Who Will Be Bridgerton Season 3's Biggest Villain?

Over the course of its two-season run, Bridgerton has featured a wide range of different characters who have played both positive and negative roles, some even switching from one to the other.

The Shondaland show is unique in the way it manages to present even minor characters with tiny arcs in a compelling way that helps us understand their motivations and relate to them. Even Uncle Jack's reasons for scamming the ton were well explained. Even Portia Featherington feels redeemable.

However, there is one character who seems to be pure villain material. And it looks like her time to show her claws and teeth has come.

Cressida could be the main antagonist of Season 3

Cressida Cowper is a really annoying character. Ever since she spilled her drink on Penelope Featherington in order to get her out of the way and make room for her to flirt with Colin Bridgerton, fans have been beside themselves with rage and calling for her to be punished.

However, it looks like before Cressida gets hers, she is going to ruffle the feathers of Penelope, Colin and the viewers once again. And she will do it a lot harder than she did before.

In Julia Quinn's book Romancing Mister Bridgerton, which will be the basis for the upcoming Season 3, Cressida plays a major role and it is very likely that the showrunners will adapt her storyline for the screen.

Cressida's arc in Romancing Mister Bridgerton

As in Shondaland's Bridgerton, book Penelope has a big secret. She is an enigmatic gossip writer, Lady Whistledown, and she does her best to keep it from the ton.

As his solo story begins, however, Colin soon discovers Pen's secret and they begin to keep it together. There is no reason to reveal Penelope's secret identity until the ton becomes obsessed with Lady Whistledown, Lady Danbury promises a large cash prize to whoever can expose her, and Cressida comes into play.

From the wording of the column, Cressida realizes who is hiding under the infamous pen name and tries to blackmail Penelope for a lot of money. Colin then takes the issue into his own hands and makes a big speech at a ball, exposing Penelope to the ton, but using his family's social status to save her from being ostracized.

Everyone forgives Pen, the people applaud, and Cressida suffers another defeat.

The show can be much darker

While Cressida's story is certainly villainous in the books, the show could make it grimer and more dangerous for Penelope. With the introduction of the Queen, the stakes are much higher for Shondaland's Penelope. She won't be able to just come out to the ton without completely losing her status in society.

So it looks like the show's Cressida is on firmer ground than her book counterpart. And the biggest Bridgerton villain is coming.