Cressida Cowper was never the true villain in Bridgerton - here's why we think so

Netflix's hit Regency era drama Bridgerton is gearing up for Season 4.

Season 3 ended on a hopeful note for all except Cressida Cowper, who's now on her way to the countryside with her strict aunt.

Love her or hate her, but Cressida deserved better. Beneath her mean-girl personality and her shrewd tricks lay a deep-rooted insecurity triggered by societal expectations. It was heartbreaking to see the way her father treated her, and when the whole Lady Whistledown plan failed, she was forced to leave the ton and relocate to the Welsh countryside as a punishment.

Did she deserve the harsh treatment? The answer depends on how one feels about her character. All she wanted was a secure match, and when she failed to do so, she made a plan to secure funds to live independently. The plans (for instance, blackmailing Penelope) might not have been morally right, but she was left with no choice. For many, Cressida might be an antagonist, but everything she did was to ensure her survival in a world where reality is harsh and hidden under the glamour and glitz.

Keep reading to know more.

Cressida Cowper was never the true villain in Bridgerton

Cressida Cowper was introduced as a stereotypical, mean-spirited girl in Bridgerton Season 1.

She was overcompetitive and schemed to be the season's diamond but failed each time. First, she was Daphne's rival and tried to win Prince Frederick's affection in Season 1. In Season 2, she tried to win Jack Featherington's heart, but he turned out to be a scammer. And finally, in Season 3, she turned against Penelope and attempted to win over Lord Debling. It is during this time that she befriended Eloise.

Her friendship with Eloise was genuine, and viewers learnt a lot about Cressida through this arc. Her screentime increased, too. Plus, she always had the right advice for Eloise. It was quite clear from the start that all Cressida wanted was to secure a good match, but when she failed to do so, the societal pressure increased, and she finally spoke about it to Eloise.

In Episode 5 of Bridgerton Season 3, when Eloise was upset about Penelope and Colin's engagement, Cressida revealed that her parents were arranging her marriage to a much older man, Lord Greer. And honestly, for the first time, we all felt bad for Cressida as she was left with no choice but to accept her fate. Eloise might not have been the most supportive friend to Cressida, but she surely was a good influence. It was with Eloise that we saw Cressida refraining from gossip for a while.

In her conversation with Eloise, we learned that society looked down upon spinsters, and that led Cressida to a desperate search for a match.

Also, let's not forget her parents were never supportive. Unlike the Bridgerton siblings, who had a healthy relationship with their parents, Cressida's parents were toxic. She was humiliated for not being able to secure a match. Cressida was never really looking for a love match; all she wanted was money and good standing in society, and that was because no one taught her to seek love and respect. Her parents never moulded her that way. Unfortunately, emotional connection or love isn't a part of Cowper's family dictionary.

Yes, she had made mistakes in the past, even deliberately so. For instance, it was absolutely cruel of her to step on Penelope's dress, lie to the Queen, and later blackmail Pen and Colin about revealing the truth about Lady Whistledown. But did she have a choice? Everything she did was for her survival. For her, marrying was not for love; it was to gain freedom from her parents' nagging, freedom from society's taunts about her being a spinster, and more.

In a candid chat with Variety (Via Capital), Jessica Madsen, who plays Cressida Cowper, said,

"Cressida isn’t a villain in my eyes by any means. She’s a young girl trying to do her best with very limited information about life and a difficult childhood. She’s doing her best with the blueprint she’s given."

Will Cressida Cowper return in Bridgerton Season 4?

As of now, Cressida Cowper isn't a part of the official cast list of Bridgerton Season 4. But it would be interesting to see a cameo or two in the later part of the season. A possible redemption arc of Cressida Cowper would be an interesting plot. Jessica Madsen has also not revealed any update about her return for the latest season.

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Also Read: Varley is the MVP of Bridgerton Season 3 and here’s why we think so

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