Margot Robbie, known widely for her iconic role in Barbie, is preparing for the release of Wuthering Heights, revealing that she was not originally intended to portray Cathy in the film. The Australian actress shared these insights during her appearance on The Graham Norton Show on 6 February, alongside co-star Jacob Elordi, ahead of the movie’s debut next week.
The Unplanned Casting of Margot Robbie as Cathy
During the discussion, Robbie explained that her involvement in Wuthering Heights evolved unexpectedly. Initially serving as a producer, she decided to pursue the role of Cathy after conversations about the casting.
“I wasn’t always going to be in it,”
she said, reflecting on the process. She further expressed her excitement about working with director Emerald Fennel, stating,
“I’ve always wanted to be one of Emerald’s actors and fortunately, she felt the same way. It worked out wonderfully.”
Jacob Elordi’s Role and Casting Experience
Jacob Elordi, who plays Heathcliff opposite Robbie, discussed how he came to join the project. Unaware that Fennel had noticed his performance in Saltburn, Elordi shared how he received a direct message from the director during his travels. His reaction was immediate and positive:
“I was travelling when I got a text message from her saying, ‘Do you want to be Heathcliff?’ and I wrote, ‘Yeah.’”
Emerald Fennel’s Vision for the Film
Robbie highlighted Fennel’s deep connection to the source material, emphasizing the director’s approach to the story. Instead of creating a strict adaptation, Fennel focused on the raw emotions the novel evoked in her as a teenager. Robbie noted,
“Emerald loves the book and she really focused on the feeling it gave her when she first read it at 14. She channels that raw emotional experience so it’s an interpretation rather than an adaptation.”
Robbie summed up the project’s significance by saying,
“In my opinion it is one of the greatest love stories of all time and it has a great cast and incredible actors. It’s a great film.”
Promotion and Public Appearances
Along with Jacob Elordi, Robbie appeared on The Graham Norton Show alongside Amanda Seyfried, Johannes Radebe from Strictly, and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon to promote Wuthering Heights. The show aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
Looking Ahead to Wuthering Heights’ Impact
With its release imminent, Margot Robbie Wuthering Heights is poised to bring a fresh interpretation of the classic love story to contemporary audiences. The film’s combination of strong performances, Fennel’s distinctive direction, and a thoughtful exploration of emotional depth suggests it will resonate widely. As viewers anticipate the premiere, Robbie and Elordi’s candid reflections offer insight into the project’s heartfelt creation and potential lasting appeal.
