Chiwetel Ejiofor has revealed his thoughts on playing a love interest in a romantic comedy film for the first time.
The actor, 47, is set to star alongside Renee Zellweger in upcoming comedy/romance film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he portrays a teacher who has a fling with the titular character following the death of her husband Mark Darcy.
Though Chiwetel has portrayed a romantic partner in films before, most notably featuring as Peter alongside Keira Knightley in Love Actually, this will be the first time his onscreen love affair will be central to the plot of a traditional rom-com.
In a new interview with FAULT magazine, Chiwetel – who’s past roles have ranged from the tragic Solomon Northup in 12 Years A Slave to the cunning Mordo in the Doctor Strange films – opened up about his romantic role in the fourth installment of the hit franchise ahead of its Valentine’s Day release.
Noting that he hadn’t gone out of his way to avoid such roles, Chiwetel – who portrays teacher Mr Wallaker – explained: ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever avoided them in my acting. I feel like I’ve always been excited about different roles what a part means, and what a character means.
‘I haven’t either leaned into or avoided anything in my career, and I don’t think I ever would. I don’t believe there’s a genre I wouldn’t do. I’m excited about parts, I’m excited about characters, I’m excited about stories, and I’m excited about audiences -what engages an audience and what moves an audience.’
Chiwetel Ejiofor has revealed his thoughts on playing a love interest in a romantic comedy film for the first time
![The actor, 47, is set to star alongside Renee Zellweger [pictured] in upcoming comedy/romance film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he portrays a teacher who has a fling with the titular character following the death of her husband Mark Darcy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/93317293-14210261-image-m-45_1734618692315.jpg)
The actor, 47, is set to star alongside Renee Zellweger [pictured] in upcoming comedy/romance film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he portrays a teacher who has a fling with the titular character following the death of her husband Mark Darcy
He went on to say that all of the elements he listed came together ‘really beautifully’ in Bridget Jones, adding that his character is ‘truly fascinating’ to portray.
Meanwhile, the Z For Zachariah actor gave his thoughts on romance in the cinema for over 40s, noting how sexiness and romantic life is ‘joyfully reflected’ and ’embraced’ on screen at all ages, especially middle age.
Amid the fact that a majority of the cast are over 40, Chiwetel continued: ‘I think there’s a recent tendency to focus on specific age groups when exploring attraction and romance, but historically, films have embraced love and relationships in middle age and beyond. So, it’s not a departure from cinema traditions. I think the Bridget Jones films resonate because audiences have grown up with Bridget, reflecting on their romantic experiences – both the ways we mature and the ways we don’t.’
He went on to explain that while there’s ‘youthful romantic energy’, these films delve deeper, exploring the ‘enduring ideas of romance’, no matter what ‘stage of life’ you’re in.
In the new Bridget Jones film, Bridget enjoys a fling with Chiwetel’s teacher character, as well as reviving her on-off relationship with Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver.
She will also embark on a love affair with a much younger man named Rockstar, played by One Day star Leo Woodall, 27, in the film.
The movie is based on the novel of the same name as Bridget battles motherhood alone following the tragic death of Mark, who was played in the previous films by Colin Firth, 63.
Renee and Leo were spotted filming together on May 18 in hilarious scenes as Bridget got stuck up a tree in Hampstead Heath.
In a new interview with FAULT magazine , Chiwetel opened up about his romantic role in the fourth installment of the hit franchise ahead of its Valentine’s Day release
‘I haven’t either leaned into or avoided anything in my career, and I don’t think I ever would. I don’t believe there’s a genre I wouldn’t do. I’m excited about parts, I’m excited about characters, I’m excited about stories’
He went on to say that all of the elements he listed came together ‘really beautifully’ in Bridget Jones, adding that his character is ‘truly fascinating’ to portray
Chiwetel and Renee in the romantic comedy sequel
Meanwhile, the Z For Zachariah actor gave his thoughts on romance in the cinema for over 40s, noting how sexiness and romantic life is ‘joyfully reflected’ and ’embraced’ on screen at all ages, especially middle age
Rockstar, who works as a park warden, seemingly comes to her rescue dressed in an all green uniform.
One onlooker said: ‘Leo and Renee looked like they were having a great time. There were lots of giggles, they seemed to get on really well.’
Bridget Jones filming comes on the heels of sheer delight from fans after the announcement of the beloved character’s return to the big screen.
Renee first appeared as Bridget in 2001’s Bridget Jones’ Diary and returned in 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and 2016’s Bridget Jones’ Baby.
The movie was officially confirmed earlier this year, with Renée and Hugh Grant’s comebacks made official – after his love rat character Daniel Cleaver’s death was falsified in 2016’s third instalment.
The fourth movie in the franchise – based on the books by Helen Fielding – will be released by Universal film on US platform Peacock on Valentine’s Day 2025 while internationally, the flick will be released in cinemas.
Emma Thompson – who played Doctor Rawlings in the last film, is also back, with Chiwetel and White Lotus star Leo also set to star.