Renée Zellweger Doesn't Think of Bridget Jones as 'Not Fit': 'She's Just Different from Me ... I Run for My Sanity'

Mar. 15, 2025

Renée Zellweger; actress as Bridget Jones in ‘The Edge Of Reason’.Photo:Jordan Strauss/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Laurie Sparham/Universal/Studio Canal/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jordan Strauss/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Laurie Sparham/Universal/Studio Canal/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

Renée Zellwegerhas more things in common withher character Bridget Jonesthan people might think.

In a new interview with herBridget Jones: Mad About the Boycostar,Hugh Grant, 64, forBritish Vogue’s February issue, Zellweger, 55, was questioned about people not seeing Bridget as very “fit.” The term “fit” is used in British slang to mean physically and superficially attractive. However, Grant pointed out that Zellweger, on the other hand, is “frighteningly fit.”

“In fact, she’s got some nice things in nice places that don’t occur on me naturally without a little extra effort. I run for my sanity,” Zellweger added.

Renée Zellweger poses for ‘British Vogue’ shoot.Nikolai von Bismarck

Nikolai von Bismarck

As Grant — who isreturning as Lothario Daniel Cleaverin thefourth flick, after not starring in the third movie — asked how far Zellweger could run, she responded, “I’ll sprint a mile.”

“Not every day. Three times a week,” theJudyactress said while discussing her workout regime.

When asked about sit-ups, Zellweger quipped, “I have to. I have herniated discs.”

Bridget’s obsessive calorie counting — whichauthor Helen Fieldinghas said came directly from her own university diaries — has been among the things criticized about the character through the years.

Whilespeaking to PEOPLEin June 2024, Fielding, 66, insisted, “Bridget has come in for criticism from the very moment she was published — particularly from people who don’t understand irony. My feeling is that if we as women can’t be ironic, or laugh at our imperfections then we haven’t got very far at being equal, have we?”

“And let’s face it, women worrying about body image was a reality when I first wrote Bridget and is even more of a reality now,” she added.

“To me, the ability to laugh at yourself is a mark of strength not weakness. The origin of writing Bridget was honest and from the heart. There was no grand sociological intention behind it. The fact that it resonated with so many people spoke for itself — there was clearly some truth there. I think it’s better to look at the reasons why the voice resonates than to complain about its existence,” Fielding continued.

“Sharon was hoping we could show that Bridget had achieved her ideal weight, but at the same time it didn’t mean her life was perfect,” Zellweger told the outlet at the time.

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The upcomingBridget Jonesinstallment is expected to focus on the character as she navigates life as a single mother of two, following the death of her husband, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). She will also consider reentering the dating pool.

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Emma Thompson(who played Bridget’s doctor in the third installment) will also be among the returning cast members. Meanwhile,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Isla Fisher,Josette Simon,Nico Parker,Leila FarzadandLeo Woodallare joining the cast.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boybegins streaming exclusively on Peacock Feb. 13, 2025.

source: people.com