Bridgerton’s fourth season has been released in full on Netflix and fans want to know who is the new Lady Penwood
Lucas Hill-Paul Content Editor
11:36, 26 Feb 2026
Bridgerton’s new Lady Penwood in season 4 explained
Bridgerton’s fourth season is finally available to stream in its entirety as the final four episodes dropped on Netflix today (Thursday, 26th February). This time around, the hit period romance series centres on second eldest son Benedict Bridgerton (portrayed by Luke Thompson) and his clandestine affair with young maid Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).
Following Benedict’s insult to Sophie by proposing she become his mistress at the conclusion of part one, Bridgerton fans have been desperate to witness the remainder of their love story play out. Nevertheless, one supporting character in the series has left fans distracted after her storyline didn’t progress in the first half of season four.
Let’s examine what happens to Cressida Cowper (portrayed by Jessica Madsen) and whether she returns in Bridgerton’s latest episodes, reports the Mirror.
Warning – this article contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 4, part 2.
Actress Jessica Madsen did not appear in season 4, part 1(Image: NETFLIX)
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Cressida is another young debutante of the ton who featured as a recurring character throughout the first two seasons. Despite her attractiveness, her perpetual attention seeking and poor manners meant she was disliked by most of society, and was intensely competitive in the marriage mart against the likes of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor).
In season three, Cressida assumed a more prominent role when she sparked a heated rivalry with Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlan), whose secret double life as Lady Whistledown was finally revealed publicly. At one point, Cressida even falsely claims to be Whistledown herself, but she’s swiftly exiled from the ton when her match with Lord Debling (Sam Phillips) fails and she is sent to live with an aunt in Wales.
Cressida returns to try and make amends with Penelope(Image: NETFLIX)
Does Cressida Cowper return to Bridgerton?
Although she didn’t make an appearance in the first half of season four, Surrey-raised Bridgerton star Madsen does indeed return as Cressida in part two. Her comeback is revealed in episode six, where she is unveiled as the new Lady Penwood following a fortuitous marriage in Wales.
In the episode, she pays a visit to the Featherington household and attempts to make amends with Penelope, encouraging her to write the story of her advantageous match in Whistledown’s gossip column.
She hosts her first ball as Lady Penwood to re-establish her place in society(Image: NETFLIX)
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However, Penelope sees through her scheme to return to society and refuses, leaving Cressida despondent. She apologises for her behaviour during the previous season and presents an invitation to her first ball as Lady Penwood.
Penelope does decide to attend, but uses the occasion to announce her retirement as Whistledown. Fear not, though, as a new covert columnist has decided to take up the pen in her place.
With a fourth and fifth season confirmed to be in the works, fans will have to exercise patience before the identity of the ton’s new gossipmonger is unveiled, as well as whether Cressida remains as a respected member of society.
Bridgerton season 4, part 2 is available to stream on Netflix.