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Renée Zellweger has described the new statue of Bridget Jones as “endearing”, explaining, “I think, it’s far more charming than me.”

The actress was speaking as the new statue honoring the beloved figure she played for over two decades was uncovered in London’s Leicester Square on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was introduced in 1996 by writer Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the cinema in the early 2000s. The latest installment came out this past February.

Speaking at the unveiling, Fielding did not dismiss taking her story further, remarking you should “always keep options open.”

Zellweger added that people everywhere can see themselves in Bridget, which highlights her enduring charm.

“It’s her sensitivity, her authenticity,” she said. “We recognise ourselves in her, we connect in her challenges.

“It makes it OK for the others to be genuinely who we are. Imperfect.”

The figure of Bridget Jones touched many women’s hearts, who took comfort in her ups and downs.

From her humorous work blunders, to her iconic granny pants, Bridget resonated with a demographic who saw themselves in her—and has recently won over a new generation of Gen Z followers too.

The new installment in the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in February, and sees Bridget navigating life as a widowed mom and exploring modern dating.

It garnered varied critiques, but recorded the best theatrical launch ever for a rom-com in the UK and Ireland, according to data.

The film was described as the conclusion in the series—but speaking at the statue unveiling, two superfans, Faye and Wayne, said they were certain there would be a next chapter.

“There are so many things that were not wrapped up at the conclusion of the last film,” said Faye.

“Her character keeps growing. I want to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the later years,” said Wayne.

When prompted about the chance of a next installment in Bridget Jones’ journey, Fielding said: “Never say never. Ideas arrive as a author. So if a narrative was inspired that I thought was true and engaging and new then I would pursue it.”

A few commentators think the struggling and imperfect lead, who’s obsessed over her body image and romantic situation, is not the best inspiration.

And Fielding herself has previously admitted that elements of the series have not aged well.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary couldn’t be written in the present day, set now, because all those male coworkers would be fired,” she said last year. “It was a completely other era.”

But commenting on Monday, she said she aspired the overarching idea of the book would remain relevant for audiences.

“I think, to have the solace of observing a figure that you can connect with, because they are real and human and open, it’s like having the companion you can be true with,” she said.

The statue is the first to celebrate a love story on Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail.

The Scenes in the Square display originally launched in 2020 with the installation of eight sculptures featuring comedy legends, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

In the time since, sculptures of the wizard hero, the royal chair from Game of Thrones, the beloved dog and Indiana Jones have been installed.