Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boycelebrates Valentine’s Day by ranking No. 1 on Peacock.Renée Zellwegerreturns to the small screen as the romantic comedy’s titular character for the first time sinceBridget Jones’s Baby(2016) and discovers the “casual cruelty” of being ghosted by a new lover. However, despite nearly a decade having passed, the latest sequel in the franchise is scoring with both critics and audiences, even though the film has killed off Bridget’s husband and fan-favorite Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Book lovers know that Mark also died in author Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel of the same name.
Peacock’sMad About the Boycurrently registers a “Certified Fresh” 85% on the Tomatometer against 80 reviews posted by the critics onRotten Tomatoes. Fans are also enjoying Mrs. Darcy’s return to the dating world, as evidenced by the rom-com’s Popcornmeter rating (formerly the RT audience score) of 83%. This time around, the “tragic widow” first sets her romantic sights on someone “who might be slightly younger,” the 29-year-old Roxter (Leo Woodall).
Then there is also Mr. Wallaker, a science teacher portrayed by the MCU’s own Chiwetel Ejiofor ofDoctor Strangefame. However, several beloved actors from the originalBridget Jones’s Diary(2001) reprise their roles inMad About the Boy,along with Zellweger, including the aforementioned Firth and, of course, Hugh Grant, who is now the proud “uncle” of Bridget’s children. Although, he still brings up Bridget’s skirt.
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Renée Zellweger “Was Heartbroken” by Mark Darcy’s Death
InMad About the Boy,Bridget Jones still has the comfort and company of her three best friends, Shazzer (Sally Phillips), Jude (Shirley Henderson), and Tom (James Callis). However, the absence of Mark Darcy has left holes in the hearts of both the character and the actress portraying the single mother who rom-com fans so adore, andRenée Zellweger revealed why she is “heartbroken"about the death of Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy in an interview withEmpire, saying:
“It’s so peculiar because of the connection to this character I’ve come to love. I love him. I love this person that Colin plays when we get together again. And I was heartbroken. It was such a peculiar thing to be heartbroken that a fictional character is gone from your life, [but I’ve] gotten to know him since 2000. And of course, Colin, he’s an integral part of that experience, and to not share it with him. I won’t lie. I shed some tears. It’s just, I guess, like life. Part of the magic just disappears.”
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Speaking of love, Zellweger gushed about her own character during the same sit-down by saying:
“I love this character. It’s such a unique experience to have the opportunity to revisit a character, to get to know her, in a different stage of her life as she evolves and grows. I feel great warmth for her. I’m also really protective over her, and so the quality of the project is always at the forefront.”
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Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
