Bridgerton Star Jessica Madsen Explained Why She Feels Joy from Receiving Hateful DMs

COLIN HUTTON/NETFLIX

Some characters are meant to be loved, some are meant to be hated — and Bridgerton star Jessica Madsen knows this well.

Shortly after the premiere of the first part of Bridgerton season 3, Madsen, who plays Cressida Cowper on the hit Netflix show, opened up about portraying the “ill-mannered debutante” to People, admitting she actually feels a bit of joy when she gets hateful DMs about her character.

If you are among the millions of people who watched season 3 of Bridgerton in the past week, then you'd know things are not looking the best for besties Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), and that leads to the latter striking up a friendship with Cressida.

Speaking to People, Madsen opened up about Cressida, who's notoriously one of the least-liked characters in the franchise, admitting she gets "interesting comments and some interesting DMs” about her character, but, oddly, they bring her joy.

“I mean, people are not the biggest fan of her,” the actor said, adding that she often gets DMs along the lines of “Thank you for letting me hate you so much" or “I love hating you so much,” which she takes in stride. “It makes me feel like I've done my job right," Madsen admitted. “I really don't take those things personally. The internet is wild. But I like it when people who I meet [who] have appreciated the show. Yeah. That's always lovely.”

Of course, the DMs in question are about Cressida and not Madsen herself, so the actor's rationale makes all the sense; still, it goes without saying that there are lines that should not be crossed in the DMs, no matter how much you hate or love a fictional character.

While speaking with People, Madsen opened up about the future of Cressida in part two of season 3, which is slated to premiere on Netflix on June 13, 2024. “The mask is falling off Cressida. She's becoming a human being. No, we're getting to see her human side and why she is the way she is." She added that “every mean girl has something beneath her” but was quick to clarify she personally does not think Cressida is a "mean girl" despite the fan narratives. I guess we will have to wait and see!

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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