Renee Zellweger recently opened up about her casting in the beloved Bridget Jones films, a decision that sparked significant debate due to her American nationality.
Initially, many critics expressed their discontent over Zellweger portraying a quintessentially British character. However, the actress ultimately proved her critics wrong by delivering memorable performances in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016).
In a candid interview, Zellweger shared that she was largely unaware of the backlash during filming. To immerse herself in the role, she worked in the publicity department of a publishing company in London, which kept her busy and shielded from media criticisms.
“I would start with a dialect coach and then I'd go to work at Picador,” she recalled. “I didn’t know about it,” she admitted, referring to the negative comments surrounding her casting.
As her filming approached, she began to notice some of the media's opinions. “Every now and then something would pop up and I would see 'Crap American Comedian Playing English Icon,'” she noted, describing her surprise at the extent of the controversy.
Zellweger concluded, “I thought it was just a tiny little thing. I didn’t realize just how widespread this controversy was. I mean, I understand it. I get it.”