When Bridget Jones exploded onto the world stage in 1996 with her humorous diary, it was only a short step before she made it to the big screen. She became both a literary and a film franchise. After an absence of almost 10 years, we will meet her again with the film (still in production): Bridget Jones – Mad About the Boy.

Yes, Renee Zellweger returns as the crazy English girl (and now a mother) in the adaptation of the book that had not yet been filmed. In fact, we will watch them in the correct order, unlike what happened in literature (Mad About the Boy was released in 2013, years before Bridget Jones’s Baby) and this way it will make more sense. Attention for those who haven’t read it, spoilers are coming.

What is the secret to Bridget Jones’ success?

Created by Helen Fielding as a play on Jane Austen‘s classic Pride and Prejudice, the book was a hit in the late 1990s, with a heroine, Bridget Jones, who was so clumsy and outside the beauty standards that she was soon adopted by women around the world. Considered one of the first truly modern heroines, who invites us to laugh at her confusion, it managed to sell more than 15 million copies in 40 countries.

By reading her diary, we see how Bridget is more real and relatable, facing common problems, such as insecurities about her weight, romantic dilemmas, and professional challenges. Written with a lot of humor and honesty, we see how she doesn’t take herself too seriously and her reflections are often hilarious, which makes for a light and fun read. Furthermore, despite her flaws and insecurities, she constantly seeks to improve herself and find happiness. This journey of self-discovery and personal growth is inspiring and captivating.

The Bridget Jones books also contain subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) critiques of society, especially regarding expectations of women. This makes the series relevant and provocative, and although typical of its time, Bridget’s search for true love is the central theme, but the unexpected romantic complications and development of her relationships provide a balance of drama and comedy.

With its success, she has four books starring her, but it is in the first book, Bridget Jones’s Diary, that we meet the two most important men in her life: the seductive Daniel Cleaver and the always-correct Mark Darcy.

The boldness of an American in the role of the “typical” British woman

The search for the ideal Bridget Jones in the movies was almost a Scarlett O’Hara in reverse, with the public following all the possible Bridgets and giving their opinions. Names such as Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, and Toni Collette were mentioned, as well as Cate Blanchett (back before she became famous), Rachel Weisz (who lost the chance for being “too pretty”) and Kate Winslet (who, at 24, was considered too young). In the United States, Cameron Diaz made it onto the list, but the world was shocked when the skinny Renée Zellweger was chosen.

On a weight-loss diet, Renée became completely unrecognizable and managed to do a perfect British accent. The great success continued with the less successful sequels. On the male side, Hugh Grant proved to be the perfect Cleaver, but having Colin Firth as Mark Darcy was a stroke of genius since he is mentioned in the book precisely because he was an unforgettable Mr. Darcy in the 1995 series version. They all returned in the following films.

Bridget’s evolution in four films

In Bridget Jones’s Diary, she is a single woman in her 30s, living in London, constantly worried about her weight, alcohol consumption, and her love life. She starts working as a reporter and begins to value herself and her unique qualities more, culminating in a healthier and more genuine relationship with Mark Darcy.

In Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, from 2004, we follow the ups and downs of Bridget and Mark’s relationship, but also a reunion with Daniel Cleaver. After a 12-year hiatus, the cast reunited in Bridget Jones’s Baby, in 2016, where, of course, Bridget discovers she is pregnant, but, typical Bridget, she is not sure who the father is: Mark Darcy or her new love interest, Jack Qwant. Of course, the baby is Mark’s and she learns to trust her own decisions and accept the support of those around her.

The 2013 book, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which had moved forward in time and placed Bridget as a widow in her 50s, also a mother of two young children, was left out. Here, without Mark, she tries to start her life over, balancing motherhood, career, and social life, which is even more complex in the age of social media. And that is the film that is being filmed and will hit theaters in 2025. Yes, Renée Zellweger is back as Bridget Jones.

What can we expect from the “final chapter”?

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy aroto was published in 2016, and is set more than a decade after Bridget Jones’s Baby. With the death of Mark Darcy, she is now a single mother of two young children.

No one expects Bridget, even grieving the loss of the love of her life, to be exactly ‘alone’, right? She begins a relationship with a younger man, Roxby – Roxster – McDuff (Leo Woodall) and another, Mark Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who is more in line with her age.

Bridget meets Roxster through Twitter and he ends up bringing to her a sense of youthful exuberance and passion for life, making Bridget feel desirable and vibrant again. Wallaker, on the other hand, is the principal of Bridget’s children’s school, whom she finds intimidating and serious, but as the story progresses, she discovers his softer and more caring side. Their relationship evolves from mutual respect and friendship to a deeper romantic connection. And yes, Daniel Cleaver is still around.

The recordings are being followed anxiously by fans and we will only see the result in early 2025. In current times, it will be interesting to see the eternally romantic Bridget Jones navigate in digital times. I bet on success, what about you?

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