Back in March those of us who topped high school English classes got seriously excited with the news Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights was getting an adaptation. The project had some *very* exciting names attached with two of Australia’s greatest exports, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi attached as Catherine and Heathcliff and director Emerald Fennell taking the reigns.
The gothic novel is considered to be one of the most romantic (or rather, anti-romantic) stories of all time, following the obsessive bond of two star-crossed lovers as they traverse the limits of social class, passion and revenge in late 18th Century England.
Since news of its release however there’s been some controversy amongst fans of the text. First, photos of Margot Robbie in a distinctly not period wedding dress leaked. The off-the-shoulder gown featured embellished pouf sleeves, a corset bodice and a shimmering ball skirt that looked a little more 1980s Cinderella than 1800s lovesick aristocrat. Arguably more serious though was fan criticism of whitewashing and, speaking at Sands film festival in Scotland casting director Kharmel Cochrane has done nothing to pour cold water on fans complaints saying “It’s just a book”. Here, we unpack the controversy.
The ‘Wuthering Heights’ Controversy Explained
Fans have expressed frustration over the casting of a Caucasian actor (Elordi) as Heathcliff in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Emily Brontë’s novel, set in 18th-century rural Yorkshire, chronicles the obsessive and ultimately destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
Heathcliff, an orphan of mysterious origin, is taken in by Catherine’s family and raised alongside her as an adopted son.
In the novel, Heathcliff is referred to as a “dark-skinned gipsy” with “black eyes,” while another character speculates that he might be “a little Lascar, or an American or Spanish castaway.” These descriptions have led many readers and critics to suggest that Brontë intended Heathcliff to be of Romany heritage, a reading that deepens the story’s exploration of class division and racial othering—forces that drive much of the tension and tragedy between Heathcliff and Catherine.
At the Sand Film Festival in Scotland, casting director Kharmel Cochrane responded to the backlash. “There was one Instagram comment that said the casting director should be shot,” she told Deadline. “But you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. It’s not based on real life. It’s all art.”
Considering the ongoing discrimination faced by the Romany diaspora in the UK and Ireland—and the fact that Heathcliff’s marginalisation shapes his worldview and fuels his resentment—the claim that the novel isn’t grounded in real-world social dynamics feels disingenuous. Whether you read it as allegory or historical observation, class and race are at the heart of Brontë’s story.
“So they saw the whitewashing backlash and proceeded to ignore it,” one user wrote on X. “A classic book that famously talks about class politics, racism and the patriarchal system of the time,” another added. Class, notably, is familiar terrain for director Emerald Fennell, whose 2023 film Saltburn took aim at the British aristocracy. And Elordi, cast as Heathcliff, is no stranger to brooding romantic antagonists—his breakout role as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria showcased a similar cocktail of charm and cruelty.
That hasn’t stopped media outlets like the BBC calling Wuthering Heights one of the “worst casting decisions of all time.”
What Is Wuthering Heights About?
Wuthering Heights follows a young orphan, Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi), who is adopted by the wealthy Earnshaw family and made to work in their household. He and the family’s daughter, Catherine (Margot Robbie) form a bond which grows into a rather toxic romance and eventual obsession. The two are kept apart, mostly by Cathy’s controlling brother, with Heathcliff swearing revenge on those who have stood between the lovers. As time passes the memory of the connection persists as our leads grapple with their tortured, forbidden relationship. Despite the novel being nearly 200 years old, we’ll hold major spoilers for a new generation!
Will Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi’s Wuthering Heights Be Different From The Original?
It’s starting to sound like the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights will differ significantly from the book. Cochrane hinted at this in her response saying “There’s definitely going to be some English Lit fans that are not going to be happy. Wait until you see the set design, because that is even more shocking. And there may or may not be a dog collar in it.” Intriguing.
Who Is In The Cast Of Wuthering Heights?
So far, include Jacob Elordi as Heathciff and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw. Elordi is following in the footsteps of actors like Tom Hardy, Ralph Fiennes and Laurence Olivier, who have played the story’s romantic hero in previous adaptations. Meanwhile, other actresses to step into the role of Cathy include French actress Juliette Binoche and Skins star Kaya Scodelario.
Alison Oliver will play Isabella Linton and Shazad Latif will play Edgar Linton. Hong Chau is taking the role of Nelly Dean.
As well as directing the latest Wuthering Heights film, Emerald Fennell will also pen the script.
Wuthering Heights Release Date
The release date for Emerald Fenell’s adaptation has finally been announced and is slated for Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026.
Where To Watch Wuthering Heights
While there will be a wait on the Robbie/Elordi version, there are several existing adaptations ready for you to stream. (There is, in fact, an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to the many (many!) existing adaptations, but we’ve cherry-picked a few you can watch below…
- Wuthering Heights (2011), starring Kaya Scodelairo and James Howson — Binge, Foxtel
- Wuthering Heights (1992), starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes — Apple TV+, Kanopy
- Wuthering Heights (2009, mini series), starring Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy — Apple TV+
- Wuthering Heights (1939), starring Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier — Prime Video
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