Bridgertonis, understandably, focused on the titular family, which is constantly growing thanks to new romances, but some supporting cast members have become notable. Among those is Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), who has served as an adversary to Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), a bully to Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), and an unexpected friend to Eloise (Claudia Jessie) over the years. Cressida became even more significant in Season 3, but after once again failing to get married and pretending to be Lady Whistledown, she was shunned from society and sent away by her family. This twist seemed to be the end for her, if not a very happy one, but it turns out there is more to her story.
In Season 4 Part 2, Cressida makes a triumphant return to London after marrying the new Lord Penwood, having succeeded in making a good match after years of disappointment. This reveal not only allows her to overcome the shame of her past, but also opens up new paths for her ongoing storyline. Ultimately, Bridgerton Season 4 takes full advantage of Cressida’s return, highlighting old rivalries and showing a new side to her character.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Continues Cressida Cowper’s Story
Though much has changed since Season 3, with Penelope’s work as Lady Whistledown revealed and both she and Cressida now married, Season 4 reopens their adversarial relationship. Cressida returns with the hope of correcting the social ruin she brought on herself, though not through an apology. Instead, she offers the news of her return to Penelope as potential gossip fodder for Lady Whistledown, but Penelope is not ready to accept her olive branch. Rather than pushing gossip about Cressida’s comeback, she uses the new Lady Penwood’s first ball to deliver a shocking Lady Whistledown pamphlet about her own retirement from being a gossip columnist.
Penelope isn’t the only character angry with Cressida, as Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) herself is still upset about Cressida’s attempt to deceive her by pretending to be Lady Whistledown. It would have been satisfying to see Cressida showing remorse for her actions, but Bridgerton Season 4 allows her to face the consequences of her mistake and play a role in the show’s continuing drama by emphasizing the enemies she’s made.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Shows a New Side of Cressida Cowper
Throughout Bridgerton, Cressida has been as close to a villain as the series has, blackmailing Daphne and belittling Penelope, yet Season 3 creates some sympathy for her by showing how awful her home life is. Season 4 honors that side of her as well, exploring her as a happily married woman when Eloise visits her in a disguised attempt to help Sophie (Yerin Ha) gather evidence about her father’s will. While serving as a distraction, Eloise gets new insight into Cressida, who reveals that she isn’t quite so petty as she once was,now that she has made a life for herself as the new Lady Penwood.
Despite their differences, Cressida is friendly with Eloise, and the two women have a meaningful conversation. Cressida even reveals that she believes in Eloise’s passion for women’s rights while offering her own perspective on the subject. Strangely, it is Cressida, of all people, who helps Eloise open up to the idea of love, pointing out that Eloise has underestimated that key ingredient to marriage. This is the most important part Cressida has played so far, given that Bridgerton is setting the stage for Eloise’s romance in the next few seasons. The fact that she has a more friendly and well-rounded side isn’t exactly redemption, but it does show that there is more to Cressida than the drama that she gets wrapped up in.