The Ultimate Guide To 'Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy' (Bridget Jones 4): Plot, Cast, And 2025 Release Date

Bridget Jones is officially back, but not in the way fans might expect, with the highly anticipated fourth installment, officially titled Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, set to premiere in early 2025. The buzz surrounding the return of the beloved, perpetually single (and now widowed) Londoner has reached a fever pitch, confirming that the franchise is far from over. This new chapter promises to be a bittersweet and hilarious look at modern dating, motherhood, and navigating life in your 50s, directly adapting author Helen Fielding’s third novel in the series.

The confusion over a "Bridget Jones movie 2" is understandable, as the original second film, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, was released in 2004, but the current, most pressing news revolves around the fourth film, which follows 2016's Bridget Jones's Baby. As of December 2025, production details are firming up, with a confirmed release date and a plot twist that has already shocked the global fanbase, setting the stage for one of the most talked-about romantic comedies of the new year.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - Cast and Key Production Details

The return of the core cast members, alongside exciting new additions, has been a major headline for the film. The production team is also bringing back key creative forces from the franchise's history, ensuring the signature blend of humor and heart remains intact. This list details the essential personnel and actors confirmed for the fourth movie.

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• Official Title: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
• Release Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025.
• U.S. Streaming Platform: Peacock (Exclusively).
• Director: Michael Morris (known for Better Call Saul).
• Screenplay By: Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, and Abi Morgan.
• Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones): Reprising her iconic, Oscar-nominated role.
• Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver): Confirmed to return, despite his character's ambiguous fate in the previous film.
• Leo Woodall: Joins the cast in a new, currently undisclosed role, adding a fresh face to the romantic landscape.
• Emma Thompson: Expected to return as Dr. Rawling, Bridget’s no-nonsense obstetrician from the third film.
• Colin Firth (Mark Darcy): Will not appear, as his character is confirmed to have passed away in the events leading up to the film.

The Shocking New Plot: Widowhood, Motherhood, and Modern Dating

The biggest and most emotional reveal of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the central premise: Bridget is a widow. The film directly follows the events of Helen Fielding's 2013 novel, where Bridget's beloved husband, Mark Darcy, has tragically died. This dark turn sets a profoundly different tone for the fourth movie, which is described by Hugh Grant as being "very moving as well as funny."

Bridget in Her Fifties

The new film finds Bridget in her early 50s, navigating a world that has dramatically changed since her last on-screen adventure. She is now a single mother raising two children, attempting to balance the demands of parenthood with her career and a completely new challenge: modern dating. The story will explore the unique struggles of dating in the age of social media and dating apps, a far cry from the awkward office romances and chance encounters of her past.

The core conflict centers on Bridget's journey to find love again while mourning Mark, all while dealing with her children and the ever-present pressure to be a "smug married." The film is expected to delve into the bittersweet realities of life, maintaining the franchise's signature humor through Bridget's diary entries and internal monologue, but with a deeper emotional resonance.

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The Return of Daniel Cleaver

One of the most anticipated elements is the return of Daniel Cleaver, played by Hugh Grant. Cleaver's fate was left ambiguous at the end of Bridget Jones's Baby, where he was presumed dead in a plane crash. His reappearance in the fourth film suggests he will once again play a significant role in Bridget's life, likely as a chaotic yet charming distraction from her grief and a complication in her new romantic pursuits.

With Mark Darcy gone, the classic "Mark vs. Daniel" love triangle is officially over, but Daniel Cleaver's presence promises to inject the necessary romantic comedy hijinks and a familiar, if complicated, dynamic back into Bridget's life. His return will certainly be a major talking point and a source of both humor and drama as Bridget attempts to move on.

Topical Authority: Understanding the Bridget Jones Film Series

To fully appreciate the significance of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, it helps to understand the context of the previous films. The franchise has consistently explored themes of self-acceptance, body image, career struggles, and the complexities of adult relationships, making it a cultural touchstone for women globally.

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• Film 1: Bridget Jones's Diary (2001): Introduced Bridget, her New Year’s resolutions, her crush on her boss Daniel Cleaver, and the 'smug marrieds.' It set up the iconic love triangle with Mark Darcy.
• Film 2: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004): The film the original query referred to. It followed Bridget and Mark's initial relationship struggles, including jealousy, a disastrous holiday, and a brief stint in a Thai prison.
• Film 3: Bridget Jones's Baby (2016): Focused on Bridget's unexpected pregnancy and the mystery of whether Mark Darcy or Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey) was the father, ultimately concluding with her marriage to Mark.

The new movie, Mad About the Boy, is a significant departure because it forces Bridget to confront a far more profound and adult form of grief and responsibility. It moves beyond the simple question of 'who is the father?' to 'how do I rebuild my life?' This shift in narrative maturity is what makes the 2025 release so eagerly anticipated by longtime fans of the series and the original novels.

Why Fans Are 'Mad About the Boy'

The excitement for the fourth film stems from its promise to deliver a fresh, honest, and emotionally resonant story. The original trilogy resonated because Bridget was an imperfect, relatable Everywoman. Her struggles with weight, smoking, and finding "The One" were universal. Mad About the Boy updates these struggles for the modern era, tackling issues like dating app fatigue, the challenges of being an older mother, and the profound experience of widowhood.

The inclusion of new, younger cast members like Leo Woodall, coupled with the return of the beloved veteran actors, ensures the film will appeal to both original fans and a new generation. The script is reportedly "very good," blending the familiar comedic elements with a deeply sad, yet ultimately hopeful, narrative arc. The movie is scheduled for a Valentine's Day release, suggesting that despite the difficult subject matter, it will ultimately be a story about finding love and joy again, even after the greatest loss.