Renee Zellweger, who first brought the lovable Bridget Jones to life in 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary, never anticipated starring in four films as the iconic character.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress recalled her initial fears: “Never. No, I just didn’t want to get fired off the first thing, and I didn’t want to let anybody down, and I wanted Helen to be happy.” Yet, over two decades later, Zellweger returns in Mad About the Boy, the latest installment packed with nostalgic nods.

The new film weaves in “Easter eggs”—subtle callbacks to earlier movies—delighting longtime fans. “That’s life, isn’t it?” Zellweger mused. “We have our little things that are consistent throughout our lives… I don’t throw my dresses away—I wear ’em for 25 years.” Director Michael Morris calls these touches “fan service,” adding, “There are more than you’d catch in one viewing… Those are people who’ve been with the franchise for 25 years.” He intentionally layered the film with texture to reward loyal viewers.

Helen Fielding, the series’ creator, penned Mad About the Boy during the Covid-19 pandemic, drawing inspiration from the resilience she observed amid personal loss. Fielding, 67, shared, “Our family had lost quite a lot of people… it was a very hashtag deathy time for us.”

Her late partner, a Simpsons writer, influenced her dark humor, which blends with themes of community and strength in the script. “Writing through Bridget’s eyes—who’s decent, kind, moral—those values and resilience get you through tough times,” she said.

Fielding sees life as a piano, with black and white notes, noting, “Happy endings are just where you stop the story.” For Zellweger and fans, Bridget’s messy, heartfelt journey remains a timeless chord.