The night the third “Bridget Jones” novel, “Mad About the Boy,” came out in October 2013, author Helen Fielding was taking a walk in London when she passed her local pub and was accosted by a tipsy patron.

When I write Bridget now, I write for Renée,” Fielding told PEOPLE. Zellweger starred as titular character Bridget Jones in the 2001 film adaptation of Fielding’s novel, a

Zellweger’s Bridget is now a widow – and romanced by both Leo Woodall’s younger man and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s kindly teacher – and this sequel, adapted from Helen Fielding’s third book in her series of novels,

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces."

Renée Zellweger and Helen Fielding, author of the “Bridget Jones” books, join TODAY to talk about the new film called “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” It follows Bridget who is now a single mom of two and diving back into the dating pool after losing her husband,

Director Michael Morris didn't have to worry about Renée Zellweger rediscovering her role as Bridget Jones in Mad About the Boy - she was back in character before he even called action. "It is absolutely true to say that she walks in as Bridget and there's something really profoundly affecting about that,