Hugh Grant Emphasizes Emotional Impact of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Renée Zellweger returns in "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy," premiering on Peacock February 13. Hugh Grant, promoting his latest thriller "Heretic," recently shared insights about the new film while on SiriusXM's The Jess Cagle Show. Although he hasn't seen the movie yet, reading the script moved him deeply.

Grant, now 64, expressed his emotional response to the screenplay, stating, "I haven't seen it, but I know the script. I'm a harsh judge of scripts, and this one is really good." He described it as humorous but also poignant, noting that it's based on Helen Fielding's writing. The new story reflects Fielding's personal experiences of loss and motherhood.

"It’s got a huge amount of heart," Grant continued, admitting it made him cry while acknowledging its humor. He portrays Daniel Cleaver, Bridget’s charming love interest throughout the series. He featured in the first film in 2001 and its sequel, "The Edge of Reason," in 2004, but he was absent in "Bridget Jones's Baby," released in 2016, where his character was presumed dead due to a plane crash.

Explaining his absence from the third movie, Grant elaborated, "That was marvelous. However, I struggled with how Daniel would face fatherhood—being a father or not." He indicated discomfort in finding a suitable direction for his character, leading him to opt out of participating.

The recently released trailer for "Mad About the Boy" has stirred excitement by revealing that Colin Firth's beloved character, Mark Darcy, has died. This revelation leaves Bridget as a widow. Although "Bridget Jones's Baby" teased Daniel's return, Grant humorously remarked, "Officially, Colin and I are both dead," regarding the latest installment. "You just occasionally cut to two dead bodies," he joked, evoking a lively discussion about the future of the characters.

"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" will air on Peacock beginning February 13.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Timothee Chalamet said he was asked to gain weight for 2 roles.