Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star in the passionate new adaptation, set to hit theaters Valentine’s 2026.
The first trailer for Emerald Fennell’s take on Wuthering Heights has finally arrived, and it’s already stirring up plenty of conversation. Dropping earlier this week, the preview teases a lavish, sexy, and modern twist on Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic.
Right away, the trailer sets the tone with a vibe that feels straight out of Bridgerton. Think sweeping gowns, dramatic stares, moody romance, and just the right amount of steam. At the center of it all are Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, who step into the roles of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. For those unfamiliar, the original novel follows the Earnshaws and the Lintons, two families whose lives get turned upside down by their complicated relationship with Heathcliff, the Earnshaws’ foster son
Whether this adaptation will stick closely to the original is still up in the air, but casting director Kharmel Cochrane told Deadline, “there’s definitely going to be some English lit fans that are not going to be happy.”
Fennell clearly isn’t shying away from the story’s sensuality. The trailer is packed with flashes of raw passion, including a bare and sweaty back, fingers swirling through egg yolks as well as a finger slipping into a fish’s mouth. A bodice yanked tight and a very intense kiss between Robbie and Elordi. All of this unfolds to Charli XCX’s track Everything is Romantic, giving the classic tale a sharp, modern energy. On top of that, the film will also feature original songs from Charli XCX.
This isn’t the first time Robbie and Elordi have teamed up with Fennell. Fans will remember their 2023 project Saltburn, which was written and directed by Fennell, starred Elordi, and was produced by LuckyChap, Robbie’s production company. Before that, Fennell and LuckyChap worked together on Promising Young Woman, the thriller that earned Fennell an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
The casting of Elordi hasn’t come without controversy. In Brontë’s novel, Heathcliff is described as a “dark-skinned gipsy,” a character whose ethnic background is left ambiguous but very clearly not white. Some critics have questioned the choice of casting Elordi in the role.
Michael Stewart, director of the Brontë Writing Centre, addressed the issue in an interview with The Daily Telegraph “With Wuthering Heights, you’ve had many years of white actors playing the more ambiguous ethnic character… But things are different now. The way we represent certain people in art and culture comes with a responsibility now that wasn’t there 20 years ago.”
Elordi hasn’t addressed the backlash directly, but he’s been raving about the project itself. Speaking with Deadline, he called the film “breathtaking,” praising the script, costumes, and the “incredible romance” at its core. “It’s a true epic,” he added.
The cast doesn’t stop with Robbie and Elordi. It also includes Owen Cooper, Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, and Shazad Latif. Fennell directs while also producing alongside Robbie and Josey McNamara.
Fennell’s version isn’t the first time Wuthering Heights has made it to the screen. The story’s been adapted plenty of times over the years, starting with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon in the 1939 classic. Since then, there’ve been countless takes, with Bryan Ferriter’s 2019 remake being the most recent before Fennell stepped in.
Wuthering Heights is set to arrive in theaters on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentine’s Day. With a powerhouse cast, Fennell’s bold direction, and a modern edge woven into Brontë’s timeless drama, this adaptation is shaping up to be one of next year’s most talked about releases.
