Jacob Elordi's ‘Wuthering Heights’ look is unexpectedly punk

Images of the Australia actor in character as Heathcliff on the set of the upcoming Emerald Fennell-directed adaptation have emerged, with a surprising detail raising eyebrows

By Amy Campbell

Published: Apr 15, 2025

Jacob Elordi Wuthering Heights — Jacob Elordi has been rocking mutton chops for his role in the Emerald Fennell adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’. Photography: Getty

IF THERE’S ONE THING the internet hates, it’s a hot Hollywood actor fixing what ain’t broke. Late last year, Jacob Elordi was subject to this flavour of parasocial scorn when he debuted a shaggy hairdo and patchy mutton chops on the Berlinale red carpet, while promoting his new Prime Video series The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Yes, the transformation was for a role – Elordi will play the character of Heathcliff alongside Margot Robbie in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennel. But . . . still. Did he really have to conceal his gorgeous jawline for the sake of becoming a Byronic anti-hero?

Now, the first photos of Elordi in character as Heathcliff on the set of the film have emerged, and once again, the fans are divided. In one camp, we have the English majors who are still frustrated that Elordi was given the role in the first place, pointing out that in the novel, Brontë described Heathcliff as “dark-skinned”. Then you have the Elordi fandom, who are coming to terms with the fact not every haircut flatters the man. In the words of Vogue, “if there’s one thing that feels central to the story of Wuthering Heights, it’s the fact that Heathcliff is supposed to be . . . hot!” Harsh. But looking at these long-range paparazzi photos, I can see where that camp is coming from.

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But the shaggy hair and mutton chops aren’t the only part of Elordi’s Wuthering Heights transformation fans are processing. The most closely zoomed of these on-set pictures show Elordi’s Heathcliff sporting a gold tooth. While this detail isn’t included in the original text, like Robbie’s dresses (which fans are also unhappy about, citing their lack of historical accuracy), the glinting tooth seems to suggest Fennell’s adaptation of the Georgian drama could be a little bit punk.

It is an adaptation, after all. And with Fennell on board – the English director is known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, the latter of which Elordi also starred in – we can expect a film with an element of unhinged personality. After a handful of remakes that stuck closely to historical details (Wuthering Heights has been adapted for the screen no less than 14 times, according to Literary Hub), surely, a contemporary take on the gothic tale is what the culture needs.

Who is Jacob Elordi playing in Wuthering Heights?

The Australian actor has been cast to play the story’s anti-hero, Heathcliff. The adoptive son of the aristocratic Earnshaw family, Heathcliff is shrouded in mystery – very little is known about his background or origin story, other than the fact Mr. Earnshaw rescued him from the streets of Liverpool while there on a business trip in the 1700s.

After being brought into the Earnshaw home, Heathcliff falls in love with his foster sister, Catherine. When it comes time to marry, Catherine chooses social clout and a comfortable future over the passionate yet tumultuous bond she’d developed with Heathcliff, by tying the knot with Edgar Linton, a well-mannered nobleman. After learning he’s been rejected over his lowly social standing, Heathcliff transforms into a vengeful monster desperate to destroy the lives of the family that took him in, only to humiliate and deny him true love.

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Who else is in Wuthering Heights?

Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, the story’s heroine and Heathcliff’s tragic love interest
Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff. Cooper recently starred in the Netflix series Adolescence. In a recent interview with 10 News First, Elordi praised 15-year-old Cooper, calling him a “rockstar”, adding that “he’s brilliant, and he’s intimidating”.
Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, a servant to the Earnshaw and the Linton families. She is also one of the story’s central narrators.
Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, the nobleman who marries Catherine Earnshaw.
Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, who becomes Heathcliff’s wife. Oliver recently starred alongside Elordi in Saltburn (also directed by Emerald Fennell), where she played his character Felix’s sister.
Charlotte Mellington as young Catherine. This will be her first on-screen role.