This Is Not the First Miscast Wuthering Heights

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In a different light, Margot Robbie isn’t like Cathy Linton. Regardless, she found herself on an English hillside dressed in a voluminous wedding gown during the filming of Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation based on Emily Brontë’s novel. A slight buzz of controversy arose when it was announced that Robbie and Jacob Elordi, cast as Brontë’s complex character Heathcliff, were chosen: They are considered too mature, too tanned, too Australian. However, the initial sneak peeks of Robbie in costume sparked excitement once more on the internet.

It’s a fact that Cathy and Heathcliff first meet when they are teenagers, and their turbulent relationship continues until Cathy dies at 19. Cathy is typically depicted as having dark hair, while Heathcliff, who was found abandoned, has a complexion that suggests he might have Romani ancestry. Despite some misconceptions, neither of them are from Australia, so it’s always wise to verify such information. Their youth and social disparities play a significant role in their tragic love story, but Emily Brontë’s novel is most famous for its exploration of cruelty and morality within the oppressive English class system. In other words, typical of Emerald Fennell’s work.

It seems Fennell’s adaptation is facing criticism even before official images have been released, which might suggest her status as a director known for being controversial and pushing boundaries. Fennell’s films often blur the lines between history and plausibility, so accuracy in casting, costumes, or atmosphere may not be a priority. We don’t know yet what her unique perspective on the material will be, if any, or whether the choices regarding age or costumes are intentional or due to star power. Even if Fennell isn’t making drastic changes to the script, it doesn’t automatically mean the movie won’t succeed; instead, it might end up in a list of miscast versions of “Wuthering Heights.

Over the years since the release of “Wuthering Heights” in 1847, numerous adaptations have prioritized artistic interpretation over literal text fidelity. The initial film adaptation, a silent movie from 1920 directed by A.V. Bramble and featuring Anne Trevor (then aged 20) and Milton Rosmer (nearly 40), was just the beginning. Since then, the story has been adapted in various languages such as French, Spanish, Hindi, with actors of diverse ages and backgrounds bringing it to life on screen. Many actors portraying Cathy and Heathcliff, like Juliette Binoche, Merle Oberon, Rosemary Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Laurence Olivier, and Tom Hardy, are significantly older than the characters’ intended ages.

There are indeed some excellent interpretations of “Wuthering Heights,” but a significant factor contributing to its longevity is the challenge in bringing it to life on screen. The characters Cathy and Heathcliff, with their complex personalities marked by moodiness, self-centeredness, and destructiveness (akin to teenagers), possess inconsistent traits that remain consistently unpredictable. Their relationship, while seemingly predestined, is hard to empathize with or support. The novel is set against the gloomy backdrop of the English moors, shrouded in an air of mist and enigma. It’s fascinating that despite numerous attempts, no film adaptation has truly captured the unique essence that makes Brontë’s book so singularly captivating.

While not going as far back as a century, the most authentic screen adaptation of the novel so far has been within the last decade by Andrea Arnold in 2011. The film starring Kaya Scodelario and James Howson captured the gritty and raw essence of the story, focusing more on their dark, primal connection rather than explicit sexuality. Although there was some sensual content, it didn’t dominate. Both actors portrayed their characters beautifully, given their age. The film might not have reached classic status like Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights,” but it’s still impressive and perhaps Fennell’s adaptation will surpass or disappoint us in the future. In any case, no one can challenge Kate Bush’s iconic adaptation.

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2025-03-24 23:54