On a brisk Monday morning in London, a new figure took her place among the city’s cinematic legends: Bridget Jones, Britain’s famously imperfect romcom heroine, now stands immortalized in bronze in Leicester Square. The unveiling of her statue on November 17, 2025, marked a milestone not just for the beloved character, but also for the millions who have seen themselves in her awkward, heartfelt journey over the past quarter-century.
Renée Zellweger, the Oscar-winning actress who first brought Bridget Jones to life in 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary, was front and center at the ceremony. She was joined by author Helen Fielding, whose columns and novels introduced Bridget to the world more than 30 years ago, and by Sally Phillips, a fixture in the film series. Also present were Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, stars of the latest installment, Mad About the Boy, as well as director Michael Morris and Working Title co-chair Eric Fellner. The event was a celebration, complete with a pink carpet and a crowd eager to glimpse the new addition to the Scenes in the Square trail.
The statue depicts Bridget in a creased miniskirt and cardigan, clutching her iconic diary and a pen—props that have come to symbolize her candid, self-reflective nature. Gone are the cigarettes and chardonnay of earlier films, reflecting the character’s evolution in Mad About the Boy, where a widowed Bridget juggles single motherhood and new romantic entanglements. According to The Guardian, Phillips noted, “She’s not very drunk in the fourth film. She works without wine because the mess-ups are not just alcohol related.” The statue’s wardrobe, however, harks back to Bridget’s early days, blending nostalgia with a nod to her latest chapter.
Zellweger, ever self-effacing, told BBC News, “I think she’s much cuter than me.” When asked by Reuters about seeing herself immortalized, Zellweger admitted, “It’s pretty crazy. It’s kind of strange. It's not something that you... ever expect... it’s quite a surprise.” She added, “I mean, she's adorable... she's really cute. Looks like Bridget to me.” The statue’s exposed midriff and undone buttons even prompted Zellweger to joke, “Well, it’s very real.” The sense of fun and imperfection that has always defined Bridget was on full display, both in the artwork and the spirit of the event.
Helen Fielding, whose creation has now been translated into more than 40 languages, reflected on the character’s enduring popularity. “The gap between how we all feel we’re expected to be and how we actually are. Bridget doesn’t have a superpower. She can’t fly like Mary Poppins. She can’t do wizardry. She’s certainly not a bear. But those very British qualities of kindness, support for your friends, of community, and the ability to laugh at all your imperfections – the perfection of imperfection – makes her relatable to people,” Fielding told The Guardian. She also noted the significance of younger generations embracing the character: “My daughter's generation now like Bridget, and that means a huge amount to me because it hardly ever happens. So I feel very, very lucky, and yeah, I'm proud of Bridget.”
Bridget Jones’s journey from newspaper column to global icon is a testament to the power of relatable storytelling. First appearing in a column by Fielding more than three decades ago, Bridget quickly became a touchstone for women navigating modern life’s pitfalls and expectations. The first film, released in 2001 with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as her main love interests, was a box office smash. Three sequels followed: The Edge of Reason (2004), Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016), and Mad About the Boy (2025). Collectively, the films have grossed an impressive $900 million worldwide, according to The Guardian.
The latest film, Mad About the Boy, released in February 2025, was a particular triumph in the UK and Ireland, boasting the best box office opening ever for a romantic comedy in those markets, Universal data confirmed. It took £46 million in the UK alone and stands as the second highest-grossing film of the year there. However, its direct-to-streaming release in the US left director Michael Morris and producer Eric Fellner disappointed. “It’s deemed that, in America, anything that isn’t a big cinematic event ends up on streaming,” Fellner remarked. “We disagree and think that good stories really work in a communal shared experience.” Morris, for his part, expressed hope that a fifth film might follow.
The statue itself is the newest addition to Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail, launched in 2020 to celebrate film history at the heart of London’s entertainment district. Bridget now keeps company with the likes of Harry Potter, Paddington Bear, Mr. Bean, Batman, Laurel and Hardy, and even the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bridget’s statue is the first in the trail to honor a romantic comedy character—a fitting tribute to a woman who has become, as many have said, a national treasure in Britain.
For Fielding, the statue’s placement in Leicester Square carries special meaning. “I’m from Leeds,” she shared, “And all the humour in Bridget is based on northern comedy; on the joke of bringing fancy things down to earth. There’s so much creative talent and humour up north, but honestly, if I speak at the Yorkshire Children’s Charity or something, I’m shocked.” She also used the occasion to call for fairer arts funding across the UK, stressing the cultural and economic value of creative industries.
Eric Fellner drew a parallel between Fielding and another British literary giant, J.K. Rowling, whose Harry Potter also stands in the square. “Creativity from one individual can become this massive thing on a global scale,” he said. “Politicians like to look at industry as hard things but creativity is an industry in its own right, and you need to get more young people from all walks of life able to come up with ideas like Joanne [Rowling] and Helen. The more intellectual property that’s created the better it is for this country.”
As the pink carpet faded and the crowds drifted away, the statue stood as a reminder of Bridget Jones’s unique place in British—and global—culture. She may not have superpowers, but her honesty, humor, and vulnerability have made her a fixture in the hearts of many. As Fielding wryly noted, “I think we know it’s not Nelson’s column. It may not be there in three centuries. But nevertheless it is quite a lovely thing that Bridget means something in this country.”
