Jessica Shirley Madsen (born 11 April 1992) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Clarice in the horror film Leatherface (2017) and Cressida Cowper in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton (2020–).

Madsen was born in London to Jens Madsen and Julia Timewell and grew up in Surrey. Timewell, an artist, was born in what is now Zimbabwe and grew up in South Africa.^[1] Madsen's maternal great great aunt was the English writer Dorothy Whipple. She is of Danish descent on her father's side. She attended Notre Dame Preparatory School in Cobham for her primary education.^[2] She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2013.^[3]

Upon graduating from drama school, Madsen made her television debut in an episode of the 2013 ITV 1960s-set drama Breathless. This was followed by further appearances in an installment of the Sky Arts anthology Playhouse Presents and episodes of the Channel 4 comedy-drama Babylon, the BBC One medical soap opera Holby City, and the period drama Mr Selfridge, also on ITV. In addition, Madsen made her professional stage debut in Swimming at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.^[4]

In 2017, Madsen made her feature film debut as Clarice in the horror film Leatherface, a prequel to Texas Chainsaw Massacre,^[5][6] and played Jenny in the ITV three-part miniseries Tina and Bobby.^[7] In 2019, she appeared in the films Dark Light as Annie Knox and Rambo: Last Blood as Becky.^[8] Madsen was subsequently cast as Cressida Cowper in the 2020 Netflix period drama Bridgerton, an adaptation of the Regency romance novels by Julia Quinn.^[9][10]

In June 2024, Madsen revealed she is bisexual via Instagram. The following June, she wrote that she is "In love with a woman, loud about it and proud about it!"^[11]