Renée Zellweger's on-screen lover Leo Woodall reveals major change made to Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
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Leo Woodall has revealed that his role in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy was set to be drastically different.
In the fourth movie in the romantic comedy saga, Londoner Leo plays Hampstead Heath park worker Roxster, who meets the clumsy and lovelorn TV worker (Renee Zellweger) after rescuing her from a tree.
The film is set to shine a light on age gap romances, navigating how 51-year-old Bridget handles dating 29-year-old Roxster, and a love triangle with Mr. Wallaker - played by Chiwetel Ejiofor - a teacher at Bridget's son's school.
Leo, 28, approached the role very differently to how it was filmed, however, revealing his character was initially meant to be Scottish.
Joining Renee, 55, on The Graham Norton Show, which will air on Friday night, Leo explained: 'He was supposed to be Scottish. I went into the audition prepared to do it in a Scottish accent and once I did it, they changed their minds!'
Leo Woodall has revealed that his role in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy was set to be drastically different, with film bosses originally wanting his character to be Scottish
Leo joined co-star Renee Zellweger, 55, on The Graham Norton Show, which will air on Friday night at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer
Leo plays Hampstead Heath park worker Roxster, who meets the clumsy and lovelorn TV worker Bridget after rescuing her from a tree
The upcoming film takes place four years after the death of Bridget's husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), and sees her readjust to the single life.
It also includes the return of Hugh Grant, who continues in the role of former lover Daniel Cleaver – who had been killed off in the third film, Bridget Jones's Baby.
Leo, also known for Netflix's One Day and HBO hit series The White Lotus, said he did not really get to know Hugh during the filming of the movie but they have since mingled at the premieres and press events.
He said: 'I didn't get to work with Hugh, and I was too shy to say hello to him. Everyone keep asking me, "What he's like?" and I have to say, "I don't know, I haven't met him".'
Renee revealed said she was 'hopeful' for Hugh's return 'but also surprised (because) he was dead'.
'But if you are going to bring someone back to life, let it be Daniel Cleaver,' she added.
'I am so glad they found him alive at the end of the third film so he could come back if he wanted to. He is so brilliant.'
She also spoke about how Bridget has addressed 'the dark moments' with grief of Mark dying in her 'own way'.
Leo explained: 'He was supposed to be Scottish. I went into the audition prepared to do it in a Scottish accent and once I did it, they changed their minds!'
Renee revealed said she was 'hopeful' for Hugh Grant's return 'but also surprised (because) he was dead', adding: 'But if you are going to bring someone back to life, let it be Daniel Cleaver'
Renee added: 'I am so glad they found him alive at the end of the third film so he could come back if he wanted to. He is so brilliant' (Hugh pictured in the film)
'No one gets to this stage of life without knowing grief and it wouldn't be authentic without a little struggle,' she added.
The new film is based on British author Helen Fielding's 2013 book Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, which sees the character as a widow in her 50s with two children.
The trailer sees Bridget being encouraged to get back on the horse by her friends after self-imposing a four-year sex ban in the years following Mark's death.
She also quits her job working in television to do the school run, with comical scenes expected as she struggles to keep up with the Yummy Mummies.
During a trip to the park, Bridget finds her two children have got themselves stuck in a tree where she is rescued by two dashing dashing men in the form of The White Lotus star's Leo and Oscar nominee Chiwetel.
She soon finds herself in the middle of a three-way battle for her affections between toy boy Roxster, PE teacher Mr. Wallaker and the notorious Daniel Cleaver.
Fans can also rejoice as one particularly sexy scene sees Roxster jump into a pool in front of her to rescue a little dog - in a moment mirroring the iconic Mr Darcy Pride and Prejudice look.
As the trailer unravels, Bridget's romance with Roxster heats up and the pair have 'mind-blowing sex' after a date.
Host Graham Norton with (L-R) Cyndi Lauper, Renee, Leo, Sterling K Brow and Anthony Mackie
However Bridget is left confused as flirtatious meetings with Mr Wallaker increase and she eventually stumbles into a barn to find him half-naked.
The movie was officially confirmed last year, with the script being penned by author Helen, Abi Morgan and Dan Mazer, and Michael Morris as director.
Bridget Jones, Mad About The Boy will hit cinema screens on February 14.
The Graham Norton Show airs Friday at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
