Fans of the ‘Bridget Jones’ series can celebrate the release of ‘Crazy About Him’, the fourth film, premiering in German cinemas on February 27 after a record-breaking UK debut. Renée Zellweger reprises her role as Bridget, who navigates life as a widow in Hampstead with her children. Iconic London locations feature prominently, including Borough Market and Hampstead Heath Park, enhancing the film’s connection to the city and its rich cinematic history.
After nearly a decade of anticipation, fans can finally rejoice with the release of the much-awaited fourth installment of the beloved ‘Bridget Jones’ series. Titled ‘Crazy About Him’, this latest chapter will hit German cinemas on February 27, following a successful premiere in the UK that shattered box office records.
Renée Zellweger, 55, returns to her iconic role as the charmingly disheveled Bridget, achieving the highest box office opening for a romantic comedy ever seen in the UK and Ireland. The enduring popularity of this iconic character, conceived by British author Helen Fielding, 67, in the 1990s, remains as vibrant as ever, even 24 years after the original film’s debut.
This excitement is palpable in London, Bridget’s hometown. Not only do the city’s iconic red double-decker buses showcase the movie poster prominently, but numerous film tours, including BritMovieTours, offer fans the chance to explore filming locations. Visitors can walk in Bridget’s footsteps, discovering both nostalgic and new sites featured in the film.
Borough Market: The Beginning of a Journey
At the heart of Borough Market, just a stone’s throw from London Bridge, lies the residence of Bridget Jones from the earlier films. This quintessential British brick house makes an appearance in the new film, where Bridget embarks on her first date with the considerably younger Roxter (Leo Woodall, 28).
Snapping selfies at the door where Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, 64) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, 64) once awaited her is an absolute must. However, fans won’t be able to step inside the apartment, as it was filmed in a studio. Instead, since September 2024, the space has been transformed into the Thai BBQ restaurant ‘Khao Bird’, featuring a unique cocktail called ‘Bridget’s Blue Soup’, made with coconut milk and vodka, paying homage to Bridget’s infamous soup disaster from the first film.
A New Chapter in Hampstead
In this latest film, a widowed Bridget navigates life with her two children in the affluent Hampstead neighborhood, known for its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture. A stroll through this charming area not only reveals her new home but also other filming locations featured in the movie. Notably, Flask Walk, a quaint pedestrian lane near Hampstead High Street, stands out as a true gem.
This bustling street is graced with traditional pubs, cozy cafés, and boutique shops. For filming, the alley was transformed into a winter wonderland in the midst of summer, where Bridget treats her daughter to a hot chocolate.
In Hampstead Heath Park, Bridget’s first encounter with Roxter occurs while she finds herself hilariously stuck in a large oak tree. Dubbed the ‘men’s tree’ in the film, it sits on Parliament Hill, a popular spot offering breathtaking views of London.
Also in Hampstead is the Ottolenghi restaurant, where in ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’, Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey, 59) raves about a grilled salmon with pine nut salsa—a dish that, according to rumors, was not on the menu until after the film’s release, when the renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi made it a culinary classic.
Iconic Filming Locations with Stunning Backdrops
The ‘Bridget Jones’ series brilliantly utilizes London’s most famous landmarks as picturesque backdrops. In the original film, Bridget strolls across the vibrant Tower Bridge while reading a text message from Daniel Cleaver. The lively Piccadilly Circus features prominently as well, showcasing Bridget’s diary entries on the dazzling illuminated billboards.
Another significant location is the Royal Courts of Justice, where Mark Darcy, a human rights lawyer, is involved in a high-profile case that Bridget is reporting on in the first film. In her haste to grab snacks and cigarettes, she misses the verdict, with the tobacco shop where she stops conveniently located just across from the courthouse.
A Paradise for Film Enthusiasts
What began in 2001 as a modest apartment above Borough Market has blossomed into a cinematic tribute to London. For those eager to delve deeper into Bridget Jones’s filming locations, VisitBritain offers a wealth of information.
The official tourism website for Great Britain has launched a new global film tourism campaign called ‘Britain in the Spotlight’. ‘Bridget Jones’ is just one of the many blockbusters filmed across Great Britain. With a plethora of filming sites for major hits like ‘Harry Potter’, ‘James Bond’, and ‘Mission Impossible’, London stands as a true haven for film fans, conveniently located just a short distance from Germany.