BBC presenter, Anita Rani, calls out ‘Wuthering Heights’ whitewashed casting

Anita Rani sparks backlash after criticising Heathcliff casting in the 2026 ‘Wuthering Heights’ film adaptation

Anita Rani has sparked a fierce debate after publicly criticising the casting of Heathcliff in the upcoming 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights. The BBC presenter, who fronted a documentary on the Brontë sisters last year, took to Instagram to express her frustration, arguing that the character of Heathcliff was never meant to be portrayed as white.

Rani wrote that Heathcliff is described in Emily Brontë’s novel as dark skinned and repeatedly marked as an outsider. She pointed to the historical context of the period, noting that Britain was at the height of colonial expansion when the novel was written. In her post, she said, “At the time, Britain was at the height of the colonial expansion,” adding that ignoring this context erases an important dimension of the story.

 

 

 

 

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The new Wuthering Heights film, directed by Emerald Fennell, casts Jacob Elordi in the role of Heathcliff. The casting choice quickly became a flashpoint online, with readers and film fans debating whether the adaptation has overlooked the racial ambiguity that has long been associated with the character. While some viewers argue that Heathcliff’s outsider status is rooted in class and temperament, others insist that race is central to his marginalisation within the Earnshaw family and wider society.

Following Rani’s comments, clips of her Instagram story were shared widely, where users dissected her remarks. Supporters praised her for raising an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about race in classic literature adaptations. Critics accused her of over analysing the text and argued that casting should prioritise performance over historical interpretation.

The controversy has reignited broader conversations about representation in period dramas and the responsibility of filmmakers adapting canonical novels. Fans of Emily Brontë have long debated Heathcliff’s origins, with scholars suggesting he may have Romani, African or mixed heritage, though the novel never states this explicitly. That ambiguity has historically allowed for varied portrayals, but it has also led to recurring disputes about authenticity.