Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is all grown up in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Gone are the days of nitpicking flaws and questionable choices. Now widowed with two children, Bridget has had her fair share of experiences and lessons that’ll last her lifetime. But it seems like the universe isn’t done with teaching her a couple of lessons. Officially single on the technicality of her husband’s death (a.k.a. Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy), Bridget is encouraged to get back into the dating ring once again. Last time everyone checked, Bridget was prone to making interesting decisions when it came to love. But with her softened parents, her close friends, and even her former lover Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), she’s taking risks once again. This time around, Bridget is torn between the enthusiastic 29-year-old Roxter (Leo Woodall), whom she met online, and her children’s science teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Outside the film’s romantic premise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy redefines what it means to be a mum in modern times, juggling between parental duties and a fledgling career while finding time to fulfill her personal wishes. If there’s anything about Bridget, things are bound to get adorably awkward. With the film’s premiere around the corner, fans eagerly await to see how she balances love and motherhood.
Zellweger stars as Bridget Jones, the titular character that holds the Bridget Jones universe together. When audiences first saw Bridget in the initial film, they witnessed a chain-smoking, weight-obsessed woman spending her New Year’s sad and alone. However, through the power of journaling—hence, Bridget Jones’s Diary—she starts holding herself accountable, transforming into the proper adult she’s supposed to be. Yet, growing up is easier said than done. With two men constantly in her orbit, Bridget is prone to make some problematic choices. Indeed, although she has become much more mature and wiser in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, she still has much to learn about life.
Zellweger previously portrayed Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago, which earned her countless nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She clinched an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress thanks to her role in the war film Cold Mountain and earned her second Academy Award for starring as Judy Garland in the biopic Judy. Most recently, Zellweger showcased her acting prowess in the Netflix series What/If and NBC’s The Thing About Pam.
Grant plays Daniel Cleaver, the devilish womanizer at work who Bridget’s secret has the hots for. In today’s world, Daniel would be considered a complete HR violation. However, in the realm of Bridget Jones, Daniel switches between women like cards. Bold and brazen, Daniel’s “desperate romantic agenda” is just as intoxicating as it is toxic, which Bridget can’t help but fall for. By Bridget Jones’s Baby, Daniel is presumed to be dead in a plane accident. Yet, as the third film’s ending shows, the playboy is far from dead and continues to spring into Bridget’s life even at his older age.
A rising star since his youth, Grant gained fame for playing charming romantic leads in movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Music and Lyrics. The actor broke free from this typecast by embracing a variety of projects, such as Florence Foster Jenkins, Paddington 2, and The Gentleman. In television, Grant received two Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as the controversial Jeremy Thorpe in A Very English Scandal. Most recently, he starred as the sinister Mr. Reed in A24’s religious-horror film Heretic.
Firth portrays Mark Darcy, the upper-class, Cambridge-educated boy-next-door who eventually becomes Bridget’s husband until his passing. By trade, Mark worked as a successful barrister specializing in human rights issues. Outside of the court, Mark appears cold, awkward, and mostly keeps to himself. However, throughout the Bridget Jones franchise, he demonstrates just how much the zany Bridget means to him. In all his seriousness, Mark wholeheartedly loved Bridget and all her perceived imperfections.
A household name in the “Brit Pack” of the ‘80s, Firth captivated audiences with his role as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, followed by prominent roles in Love Actually and Mamma Mia!. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as the stuttering King George VI in the historical drama The King’s Speech. His notable recent works include playing secret agent Harry Hart in the Kingsman franchise and starring alongside Taron Egerton in Peacock’s Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.
Emma Thompson stars as Doctor Rawlings, a gynecologist and confidant who assists Bridget in finding herself and getting back into the dating world. Thompson’s acting roots stem from her time in the comedy sketch series Alfresco. She transitioned into theater, starring in the West End revival of the musical “Me and My Girl,” followed by striking roles in Tutti Frutti and Fortunes of War—earning her the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress in both series. Thompson’s force is undeniable in the film, evidenced by her winning both the BAFTA Award and the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work on Howards End. Her award-studded career continues with pivotal roles in The Remains of the Day, In the Name of the Father, and Sense and Sensibility. Thompson is anticipated to star in the upcoming queer drama Hear Me Roar.
Ejiofor plays Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at Bridget’s children’s school whose smile alone can make her swoon and blush. The decorated actor garnered acclaim for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave, earning Ejiofor the BAFTA Award for Best Actor and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. His impressive portfolio includes roles in Love Actually, Salt, and his titular role as Karl Mordo in Marvel’s Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Ejiofor gained recognition on television for his role as a jazz band leader in BBC Two’s Dancing on the Edge, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Woodall portrays Roxter, one of Bridget’s love interests who possesses quick wit and isn’t afraid to be upfront with Bridget. He first made waves by starring in Season 2 of HBO’s The White Lotus. He later captured hearts and evoked tears through his role as Dexter Mayhew in Netflix’s One Day. Woodall currently stars in a leading role on Apple TV+’s thriller series Prime Target.
Jim Broadbent appears as Colin Jones, the slightly meek father of Bridget. Broadbent earned an Academy Award for his supporting role in John Bayley, with his awards streak continuing through his work in Moulin Rouge!, for which he received the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Outside of film, Broadbent made his mark as Roy Slater in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and Archmaester Ebrose in Season 7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Gemma Jones plays Pamela Jones, the overbearing yet endearing mother of Bridget. Her film career includes roles in Sense and Sensibility, the Harry Potter series, and Ammonite. In television, Jones won the 2015 BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the BBC television film Marvellous.
Isla Fisher portrays Rebecca, Bridget’s new neighbor in town. Originally from Down Under, Fisher first made her mark in Hollywood with her role in the 2002 Scooby-Doo film. She later gained recognition playing Gloria Cleary in Wedding Crashers, starring alongside Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Fisher is best known for playing the death-defying escape artist Henley Reeves in the Now You See Me franchise, with the highly anticipated third installment expected to be released on November 14, 2025.
Nico Parker takes on the role of Chloe, the babysitter of Bridget’s children. Parker made her film debut with her leading role in Dumbo. On television, she starred as Sarah Miller in Season 1 of HBO’s The Last of Us.
Leila Farzad appears as Nicolette. Before Bridget Jones, Farzad had a notable performance as Naomi Jones in I Hate Suzie, which earned her a British Academy Television Award nomination.
Sarah Solemani takes on the role of Miranda, an anchorwoman at Hard News and a co-worker/friend Bridget can count on. Solemani gained prominence for her portrayal of Becky in Him & Her, which won BAFTAs, and has appeared in projects like Bad Education and The Wrong Man.
Sally Phillips stars as Sharon “Shazzer,” one of Bridget’s friends. Phillips started her career in entertainment as a writer for the sketch comedy series Smack the Pony and later extended her acting career with roles in Jam & Jerusalem, Zapped, and playing Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Shirley Henderson plays Jude, one of Bridget’s closest companions in her inner circle. Aside from the Bridget Jones movies, Henderson is best known for her portrayal of Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. On television, she took on the role of Isobel Sutherland in BBC’s Hamish Macbeth and Claire Salter in Southcliffe, the latter earning her a BAFTA nomination.
James Callis is cast as Tom, one of Bridget’s best friends. He gained notoriety for his role as Dr. Gaius Baltar in the Battlestar Galactica miniseries. When he’s not involved in Bridget Jones films, Callis voices Alucard in Netflix’s Castlevania and appeared in Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard as Jean-Luc’s father in the show’s flashbacks.
Celia Imrie portrays Una Alconbury. A familiar face in the Bridget Jones series, she previously took on the character of Bridget’s parent’s best friend. Outside the franchise, Alconbury starred in Nanny McPhee, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Netflix’s The Diplomat.
Ian Midlane appears as Paul. The actor is best known for his performance as Al Haskey on BBC’s Doctors, which earned him the 2018 British Soap Awards for Best Comedy Performance.
Josette Simon takes on the role of Talitha. A recipient of the Evening Standard’s Best Actress award, a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award, and Plays and Players Critic Awards, Simon has appeared in projects such as Wonder Woman, The Crow, and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.
Widowed for four years, Bridget Jones is seen raising her children while supported by friends and family. Pressed to rebuild her life, she returns to work, exploring dating and meeting a younger man. Balancing romance, work, and motherhood, Bridget navigates pressures from all parts of her social and family life, making her journey more relatable than ever.
