Cressida Cowper had it all, except love. Bridgerton Season 3’s ending showed that her circumstances never let her win, not even once.
In the glittering world of Bridgerton, appearances are everything. Yet, even the most perfectly decorated teacake can be left untouched. That’s the story of Cressida Cowper, the supposed villainess of the Ton. She wore the finest gown and carried a considerable fortune. On paper, she should’ve been one of the season’s sought-after young women.
But just like that, Cressida was passed over again and again. And, by the end of the Netflix series, she was disgraced by the very society she worked hard to impress. Her arc took a turn that left viewers reevaluating as she turned out to be the victim of her circumstances. And it raises the question, what does it really take for a woman to be chosen in the Bridgerton?
Bridgerton‘s Cressida Has All the Fortune, But That Wasn’t Enough…
Cressida Cowper was never the warmest presence in Bridgerton‘s earlier seasons. She insulted Penelope, sneered at Daphne, and seemed to enjoy being the haughty queen bee.
But by Season 3, we’re reminded that this arrogance was hiding something else. And despite her flaws, Cressida was, on paper, exactly what the marriage market was looking for.
From Season 1, it was established that Cressida came with a fortune. Lady Cowper herself said it plainly: “Cressida has the fortune, but Daphne has the face.”
As the only child of a wealthy family, Cressida would likely inherit everything. Her dowry was no doubt substantial. Without any siblings to divide the estate, her future husband stood to gain even more.
In a world where marriage is the goal, Cressida should have been a prime candidate. But why did she remain unmarried after all these seasons?
Because money alone wasn’t enough. The Ton favors sweetness and charm. The qualities Cressida struggled to perform. Her cruelty and her desperation to find a match only made matters worse. By the time Lord Debling appeared as a potential suitor, Cressida was desperate. But she was competing not from a place of confidence, but survival. And the Ton can smell desperation like perfume gone sour.
When even her fortune couldn’t win her a match, her wealth became hollow. Especially when her father ultimately threatened to revoke it at the end of season 3.
Why Is Cressida the Victim of Her Circumstances in Bridgerton?
By the end of Bridgerton season 3, we can all agree that we sympathize with Cressida a lot. When Cressida falsely claimed to be Lady Whistledown, it wasn’t a ploy. Was it wrong? Yes, certainly. But it wasn’t villainy. It was a desperate attempt to escape a miserable fate.
Her father had arranged for her to marry a much older man. And with her reputation crumbling, she had no cards left to play. Pretending to be Whistledown was the only way she saw to regain control of her future.
She paid the price. The Queen dismissed her. Eloise abandoned her. Her father pulled her dowry. And by the season’s end, sent away to live with an aunt in the Welsh countryside, far from London. It wasn’t just harsh, it was her heartbreaking finale.
Especially when you consider how male characters in Bridgerton, Anthony, Colin, and even Simon, are allowed to grow and be loved again. Cressida made a mistake, yes. But her punishment feels like the ton’s final rejection of a girl they never truly gave a chance.
Cressida Cowper wasn’t perfect, but she was never given space to be anything else. Season 3 revealed her pain and her circumstances. She was the last teacake on the tray. Beautiful, desirable in theory, and completely overlooked when it mattered most. And if Bridgerton truly believes in second chances, then hers should be next. As Bridgerton season 4 is gearing up, what do you think, will she get a chance in the next season?
