Patrick Dempsey in talks to join 'Bridget Jones' sequel

LONDON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Actor Patrick Dempsey is closing in on a deal to star opposite Rene Zellweger in a new Bridget Jones sequel.

According to Deadline, this third installment entitled Bridget Jones's Baby will begin production Oct. 2 in the UK.

The story will once again focus on Zellweger's Jones as the British publishing executive becomes pregnant while entering into her 40s. Colin Firth will also be returning as love interest Mark Darcy but not series regular Hugh Grant, a role Dempsey's new character may fill.

Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding is helping develop the film which will be based on columns written by the author instead of her latest novel, Mad About The Boy which saw Jones with a couple of kids after the death of Firth's character.

This will be the first role for Dempsey since exiting Grey's Anatomy back in April. Viewers reactions to Dempsey's Derek Shepherd dying on the show caught co-star Ellen Pompeo off guard, who recently opened up about Dempsey's departure to Entertainment Weekly.