If you had told me a few years ago that we’d be seeing a fifth Only Murders in the Building star or a fourth Bridget Jones movie in the works, I’d probably have asked if you’d been hitting the Chardonnay a bit too hard. But here we are. 2024 has been a massive, somewhat chaotic, and ultimately triumphant year for the woman who once made us all feel better about wearing "giant knickers."
Renee Zellweger 2024 isn't just a comeback. Honestly, she never really left, but the momentum she’s built over the last twelve months feels different from her Judy Oscar run. It’s more personal. More varied.
One minute she’s spotted in a puffer jacket and an orange baseball cap running errands in Los Angeles, looking like any other person trying to find a decent parking spot. The next, she’s headlining one of the most anticipated streaming sequels of the decade. She’s navigating that weird Hollywood space where you can be a two-time Academy Award winner and still be the subject of "are they or aren't they" rumors regarding your living situation with a British TV mechanic.
It’s been a busy year.
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The Bridget Jones Renaissance: Mad About the Boy
The biggest news for most people was the April 2024 confirmation that Bridget is back. If you’re a fan of the Helen Fielding books, you know the vibe of Mad About the Boy is... heavy. It’s not just "which handsome man will I choose?" anymore.
Filming kicked off in London around May 9, 2024. Seeing those paparazzi shots of Renee back in character—this time as a widow in her 50s navigating the terrifying world of dating apps and younger men—was a trip. She’s playing a version of Bridget who has lost Mark Darcy (RIP to the king of itchy Christmas sweaters).
- The Cast: Hugh Grant is back as Daniel Cleaver, which is honestly hilarious given he skipped the third movie.
- The New Blood: Leo Woodall from The White Lotus joined as the "younger man," and Chiwetel Ejiofor is in the mix too.
- The Timeline: Production wrapped in August 2024, right on schedule for that February 2025 release we’re all waiting for.
Hugh Grant actually went on record saying this script is the best one yet. He’s usually pretty cynical, so that carries some weight. He called it "very moving" but also "very funny." Basically, expect to cry into your Ben & Jerry’s.
Why Renee Zellweger 2024 is More Than Just a Rom-Com
While everyone was talking about the diary, Renee was quietly diversifying. She signed on for a series adaptation of James Patterson’s 12 Months to Live (under the title Jane Smith) at Max. She’s not just acting in it; she’s executive producing.
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She also spent a good chunk of 2024 working on something called They. It’s an animated short film about "toxic negativity" that took her seven years to finish. Think about that. Seven years. Most people can’t stick to a gym routine for seven days. She premiered it at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and it’s basically her directorial debut. It’s hand-drawn, 2D, and clearly a passion project born from conversations she had with a sick friend.
It’s these kinds of pivots that make the Renee Zellweger 2024 era so interesting. She’s less of a "movie star" and more of a "storyteller" now.
What’s the deal with Ant Anstead?
Look, people love a celebrity romance. Renee and Ant Anstead have been together since 2021, and 2024 was the year the tabloids really tried to make "trouble in paradise" happen. There were reports about them living apart or being "on the rocks."
Ant eventually had to clap back, calling the rumors disrespectful. From everything we can actually verify, they’re still very much a thing. They’ve been seen together at events, and Ant has been pretty vocal about how "hands-on" and supportive Renee is. They seem to have found this quiet, low-key rhythm in Orange County that keeps them out of the worst of the Hollywood glare.
The Only Murders "Unrecognizable" Moment
Toward the end of the year, the internet lost its collective mind over photos of Renee on the set of Only Murders in the Building. She’s playing a billionaire named Camila White.
She looked... different. Strawberry blonde bob, chic outfits, totally different energy from the frazzled Englishwoman we know. It’s a recurring theme with her. Every time she changes her hair or puts on a different face for a role, the "unrecognizable" headlines start up again. But that’s literally her job. She’s a character actress trapped in a leading lady’s body.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Follow-ups
If you want to keep up with what’s coming next, here’s the roadmap for the immediate future:
- Mark February 13, 2025 on your calendar. That’s when Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy hits Peacock in the US and cinemas in the UK.
- Watch out for "Jane Smith" on Max. This is her transition into the "tough-as-nails" lawyer archetype, and it’s going to be a sharp departure from her softer roles.
- Check out Only Murders Season 5. Seeing her trade barbs with Steve Martin and Martin Short is going to be a masterclass in comedic timing.
- Ignore the "Living Apart" Drama. Unless there’s a formal statement, the couple seems to be doing just fine by keeping their private life, well, private.
Renee has always been someone who values her "quiet time" between projects. In 2024, she showed us that you can be productive without being "loud." She’s making movies, directing animation, producing TV, and somehow finding time to go grocery shopping in a baseball cap. It’s a good year to be a Renee fan.