This article contains spoilers for An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn and Bridgerton season 4.
Bridgertonseason 4 will have a new character that can be a much better version of season 3’s villain.Bridgertonseason 4is in production, gearing up for what will most likely be a 2026 release.The season will focus onSophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton’s long-awaited love story. Benedict is one ofBridgerton’s best characters, so it is relieving to get his story. There will also be new characters in Sophie’s story, including Rosamund Li, Posy Li, and Araminta Gun. Most recently,Bridgertonseason 4 added Mrs. Crabtree, a key character in Sophie and Benedict’s romance.
With the influx of new characters to round outBridgertonseason 4,there will be a new villain—a pleasant surprise afterBridgertonseason 3’s villain was a letdown.It is worrying going into Sophie and Benedict’s story because the villain inAn Offer from a Gentlemanshould not be interpreted as anything other than the antagonist. However, given that this new villain has a highly specific role,it is far more likely thatBridgerton’s season 4 villain story will be what season 3’s could not.
Bridgerton Season 3’s Big Villain Story Ended Up Being Disappointing
Bridgerton Could Not Decide How To Characterize Cressida
Bridgertonseason 3 portrays Cressida Cowper as the villain, similar toRomancing Mr. Bridgerton. However,Bridgertonseason 3 made big changesregarding Cressica’s arc. In the book, Cressida is simply seeking the attention that comes with claiming Lady Whistledown’s identity, but she is also financially motivated. InRomancing Mr. Bridgerton, Cressida is already a widow, but her late husband lied about having money, leaving her penniless. As a result, Cressida claims Lady Whistledown’s identity to win Lady Danbury’s £1000, but it does not work. When Cressida realizes Penelope is Lady Whistledown, she blackmails Penelope for money—similarly to the show.
However,Bridgertonseason 3 portrays a new side of Cressida Cowper thattheBridgertonbooksdo not.Cressida is looking for a husband because her parents want her to, but she does not seem particularly interested.Cressida’s father is a cruel man who just wants to marry off his daughter as soon as possible. When there seems to be no promising betrothals, he threatens Cressida by saying that he will force her to marry one of his elderly friends if she does not find a husband. Therefore, Cressida claims Lady Whistledown’s identity out of desperation.
Cressida’s characterization makes it challenging to establish her as a villain because it seems that the narrative cannot decide whether Cressida is worth rooting for or is irredeemable.
While Cressida is also desperate inRomancing Mr. Bridgerton, she is still a cruel woman who bullies Penelope. There are no circumstances that make her a sympathetic character.Bridgertonsets up Cressida as the antagonist, only to back down by giving her an awful predicament. Furthermore,Bridgertonsuggests that Cressida is not actually cruel; she acts that way to please her mother and because it is all she knows. Cressida’s characterization makes it challenging to establish her as a villain because it seems that the narrative cannot decide whether Cressida is worth rooting for or is irredeemable.
Bridgerton Season 4’s New Villain Explained
Lady Araminta Gun Is Sophie Baek’s Stepmother
Netflix announcedBridgerton’s casting of three additional characters central to Sophie Baek’s story: Isabella Wei as Posy Li, Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li, and Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun. InAn Offer from a Gentleman, these characters make up Sophie’s stepfamily—Posy and Rosamund are her stepsisters, while Araminta is her stepmother. However, Sophie’s family status is complicated; her father only claimed her as his ward because she was illegitimate.Araminta was always resentful of Sophie’s existence, but when Sophie’s father died, Araminta enslaved and abused Sophie.
N/A | TBD
Phillip Cavender
Attempted to assault Sophie while she was employed at his parents' house.
Although these events occur in the past, Lady Araminta Gun is still the central villain inAn Offer from a Gentleman. When Sophie becomes a lady’s maid at Violet Bridgerton’s house, she quickly learns Araminta lives next door, meaning Sophie would be in real danger if Araminta discovers her working forthe Bridgerton family. In the book, Araminta actually does discover Sophie, landing her in hot water.Araminta is looking for revenge because Sophie disobeyed her by attending the masquerade ball and escaped her servitude.
Why Bridgerton Season 4 Can Do A Better Villain Story Than Season 3
Bridgerton Can Firmly Establish Araminta As The Villain
Cressida’s arc inBridgertonseason 3 ultimately ends with her parents forcing her to move in with her aunt, who appears to be a significantly crueler version of her father. Therefore, despite Cressida’s devious acts, she does not truly seem like a villain. However, Cressida’s transgressions make it difficult to forgive her.As a result, Cressida Cowper is not the exciting villainBridgertonseason 3 initially set her up to be.However, the show could change this predicament with Lady Araminta Gun’s introduction in season 4 because she will be a stronger villain.
Bridgerton Season 4 BTS Images Reveal Returning & New Cast Members, Including A Former Harry Potter Star
Familiar faces return to Regency England alongside a handful of new cast members in a new behind-the-scenes look at Bridgerton season 4.
Bridgerton’s Katie Leungspoke about Araminta’s character in the show, and it seems like Araminta will have a more in-depth backstory than she does inAn Offer from a Gentleman. However, unlike Cressida, Araminta is an entirely new character, making it easier forBridgertonto establish her as the season’s villain firmly. Furthermore,Araminta’s transgressions are significantly worse than Cressida’sbecause there is nothing in the world that could justify Araminta enslaving and abusing her own stepdaughter. Araminta’s potential villain arc is another one of the many waysBridgertonseason 4 will be different from previous seasons.
Bridgerton
Cast
Bridgerton, released on August 14, 2025, is set in Regency-era England and follows the lives of the influential Bridgerton family. The series explores themes of wealth, lust, and betrayal, portraying societal dynamics through a blend of romance and intrigue.
