Bridget Jones 4: Release date and latest Mad About the Boy news

Adapted from the Helen Fielding's latest novel released in 2013, the film will follow Jones as she adjusts to dating in the modern age, navigating social media and dating apps, and strikes up a romance with a much-younger lover played by One Day star Leo Woodall.

Director Michael Morris recently defended the 22-year gap between the 51-year-old character and her 29-year-old lover, which has prompted some backlash amongst fans since it was announced last year, saying "there should be nothing to say".

“What we’re seeing is an erosion of an invisible wall that has meant that, for some reason in culture, we have traditionally been less interested in women over a certain age interacting with men [of a certain age],” he told The Independent.

“That should be nonsense, I think we can all agree, that should be absolutely nonsense. There should be no invisible wall stopping anything.”

He continued: “If we’re going to judge relationships at all, it should be on who they are and how they behave with each other. There should be nothing to say, ‘Oh it’s an older woman’.”

While the new film looks set to include more of the joyful shenanigans that have always made this series so popular, Hugh Grant – who has rejoined the cast after sitting out of the last movie – has recently explained that fans should also prepare themselves for some other emotions as well.

"As well as being extremely funny, it’s very, very sad," he explained during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show last October.

And he also explained that he suggested some changes for his own character, revealing: "He’s in his 60s now, you can’t just have him smoothing his way down King’s Road eyeing up young girls."

But as fans wait to see Zellweger and Grant reprise their roles, who else from the franchise might appear, and what else do we know about the film so far? Read on for everything you need to know.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy release date

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be released in UK and US cinemas on Thursday 13th February 2025 – so just in time for Valentine's Day.

Filming began on 10th May 2024 in the UK and concluded on 8th August 2024.

Author Helen Fielding first revealed she was working on a fourth movie back in 2022 during an interview on the Radio Times View From My Sofa Podcast.

2016 film Bridget Jones's Baby didn't follow her 2013 novel Mad About the Boy, and was instead based on columns Fielding wrote in 2005 and 2006 for The Independent.

Asked whether audiences would see Bridget back on screen in an adaptation of Mad About the Boy, Fielding said: "Yes I'm working on it and I really hope it will happen.

"Every film that gets made is a miracle – it's really difficult to make films happen and to make them good. But I'd love to see it on the screen."

Who's been confirmed to star in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy?

The following stars have been confirmed by Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

• Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones
• Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver
• Emma Thompson as Dr Rawlings
• Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr Wallaker
• Leo Woodall as Roxster
• Colin Firth as Mark Darcy
• Jim Broadbent as Colin Jones
• Gemma Jones as Pamela Jones
• Isla Fisher as Rebecca
• Josette Simon as Talitha
• Nico Parker as Chloe
• Leila Farzad as Nicolette
• Sarah Solemani as Miranda
• Sally Phillips as Sharon "Shazzer"
• Shirley Henderson as Jude
• James Callis as Tom
• Celia Imrie as Una Alconbury

Renée Zellweger is set to reprise her Oscar-nominated role as Bridget Jones. She last appeared on the big screen in Judy, for which she bagged her second Oscar in 2020 for her portrayal of Judy Garland.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will also see Hugh Grant reprise his role as bad boy Daniel Cleaver, whilst Dame Emma Thompson will appear once again as Dr Rawlings following her hilarious debut as the character in Bridget Jones's Baby.

We can also expect returns for other recurring characters including Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones as Bridget's parents, plus all of Bridget's best pals.

Meanwhile, new faces will include Leo Woodall (One Day) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange). Woodall will play the 'Boy' of the title as her sardonic younger love interest Roxster, while Ejiofor plays the headteacher of Bridget's children.

Speaking to Radio Times magazine recently, Woodall was asked about his character's 22-year age gap with Bridget and whether it was fun to explore the toy-boy-type role, to which he responded: "I didn’t go into it thinking I wanted to explore that. I thought the script was beautiful and wanted to be a part of it."

He continued: "I’ve always loved the films. There’s only so many chances you’ll get to be a part of something as special as Bridget Jones."

Elsewhere, The Last of Us' Nico Parker plays Bridget's babysitter Chloe and Isla Fisher plays Bridget's new neighbour Rebecca.

Patrick Dempsey is not set to reprise his role as Jack, Bridget's other love interest from Bridget Jones's Baby.

Is Colin Firth set to return as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones 4?

In the announcement of the film, fans may also have noticed that Colin Firth’s name was missing.

Of course, in the book, we discover that his character Mark Darcy has died tragically in an accident.

This looks to be the case in the film as well, but the trailer confirmed that he would be appearing – albeit in a reduced role comprised of flashbacks and dream sequences.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy plot

The latest sequel is based on Helen Fielding's 2013 book Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which revolves around Bridget as a 51-year-old single mother of two children as she navigates dating in a world filled with new technology – soon bringing her into contact with two potential love interests, including one who's a little bit younger...

The official synopsis reads: "Bridget Jones finally has some luck in her life; she has a great job as a screenwriter, her family and a new boyfriend; the fact that he is over twenty years younger than her isn't the only thing that is causing problems."

Is there a trailer for Bridget Jones 4?

Yes! A trailer for the film was released in November 2024 – and included a surprise cameo for Colin Firth as Mark Darcy himself. You can check it out below:

• Read all the key spoiler information about Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.