The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
What critics said about Renee Zellweger’s casting as Bridget Jones: ‘Crap American Comedian Playing British Icon’
Actor went on to win an Oscar nomination for her performance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bridget Jones is widely regarded as Renee Zellweger’s defining role, and one which fans continue to celebrate to this day.
But not everyone was so supportive when Zellweger was first cast as the quintessential single woman living in London.
This week marks 20 years since Zellweger first appeared as Bridget in the 2001 film Bridget Jones’s Diary.
In a resurfaced interview from 2016, the actor opened up about the British backlash she faced after being cast in the role, which was already famous due to Helen Fielding’s bestselling 1996 novel.
The decision to cast an American actor as the British heroine was not met with enthusiasm, especially given Zellwegger had triumphed against household names such as Helena Bonham Carton, Rachel Weisz and Emily Watson.
As pointed out by Yahoo, an Evening Standard columnist wrote of the casting: “Of all the clunking, Hollywood idiocy.”
Speaking about the initial backlash, Zellweger said she “didn’t realise just how widespread this controversy was”.
Ahead of filming Bridget Jones’s Diary, the actor went undercover working as a trainee in the publicity department of the London book publisher Picador to prepare for the role.
“I was going to work every day,” she told Yahoo. “I would start with a dialect coach and then I’d go to work at Picador and do my tasks around the office.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Zellweger explained that a part of her “work experience” was cutting clippings in the media that concerned authors that Picador represented, including Fielding.
“So every now and then something would pop up and I would see ‘Crap American Comedian Playing English Icon’, and I’d have to cut it out and go put it in the file,” she said.
Zellweger, however, added that she was unaware of how strong the backlash was.
“I thought it was just a tiny little thing. I didn’t realise just how widespread this controversy was,” she said. “I mean, I understand it. I get it.”
Zellweger went on to win both an Oscar nomination and a Bafta nod for her performance as the British icon.
She reprised the role for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason followed in 2004 and Bridget Jones’s Baby, which arrived 12 years later in 2016.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments