
Renee Zellweger, the actress famous for playing Bridget Jones for more than 20 years, recently posed with the character’s new statue Bridget Jones Statue in London. The unveiling took place in Leicester Square on a Monday, and Zellweger spoke with BBC News during the event.
The statue is now part of the “Scenes in The Square” trail, where it sits alongside other iconic figures like Paddington Bear, Harry Potter, and Mary Poppins.
When discussing the statue, Zellweger called it “adorable,” adding, “I think she is much cuter than me”.
Zellweger explained that the massive appeal of Bridget Jones lies in the fact that everyone can identify with her. She emphasized that Bridget’s popularity stems from her “vulnerability, her humanity”. According to the actress, “We recognize ourselves in her, we recognize ourselves in her struggles”. Ultimately, Bridget Jones “allows us all to be authentically who we are. Imperfect”.
The beloved character of Bridget Jones was created by author Helen Fielding in 1996. The story was first adapted for the big screen in 2001.
However, the statue’s physique sparked comments and debate among fans and the article’s writer. Historically, Bridget was known for her “complex about being a little full/chubby”, and the character was often described as “chubbier” (más gordita). The new statue was noted as being “skinny with a mini belly,” which led some to feel it didn’t accurately represent Bridget. One source also recalled that for the third film, Renee Zellweger did not gain weight and instead wore a “fat suit”.
The fourth film in the franchise, titled Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, premiered earlier this year (2025) in February. The film follows Bridget as she navigates life as a single mother while facing the challenges of modern dating.
While the movie received mixed reviews, it was a major financial success. According to Universal, it achieved the best box office debut in history for a romantic comedy in the UK and Ireland.
Although Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was announced as the final movie in the series, fans are confident there will be a sequel. Author Helen Fielding also fueled speculation during the presentation by refusing to rule out continuing Bridget’s story, stating, “never say never”.






