Everything we know about Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

The British rom-com is set for a later-in-life resurgence as Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant return for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – also known as Bridget Jones 4.

The first movie in the series, Bridget Jones’s Diary, was released in 2001 and based on author Helen Fielding’s book of the same name. It introduced us to the story’s eponymous heroine: an unlucky-in-love 32-year-old young professional living in London who spends her time looking for the perfect partner.

After surviving a few embarrassing encounters on the social dating scene, Jones ultimately finds what she’s after with not one but two men in Colin Firth's Mark Darcy and Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver.

Her romantic life continued to be chronicled in two sequels, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004, based on the book of the same name, and Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016, which took its cues from a series of fictional columns Fielding wrote as Jones for various newspapers.

In 2022, Fielding confirmed that work on a fourth movie was in development – but what will it be about, who will be in it and when can we expect to watch it for ourselves? Here’s what we know so far.

When will Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy be released?

Bridget Jones 4 will be released in UK cinemas on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2025.

It will be directed by British filmmaker Michael Morris, who helmed 2022 drama To Leslie, as well as episodes of Better Call Saul, House of Cards and 13 Reasons Why.

2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary was directed by Sharon Maguire, who returned to helm threequel Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016 after filmmaker Beeban Kidron directed Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004.

The first two films in the series were co-written by Fielding, Andrew Davies and Four Weddings and a Funeral director Richard Curtis, with Bridget Jones’s Baby penned by Fielding, Dan Mazer and actor Emma Thompson.

In 2022, Fielding revealed she was working on a script for the fourth movie based on her 2013 book Bridget Jones’s Diary: Mad About The Boy. The movie was officially announced in April 2024, with filming set to get under way in London in May 2024.

Is there a trailer for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy?

Unfortunately, there’s no trailer for Bridget Jones 4. However, as cameras start to roll, we’re sure we’ll start to see Jones back on the scene soon enough.

What is the plot for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy?

Bridget Jones 4 will be based on Fielding’s 2013’s book Bridget Jones’s Diary: Mad About The Boy and will feature the return of a familiar old flame.

By the end of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Firth’s Mark Darcy had beaten Grant’s shady Daniel Cleaver to win Bridget’s heart but only after some hilariously awkward fistfights.

2004’s The Edge of Reason saw the pair’s relationship put to the test but ended in their engagement and impending marriage. However, by film three, Bridget had found herself newly single, pregnant and unsure who the father of her new baby really was.

As per the plot of Mad About The Boy, Bridget Jones 4 will reintroduce us to Bridget as a widow following the accidental death of Mark Darcy some years earlier. As a result, she’s found herself back on the dating scene as a single mum in her 50s – but that won't stop her from getting out there and experiencing everything digital dating has to offer as her quest for love continues.

Who is in the cast of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy?

Zellweger will reprise her role as Bridget Jones, with Grant back as her former love interest Daniel Cleaver and Thompson playing her despairing obstetrician. Firth will not be returning as Mark Darcy, following his character’s death.

12 Years A Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor and One Day actor Leo Woodall have joined the cast in undisclosed roles.

Speaking about his return to the franchise, Grant said that fans can expect humour and a lot of heart from the upcoming sequel.

“It is very moving as well as funny,” he told People. “It’s partly based on Helen Fielding’s experiences of bringing up two children by herself after her husband died. And so Bridget is bringing up two kids and wondering whether she should ever go back to dating,” says Grant. “It’s a very good script.”

Story aside, Grant also added that he has a natural connection to Zellweger which helps their on-screen chemistry. “I’ve been running into Renée off and on for the last 10 years,” he added. “We always seem to click.”

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be released on 14 February 2025