Margot Robbie has addressed recent rumors regarding her relationship with co-star Jacob Elordi, firmly denying suggestions of co-dependency amid the buzz surrounding their work on the upcoming film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel. Ahead of the 2026 release of Wuthering Heights, the Australian actress clarified the nature of her remarks about feeling emotionally attached to her castmate during filming.
The 35-year-old actress, portraying Catherine Earnshaw, and 28-year-old Jacob, playing Heathcliff, attracted attention after Margot’s candid comments about her intense connection with fellow cast members. The rumors intensified, notably when fans linked her sentiment of co-dependency with real-life relationship speculation, especially given that Margot’s husband, Tom Ackerley, is also a producer on the film.
Margot Robbie Addresses Misconceptions About Her On-Set Relationship
Margot Robbie openly discussed her experience working on Wuthering Heights, describing how quickly she formed close bonds on set, especially with Jacob Elordi. She explained to Fandango,
“I’m so codependent with people I work with, and I love everyone so much, and I’m always that person who’s so devastated when a job’s over and I never want it to end.”
Margot further shared that Jacob was “always in the corner watching” during the early days of filming, and she would feel “quite lost” if he wasn’t nearby, comparing the feeling to being
“like a kid without their blanket or something.”
Despite these honest reflections, the media and online communities quickly speculated about the nature of their connection, with some accusing the pair of stoking affair rumors to generate buzz for the film. This notion gained momentum when rumors surfaced about Jacob sending roses to Margot on Valentine’s Day.
The Actress Clarifies Her Statements Amid Rumor Frenzy
In a conversation with Glamour, Robbie rejected the misinterpretation of her co-dependency comments, asserting that they had been
“really taken out of context and blown way up.”
She explained the emotions she intended to convey, saying,
“What I was saying was we had a really fun time, all of us working on this film, and I really love making movies, and when I get to make them with really cool people that you become friends with, it’s really sad when the job ends.”
Robbie, an Oscar nominee and wife of Tom Ackerley since 2016, who share a son, also touched on how complex and dysfunctional relationships featured in films resonate differently. She noted,
“Certainly, for Cathy and Heathcliff, their love does, when unrequited, mutate into something destructive that ends up hurting a lot of the characters around them,”
highlighting the intense dynamic between her character and Elordi’s.
Jacob Elordi’s Perspective on Their Professional Dynamic
Jacob Elordi also spoke positively about their collaboration during the Wuthering Heights press tour, framing their connection as a “mutual obsession.” After director Emerald Fennell confirmed she had not instructed him to stay near Margot, Jacob explained,
“If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within five to 10 meters at all times, watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food…”
He praised her talents as “just, like, an elite actor.”
The exchange illustrates the professional admiration between the two leads rather than anything personal beyond their roles.
Context of On-Set Relationship Rumors in Hollywood
The situation between Robbie and Elordi is not unique, as Hollywood has witnessed similar occurrences where co-stars are suspected of fueling romantic rumors for promotion. Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, for example, faced speculation during the filming of Anyone But You. Their rumored off-screen romance increased attention on the film, particularly after Powell’s public breakup.
Unlike Robbie and Elordi, neither Sweeney nor Powell denied the affair speculation during their promotional period, with Sweeney even calling the rumors “funny.” A year later, Powell acknowledged in an interview with the New York Times that their relationship had been a “showmance” created to enhance the film’s appeal, stating,
“That’s people wanting what’s on the screen off the screen, and sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully.”
Anyone But You ultimately became a sleeper hit, grossing $220 million worldwide.
Release and Reception of Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights, featuring Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, and Owen Cooper alongside the leads, debuted to mixed critical response. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 65% approval rating.
Some critics praised the film’s intensity and sensuality. Sarah Manvel of Movies We Texted About described it as a “sensation” and “stupefyingly hot,” while Tori Brazier from Metro rated it four out of five stars, calling it “devastatingly emotional” and “for the female gaze.” The film’s exploration of risqué themes such as BDSM, explicit language, and intense sexual content marks a “welcome daring, looser interpretation” of the classic tale, according to Brazier.
On the other hand, others found it underwhelming. Yasser Medina of Cinefilia called the movie “bland,” and Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? A Geek Community labeled it “abysmally dull.”
Significance of Clarifying the On-Set Relationship
Margot Robbie’s efforts to dismiss co-dependency rumors underscore the pressures actors face when public perception overshadows their professional work. Her clarification attempts to refocus attention on the film and the authentic friendships developed during production, rather than speculative gossip about personal lives. As audiences anticipate the release of Wuthering Heights, the discussion serves as a reminder of the fine line between character dynamics and real relationships in Hollywood.
Moving forward, this episode may encourage more transparency from actors about distinguishing their personal and professional experiences, especially when media narratives threaten to distort intentions. For now, the focus returns to Margot Robbie’s acclaimed performances and the challenging story that Brontë’s novel continues to inspire on screen.
