We'll have to wait for season 4 to see how this arc plays out.
This "Bridgerton" Alternate Ending Would Have Changed Everything For This Character
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We still haven't gotten over the Bridgerton season 3 ending, or how it perfectly sets us up for season 4. But while all's well that ends well for Penelope and Colin, there's one character whose journey seems far from over: Cressida Cowper. Cressida had one of the craziest arcs this season — she became friends with Eloise, gave us a look into her family life, tried (and failed) to take credit for Lady Whistledown, and then seemed to leave the Ton for a life in Wales with her Aunt Joanna. Well, it turns out the Bridgerton season 3 finale had an alternate ending, and one detail would have changed EVERYTHING for Cressida.
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At the end of the season, we see Cressida Cowper riding away in a carriage, and actress Jessica Madsen reveals that we don't actually know for sure where she's going. "We did shoot a different ending," she tells Entertainment Weekly. "I don't know whether she is going to her aunt's because we actually don't see her aunt in the carriage. So, it could be that she's off somewhere by herself."
But Jessica also reveals the season had an alternate ending that would have changed Cressida's future. "[In the first ending we shot], Lady Cowper actually came to save her, and got in the carriage with her and they left together," Jessica adds. "I had a caged bird in my hair with a little door and Lady Cowper had the key."
TikTok user and Bridgerton expert Cat Quinn reveals hairstylist Grace Gorman told her the cage represents Cressida being chained to her life, with no way out. But having Lady Cowper choose Cressida would have shown Cressida wasn't as alone as she felt, and that she didn't have to isolate herself.
"It was a really beautiful moment," showrunner Jess Brownell tells EW of the alternate ending. "But in the edit, Shonda [Rhimes] and I talked about the fact that it felt like an ending for Cressida. It felt like it wrapped up her story and we intentionally wanted to leave it so that we can tell a bit more story with Cressida next season."
I would have loved to see this alternate ending, but I hope we can see some more mother-daughter unity later on because I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to Cressida.
Would you have preferred this alternate ending? Let us know your hottest Bridgerton take in the comment!
Lead image via Liam Daniel/Netflix
