Wuthering Heights film casting sparks backlash over accusations of whitewashing and race blindness

A new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, has sparked criticism on social media due to accusations of whitewashing. Directed by Emerald Fennell, the casting of Elordi as Heathcliff has drawn backlash, as the character is described in Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel as "dark-skinned" and of Romani descent. Fans expressed disappointment, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) stating, "Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights is explicitly dark skin and Romani," while another criticized the casting by saying, "Emerald Fennell, you are not seeing the pearly gates."

The casting controversy has also reignited discussions about previous adaptations of the classic novel. While many adaptations have featured white actors, such as Tom Hardy and Ralph Fiennes, a 2011 version by Andrea Arnold cast James Howson, a Black actor, as Heathcliff. In a 2012 interview with NPR, Arnold pointed to Heathcliff’s non-white origins, stating, "In the book it was clear he wasn't white-skinned," and referenced historical context to suggest Heathcliff could have been the son of a slave.

Additionally, fans voiced concerns that Robbie and Elordi may not be the right fit for the emotionally complex roles of Cathy and Heathcliff. Some suggested actors like Dev Patel as a better choice for Heathcliff, with one X user commenting, "No hate to Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi but neither of them have enough Psychologically Tortured vibes to play Cathy and Heathcliff."

Emerald Fennell, known for her Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman, has not yet responded to the criticism.