Fans left hysterical over Bridget Jones announcement as ‘new rom com prince’ set to join cast

Buckle up Bridget Jones fans because the cast list for the fourth instalment of the franchise has just dropped - and it stars a new Netflix ‘king’.

In 1996, author Helen Fielding, 66, published Bridget Jones’s Diary - an epistolary novel chronicling the love life and career struggles of a stereotypical Londoner.

The sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason was published three years later and in 2001 Richard Curtis, 67, and Andrew Davies, 87, took a punt and brought the relatable singleton to the big screen.

And, as they say, the rest is history - three films and four books worth of history to be exact.

Excitingly, according to Deadline, Universal Pictures has officially announced that Renée Zellweger, 54, will return to reprise the titular role in Bridget Jones 4.

Bridget is back. (Universal Pictures)

The fourth film is set to be an adaptation of Helen’s 2013 novel Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and is set to star Renée and Hugh Grant.

The 63-year-old previously played loveable rogue Daniel Cleaver in the first two instalments of the franchise.

The flick will pick up with Bridget in her early fifties trying to juggle the responsibilities of motherhood.

Emma Thompson, 64, will also appear in the new movie alongside newcomer Chiwetel Ejiofor, 46.

But it’s 27-year-old Leo Woodall’s inclusion in the film that has fans buzzing across social media.

Following the announcement that the The White Lotus star would appear in the new movie, one X user wrote: “What did I say about Leo Woodall being the new rom com prince?”

A fourth instalment has been confirmed. (Universal)

A second agreed and said: “Leo Woodall officially in his romcom era we love to see it.”

“This Love Actually reunion and Love Actually being Leo Woodall's fave romcom ohhh i know he's jumping,” typed another.

A fifth added: “Was having a bad Wednesday until I found out Leo Woodall is gonna be in the 4th Bridget Jones movie.”

Another wrote: “Leo Woodall needs to step up as the next romcom king.”

Leo made his TV debut in a 2019 episode of Holby City and starred alongside Tom Holland in 2021’s Cherry.

Leo is joining the cast. (Netflix)

However, fans may be more familiar with his portrayal of Dexter Mayhew in Netflix’s One Day.

The 2024 adaptation of David Nicholls' novel premiered on the streaming service earlier this year and saw Leo playing the romantic lead alongside co-star Ambika Mod, 28.

One Day sees Dexter and Emma (Ambika) meeting on the night of their graduation.

However, before going their separate ways, the pair promise to remain forever friends and the series documents the next 20 years of their lives.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be released on Peacock on Valentine’s Day next year, and will also hit cinemas across the globe.