“Bridgerton” actor Jessica Madsen and fans of the show want one thing: for Cressida Cowper and Eloise Bridgerton to fall in love with each other.
The third season of the hit Netflix show surprised audiences with Cressida and Eloise’s sudden new friendship. The characters have not interacted in previous seasons and were not friends in the books that “Bridgerton” is based on.
After the release of season three, part one, many “Bridgerton” fans began rooting for Cressida (Madsen) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) to become more than friends, saying the characters act like they are secretly crushing each other.
Eloise forges a new friendship with Cressida in season three of “Bridgerton.” Liam Daniel/Netflix
Although “Bridgerton” is often praised for its diverse cast, it has been criticized for not including more queer storylines. Since the first season, LGBTQ+ characters have stayed in the closet, and their romances are not given as much screen time as straight relationships.
Speaking to Business Insider ahead of the “Bridgerton” season three, part one premiere, Madsen said she would love to see Cressida and Eloise have a friends-to-lovers storyline.
“Listen, I would love for it all to happen. Let’s see some friends to lovers over here,” Madsen said. “I dunno if that’s what people will see, but yeah, I’d be all out for that.”
On June 1, Madsen shared an Instagram post to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month, captioned: “In Love with a woman, loud about it and proud about it!”
Madsen shared a similar post in 2023 with captions about being bisexual.
listen, briderton writers, shondaland, Netflix hq, I’m going to actually need cressida and eloise to kiss each other on the mouths. https://t.co/2TObfihpqg pic.twitter.com/77PQANXqaZ— 🇻🇨 sappho’s ghost is a creloise truther ✨🍉 (@Branchaleenie) June 2, 2024
Jess Brownell, the “Bridgerton” showrunner, told Refinery29 Austrailia last month that the series will be exploring more queer couples in future seasons, which may mean there is hope for Cressida and Eloise.
Although Eloise and her brother Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) are straight in the “Bridgeton” books, fans have speculated that both characters might be queer in the series.
Benedict (Luke Thompson) (right) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) in “Bridgerton” season three. Netflix
Ahead of season three’s premiere, Jessie told BI that it is possible that Eloise is queer.
“I’ve always loved that there’s this coding that people have with Eloise,” Jessie said. “There’s a strength in her that I think a queer storyline can connect. And I’ve always been touched by that as a notion with Eloise.”
Madsen also told BI that working with Jessie was one of her best moments of filming season three.
“I adore her with all my heart. I love her so much. She is the kindest person, the most intelligent person I know,” Madsen said. “Every moment with Claudia is fresh and alive, and it is like I come home every day being so grateful for the opportunity to be opposite her.”
“Bridgerton” season three, part two premieres on Netflix on June 13.
