Wuthering Heights Film Faces Age, Race Casting Criticism

The upcoming Warner Bros. adaptation of Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights,' directed by Emerald Fennell and cast by Kharmel Cochrane, has become controversial due to the casting of Margot Robbie, who is significantly older than the character Catherine Earnshaw, and Jacob Elordi, a white actor, as Heathcliff, who is described as 'dark-skinned' in the novel. Critics argue these choices perpetuate a history of whitewashing and age-inappropriate casting in literary adaptations. Cochrane has defended the casting, asserting that strict accuracy is unnecessary and emphasizing artistic interpretation over fidelity to the source. Her remarks have intensified frustration among fans who view accurate representation as central to the novel’s themes of identity and otherness. Cochrane has asked audiences to reserve judgment until viewing the film, which is scheduled for release in 2026. The debate underscores persistent issues in Hollywood regarding race, representation, and adaptation of literary classics.