Margot Robbie reveals Wuthering Heights adaptation is raunchier than book

Margot Robbie has revealed that her upcoming screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights pushes far beyond the restraint of Emily Brontë’s original novel, promising a version that is significantly more explicit and physically charged.

The 35-year-old Australian actress stars opposite fellow Aussie Jacob Elordi, 28, in the eagerly awaited romantic drama, which is being directed by Emerald Fennell. The film, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, is scheduled for release on February 13.

Jacob takes on the role of Heathcliff, while Margot portrays Cathy, and according to Margot, the on-screen relationship between the pair is far more intimate than readers of the 1847 novel might expect.

She explained that the physicality of their characters’ connection has been amplified dramatically for the film.

"They never really kissed in the book, but we kiss a lot. We kiss everywhere.
And there's so many times where he just picks me up and puts me in a tree, or picks me up with one hand.
And I have to say, it is really nice, it makes you feel, 'Oh I'm light as a feather, I'm a tiny little thing'."

Even before its release, the adaptation has sparked debate, with criticism aimed at Cathy’s age in the original story and long-standing discussions around Heathcliff being described as "dark-skinned" in the novel.

Margot has also spoken about the emotional intensity of the role, revealing that romantic scenes were treated no differently than any other part of the demanding production.

"No different to all the other scenes that we do. The movie kind of demands a lot of all of us.
My character essentially cries in every single scene, but no, it was a joy. I loved playing a character who kind of swings from one wild emotion to the other in an instant."

The actress recently turned heads at the film’s premiere, stepping onto the black carpet in a daring sheer Dilara Findikoglu gown featuring a Victorian-inspired corset and green accents made from plaited hair, paired with archival Boucheron brooches.

She later revealed she was also wearing a replica of a bracelet believed to have belonged to Charlotte Brontë, thought to be crafted from the hair of her sisters Emily and Anne, which directly inspired the gown’s design.

As the release date approaches, Margot and Jacob’s chemistry has been impossible to miss, with the pair displaying a notably close dynamic during multiple red carpet appearances. This has prompted some fans to accuse the duo of borrowing tactics from Sydney Sweeney’s so-called "PR playbook," following Sweeney’s famously flirtatious promotional tour with Glen Powell in 2023 for Anyone But You.

Jacob has only added fuel to the speculation. In a recent interview, he openly described a deep connection formed during filming.

Speaking to Fandango, with Margot seated beside him, he admitted that he made a point of staying physically close to her on set.

"If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're going to make sure you're within five to ten metres at all times," he said.
"Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food. When is it going to slip? And it never comes undone."

Together, their comments have fueled speculation that this adaptation may be less about restrained gothic romance and more about raw obsession, passion, and physical intensity than any Wuthering Heights audiences have seen before.