lot of themselves in this character. I think the profound gift is that she taps into those things that we all recognize in ourselves, our humanity and feeling not enough, or our fears and all of that.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
The opportunity to grow with a single character across such an extended period is rare in cinema. Michael Morris marvels at the lasting power of Bridget’s story, noting the unique trajectory of the franchise.
“But this is a franchise set around a real woman. … She’s actually just a person living her life, and we’ve known her for 25 years. That’s a real privilege to work on something like that.”
– Michael Morris, Director
Morris believes that the films‘ blend of humor and emotion, along with the evolution in style and substance, reinforces the bond audiences feel with Bridget Jones and her universe.
“I think there’s a life that [Renée] brings, and there’s a joy that is there, even when her world is falling apart, and she’s a fabulous catastrophe,”
– Michael Morris, Director
“but even when it’s falling apart, we just lean right in, because there’s so much optimism in the way that [she] brought Bridget to us.”
– Michael Morris, Director
Celebrating the End of an Era with Joy and Nostalgia
The latest installment serves as a fitting conclusion packed with humor, emotion, and hidden references for long-time fans. Zellweger described the atmosphere of the last days on set as joyful, recalling the garden dance scene as an ideal conclusion to her time as Bridget.
“I loved the dancing in the garden,”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
“It was one of our last days filming. And setting up as you guys saw, standing off the side for a little while and watching everybody dancing on that floor under the disco ball in that glorious garden. … I can’t think of a better way to wrap up the experience than to watch the joy because that was real with all our friends out there, with the music blasting under the stars. That was very special.”
– Renée Zellweger, Actress
The Impact and Future of Bridget Jones’ Story
As Renée Zellweger reflects on Bridget Jones farewell, the significance of the character’s legacy in film and pop culture becomes clear. The evolution of Bridget Jones—her growth, heartbreak, and courage—mirrors the real changes experienced by many viewers over time. With key players like Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Leo Woodall leaving their mark, and with direction from Michael Morris drawing on the foundation set by Helen Fielding, the franchise remains a celebration of humanity and resilience.
Though this chapter comes to a close, the impact of Bridget Jones and her world will continue to resonate with audiences new and old, proving the enduring appeal of a story about embracing life’s challenges, finding humor in the midst of chaos, and saying farewell with grace and gratitude.
