Margot Robbie’s scrapped ‘hairy armpit’ scene from ‘Wuthering Heights’, director reveals why

The director said modern grooming habits in historical dramas often distract her while watching classic adaptations

Emerald Fennell has revealed that one of the more unusual details planned for Wuthering Heights never made it into the final version of the film. The filmmaker said she originally wanted Margot Robbie’s Catherine Earnshaw to appear with “extremely hairy armpits” in order to reflect the reality of the late 1700s setting, but the footage was ultimately removed from the finished cut.

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales on May 23, 2026, Fennell explained that she often becomes distracted by the unrealistic beauty standards shown in period dramas. Referencing classic literary adaptations, the director questioned why female characters from earlier centuries frequently appear completely hairless on screen despite limited grooming tools during those eras.

Fennell reportedly joked that actresses in historical productions often look “hairless like eels” and asked, “Where are the razors that these women are using?” The filmmaker said realism mattered to her while shaping her adaptation of Emily Brontë’s famous novel, particularly when it came to Robbie’s appearance as Cathy.

According to Fennell, the now deleted moment showing Robbie’s unshaven underarms was considered an important visual detail during production. Although the scene was filmed, it was later removed during editing. The director admitted she regretted cutting it from the final theatrical release.

The Saltburn director also discussed several other creative decisions tied to the film’s strange and unsettling atmosphere. She described how a memorable fish sequence came together after she became fascinated by the image of a fish suspended in aspic. Fennell said multiple versions of the prop were tested during filming, including fake fish and decorated alternatives, before settling on a real one for the final scene.

Robbie reportedly filmed the sequence numerous times. Fennell joked about the demanding nature of the shoot while praising the actress for fully committing to the material.

During the festival conversation, Fennell also spoke about embracing awkwardness and emotional intensity in her work. She argued that modern audiences are often afraid of appearing earnest or “cringe,” adding that she prefers taking creative risks rather than approaching stories with emotional distance.

Earlier this year, Fennell told Entertainment Weekly that her version of Wuthering Heights was never intended to be a completely faithful adaptation of Brontë’s novel. Instead, she approached the material through the lens of her own memories and emotional connection to the story after first reading it as a teenager.

The filmmaker explained that time limitations forced her to remove major parts of the original novel, adding that a longer television miniseries would have allowed more room for the full story and characters. Even so, Fennell’s adaptation has continued generating discussion online for its bold creative choices, casting decisions and highly stylised interpretation of the literary classic.