Bridgerton – A Female-Centric Show? 3 Female Characters Season 3 Wronged

Since its release in 2020, Bridgerton has been one of Netflix's flagships. Currently, all three seasons of the hit romantic drama are in the top 10 of the streaming service's most popular shows, with a total of 2.460 billion hours watched. And it's no big secret that Bridgerton is ostensibly popular with female audiences, as it's said to offer a woman's perspective on romance.

Season 1 followed Daphne Bridgerton, Season 2 focused on Kathani Sharma's romance with Anthony Bridgerton, and Season 3 revolved around the love stories of Penelope Feathrington with Colin Bridgerton, and Francesca Bridgerton with John Stirling. But for a show that is supposed to favor women, Bridgerton has done wrong to many female characters. And the third season is a prime example.

Francesca Bridgerton

Fran and John's love story was more satisfying than that of the romantic leads. It was nuanced and complicated because it was unconventional. Their story wasn't love at first sight. Francesca and John learned to love each other as they got to know each other over time. Their love was essentially comfort, and Fran had to explain that to Violet, who wasn't happy that her daughter didn't have a great love story.

And it was empowering for Fran to explain what love meant to her and what she wanted from it and to see her get it. But then the writers introduced Michaela Stirling, who Francesca instantly fell for, and her whole 'I'll do it my way' arc was ruined, undermining her opinion.

Eloise Bridgerton

Eloise is one of those characters you either love or hate. Many found her annoying in earlier seasons of Bridgerton because of her impracticality and silly, empty rants about the unfairness of society followed by no real action to change it.

In Season 3, Eloise finally started doing something. She started reading more practical literature. She took a lighter approach to people and, more importantly, to other women. She became more open-minded, which she credits to Cressida. But then, out of the blue, Eloise abandoned her new ways, calling them a mistake, and reverted to her whiny and pretentious persona. Sure, she went on a trip at the end of the season, but it feels like her growth was wasted.

Cressida Cowper

The biggest casualty of Season 3 is undoubtedly Cressida Cowper. Cressida was one of the most annoying characters in Seasons 1 and 2. But the third season managed to flesh out her more appealing side. Cressida was given depth: she was unhappy in her own home, traumatized by her parents' coldness.

We saw her become a better person with Eloise's help. And even Cressida's pretending to be Lady Whistledown was justified as a desperate move to escape a terrible marriage. But then the writers sent her spiraling back to the mean and ruthless girl from earlier seasons, who ended up being abandoned by everyone, including her best friend, Eloise.