The arrival of Bridgerton Season 3 brings a focus on Penelope and Colin’s shift from friends to lovers, as well as Francesca Bridgerton’s society debut. However, a surprising main character this season is the regal mean girl Cressida Cowper. Viewers are treated to Cowper’s love story as well as the revelation of who she marries in the books.
Cressida Cowper, portrayed by Jessica Madsen, was first introduced in Season 1 of Bridgerton during Daphne’s debut. Despite unsuccessful romances in the past, she remains hopeful for a successful courtship. In Season 3, she sets her sights on Lord Debling, a wealthy and eccentric suitor who is more interested in Penelope. Cowper continues her bullying ways but begins to show a softer side with the help of an unlikely friendship with Eloise.
As Cowper and Eloise’s friendship develops, viewers see a different side of Cressida. In a vulnerable moment, Cowper opens up to Eloise about her struggles with loneliness and the difficulty of finding friends. Madsen, in an interview with StyleCaster, spoke about her character’s evolution, expressing hope that viewers will see Cressida’s growth throughout the season.
Despite Cressida Cowper’s family wealth and status, she remains unmarried in the show, deviating from the books where she eventually marries Lord Twombley. The show’s portrayal of Cowper differs slightly from the books, leaving her love story for a later time. It remains unclear how the show will handle Cressida’s marriage to Lord Twombley or if his character will be introduced in future seasons.
Fans are speculating on the direction of Cressida’s love life, with some hoping for a queer storyline involving a relationship with Eloise. However, the fifth book in the series focuses on Eloise’s romance with Sir Phillip Crane, making a relationship between Cressida and Eloise unlikely. Viewers will have to wait to see how Cressida’s story unfolds in future Bridgerton seasons.
Bridgerton Season 3, part one, is currently streaming on Netflix, with the second part set to be released on June 13, 2024. As viewers dive into the latest season, they can expect drama, romance, and unexpected twists as characters like Cressida Cowper navigate love, friendship, and societal expectations.
