The latest “Bridget Jones” picks up with Renée Zellweger’s iconic character four years after the death of her husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), now raising their two children on her own. When she finally reenters the dating pool, she finds herself drawn to Roxster, a free-spirited young man played by Leo Woodall.
Titled “Mad About the Boy,” the movie explores how Bridget’s relationship with 29-year-old Roxster helps her to heal. It’s the latest in a string of films, including Nicole Kidman’s “Babygirl” and Anne Hathaway’s “Idea of You,” that shows a woman dating a man her junior.
At the London premiere of “Mad About the Boy” on Wednesday night, Zellweger got candid about the significance of the characters’ romance playing out on screen. “I mean, I think it’s nothing new,” she told Variety on the red carpet. “But maybe the social taboos are melting away… it’s never a bad thing. There’s certain things that we probably don’t need to have opinions about, and where people find love… why would that ever be a problem?”
Woodall agreed, saying that it’s important to “get people used to it.”
“It’s a real relationship that happens a lot and you know, we’re just not used to seeing it on screen,” he continued.
But Woodall’s Roxster isn’t Bridget’s only love interest — there’s also Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at her children’s school, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. “He’s quite stern in his own way, he has a kind of sense of the world,” Ejiofor said of his character. “At the same time, he’s really able to communicate with Billy, Bridget’s son, and understand that he’s going through something and trying to figure out ways of helping that. There’s a lot of layering to him.”
Of working with Ejiofor and Woodall, Zellweger said she was “spoiled for riches.”
“That’s not a bad day at work right there,” she continued. “Talented, wonderful fellas.”
“Mad About the Boy” also sees Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson reprise their roles as Daniel Cleaver and Dr. Rawlings. Other returning cast members include Jim Broadbent, Sarah Solemani, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Neil Pearson, Joanna Scanlan and Celia Imrie. Beyond Ejiofor and Woodall, other newcomers are Isla Fisher, Nico Parker, Josette Simon and Leila Farzad.
And though “Mad About the Boy” is being advertised as the “last chapter” in the franchise, Zellweger would be keen for more “Bridget Jones” if the opportunity presented itself.
“You know, I’ve got my fingers crossed,” she said.
“Mad About the Boy” premieres in U.K. theaters and on Peacock in the U.S. on Feb. 14.
