‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Alum Patrick Dempsey to star in new ‘Bridget Jones’ film

Patrick Dempsey has reportedly joined “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” the third installment in the popular “Bridget Jones’s Diary” franchise.

Dempsey has been cast opposite Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth, who are returning to reprise their roles as Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, in “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” Variety reported. The details about Dempsey’s role have not been revealed.

Hugh Grant, who played Daniel Cleaver in the previous two installments, is not going to be part of the third film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. And Sharon Maguire, who helmed the original film, is set to direct the third film as well.

The new “Bridget Jones” film is likely to be based on Helen Fielding’s third novel, “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” She reportedly has co-written the initial drafts of the script with David Nicholls.

In the third book, the protagonist “attempts to navigate single parenthood, online dating, loos and love,” THR reported.

The first film, released in 2001, was based on Fielding’s first novel “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” and its sequel, “Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason,” was released in 2004.

Dempsey, 49, has appeared both on small and big screen. He is best known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd, or McDreamy, in ABC’s popular drama series “Grey’s Anatomy.” He has also starred in films such as “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Valentine’s Day” and “Enchanted.”

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