The “Bridget Jones” franchise is long beloved by fans, due in extremely large part to Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of the title character. So, yes, the actress was a resource director Michael Morris turned to a lot while making the fourth film — and there was one particular insight from the Oscar winner that he says unlocked the whole thing.

Inside Renée Zellweger's life in and out of the spotlight as Bridget Jones hits cinemas - The Standard looks back on her life and career as the Bridget Jones film is released next month

Although audiences can expect plenty more of the joyful hijinks and slapstick shenanigans we've come to expect from this franchise, the new film also has a profound emotional core, picking up with Bridget four years after the death of her true love Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) on a humanitarian mission in Sudan.