Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — A British Rom-Com Navigating Grief and Modern Love

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,  the fourth installment in the Bridget Jones film series, is set to release internationally in theaters on February 14, 2025, following a February 13 debut on Peacock in the US.

This romantic comedy, directed by Michael Morris, sees Renée Zellweger reprising her role as Bridget Jones, navigating life as a widow and single mother.

Story and Screenplay

Based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel, the film’s screenplay is crafted by Fielding in collaboration with Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan. The storyline tackles Bridget’s experiences with dating apps and relationships with younger men as she copes with the death of Mark Darcy.

This plot point, which sees Bridget navigate ‘life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover Daniel’, caused some distress among early viewers. Zellweger herself admitted to feeling ‘rotten’ and ‘weeping’ over the loss of the fictional character.

Cast and Characters

Returning cast members include Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Emma Thompson as Doctor Rawlings. New additions to the cast include Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at Bridget’s children’s school, and Leo Woodall as Roxster, Bridget’s new, younger love interest.

Bridget's announcement 👀

Watch this NEW CLIP from Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, in cinemas in ONE WEEK! #BridgetJonesMovie pic.twitter.com/Sv3POfeeBY

— Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) February 6, 2025

The film explores how Bridget’s relationship with 29-year-old Roxster helps her to heal. Other cast members include Isla Fisher, Josette Simon, Nico Parker, and Leila Farzad.

Production Details

“Mad About the Boy” is produced by Working Title Films and co-financed by Miramax. Principal photography began on May 10, 2024, at Sky Studios Elstree in London and wrapped on August 8.

Box Office and Anticipation

The film is already generating significant buzz, with advance ticket sales in the UK and Ireland outpacing those of “Barbie“. Forecasts for the opening weekend box office in the UK and Ireland are in line with the £8.1 million achieved by “Bridget Jones’s Baby” in 2016.

Digital Cinema Media projects that “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” could at least match “Bridget Jones’s Baby” at the UK and Ireland box office (£48.1m), and possibly surpass it. Vue cinema anticipates it to be the biggest Bridget Jones film in the UK and Ireland. The Valentine’s Day release is expected to draw in both couples and “Galentine’s” audiences.

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