It is a universally acknowledged truth that Bridget Jones films are packed with humour and comedic scenes that attract viewers in their droves.
However, in a slight departure, Hugh Grant has revealed that the fourth film in the series will also be “very sad”.
The Love Actually star, 64, has reprised the role of Daniel Cleaver for the upcoming movie, adapted from Helen Fielding’s novel Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
In the latest instalment, due out on Valentine’s Day next year, Bridget navigates life as a single mother after the death of her husband, Mark Darcy.
Grant told the Graham Norton Show: “It is a good and moving script – it is extremely funny but very sad.”
He also revealed that he was “crammed in” as there was “no obvious role” for his character, who was a former love interest of Bridget.
“So we didn’t have a 60-year-old Daniel Cleaver wandering around looking at young girls, I made up a good interim story for him.”
The Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger has reprised her role in the film, the script for which was written by Fielding.
So far, the production studio has been tight-lipped as to how closely the new film will follow the storyline of the book.
Grant also spoke candidly about his parents’ view of his acting career, admitting that “they were not at all supportive”.
“My mother was a churchgoer and wanted me to be the archbishop of Canterbury,” he said. “In their world showbusiness meant nothing.
“I remember when Four Weddings And A Funeral came out, my mother went to a dinner party with like-minded people and when asked about her two sons she said: ‘One is an investment banker and the other is a film star.’
“Another guest said: ‘How very interesting, which bank?’ That’s the world I grew up in.”
Despite not apparently impressing his parents with his career choice, Grant has become a household name.
After making his feature film acting debut in 1982 in Privileged, Grant’s credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Two Weeks Notice.
In recent years he has appeared in Paddington 2, The Gentlemen and the musical fantasy Wonka.
As well as being a Bafta award winner, Grant is a twice Emmy Award nominee.