How Renée Zellweger’s Undercover Office Job Helped Shape Her Role in 'Bridget Jones’s Diary'

For her role as Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones's Diary, Renée Zellweger went to extraordinary lengths to embody the character. She gained 25 pounds to match Bridget’s relatable, slightly awkward appearance and adopted a British persona to make her portrayal authentic. To fully immerse herself in the role, Zellweger even worked at a British publishing company for a month, adopting an alias and speaking with a posh accent. During this time, she kept a framed photo of her then-boyfriend Jim Carrey on her desk, which she used as a personal touchstone.

Interestingly, many of her coworkers at the office didn’t recognize her, despite her obvious American accent and unfamiliarity with her true identity. They found it odd that she kept the photo of Jim Carrey on her desk but never mentioned it directly, perhaps out of politeness or embarrassment. This undercover experience helped Zellweger understand Bridget’s world and added depth to her performance.

Her dedication paid off, as she convincingly portrayed Bridget Jones as a lovable, relatable woman navigating life’s awkward moments. The behind-the-scenes effort highlights how much actors are willing to do to bring authenticity to their characters, even if it means working undercover for weeks.