Bridget Jones star Chiwetel Ejiofor reveals how he feels to play a love interest in a rom-com for the very first time as he's set to appear as Renée Zellweger's onscreen fling
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Chiwetel Ejiofor has revealed his thoughts on playing a love interest in a romantic comedy film for the first time. The actor, 47, is set to star alongside Renee Zellweger in upcoming comedy/romance film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he portrays a teacher who has a fling with the titular character following the death of her husband Mark Darcy.
![[The actor, 47, is set to star alongside Renee Zellweger [pictured] in upcoming comedy/romance film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he portrays a teacher who has a fling with the titular character following the death of her husband Mark Darcy]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/93317293-14210261-image-m-45_1734618692315.jpg)
Though Chiwetel has portrayed a romantic partner in films before, most notably featuring as Peter alongside Keira Knightley in Love Actually, this will be the first time his onscreen love affair will be central to the plot of a traditional rom-com. In a new interview with FAULT magazine, Chiwetel - who's past roles have ranged from the tragic Solomon Northup in 12 Years A Slave to the cunning Mordo in the Doctor Strange films - opened up about his romantic role in the fourth installment of the hit franchise ahead of its Valentine's Day release.
![[In a new interview with FAULT magazine , Chiwetel opened up about his romantic role in the fourth installment of the hit franchise ahead of its Valentine's Day release]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/93317079-14210261-image-a-44_1734618676814.jpg)
Noting that he hadn't gone out of his way to avoid such roles, Chiwetel - who portrays teacher Mr Wallaker - explained: 'I don't believe I've ever avoided them in my acting. I feel like I've always been excited about different roles what a part means, and what a character means.
![['I haven't either leaned into or avoided anything in my career, and I don't think I ever would. I don't believe there's a genre I wouldn't do. I'm excited about parts, I'm excited about characters, I'm excited about stories']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/93316631-14210261-image-a-47_1734618922835.jpg)
'I haven't either leaned into or avoided anything in my career, and I don't think I ever would. I don't believe there's a genre I wouldn't do. I'm excited about parts, I'm excited about characters, I'm excited about stories, and I'm excited about audiences -what engages an audience and what moves an audience.'.
![[He went on to say that all of the elements he listed came together 'really beautifully' in Bridget Jones, adding that his character is 'truly fascinating' to portray]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/93317231-14210261-image-a-43_1734618662357.jpg)
