All Wuthering Heights Adaptations Amid Latest Casting Controversy
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It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve read it, or seen it, some classics are classics for a reason. However, in the latest bit of casting news, there’s a new Wuthering Heights adaptation coming, and the internet isn’t too happy about the casting.
For those who don’t know, Wuthering Heights is a novel by Emily Bronte that follows the tumultuous love story between two characters: Cathy and Heathcliff. The story goes that Heathcliff, a mysterious orphan, is adopted by Cathy’s family, and he grows obsessed with her.
‘Wuthering Heights’ Book
They have a passionate affair that lasts decades, but because of social class, Cathy marries someone else. However, Heathcliff later becomes rich and powerful and goes to extreme measures to satisfy his obsession with Cathy.
It’s a controversial novel, to put it lightly, but it’s a classic nonetheless.
And now, Margot Robbie is set to play Catherine Earnshaw, while Jacob Elordi will portray Heathcliff in an upcoming film directed by Emerald Fennell, per Deadline. Safe to say, the internet isn’t pleased, calling out the casting news out. Many don’t believe either fits the profile of the tortured characters, many asking for diversity, and more.
So, since Wuthering Heights is the talk of the town, why not see every other adaptation that has hit our screens? Trust us, there’s way more than you think.
See every actor and actress who played Cathy and Heathcliff in a Wuthering Heights adaptation below:
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Milton Rosmer & Ann Trevor (1920)
The 1920 film was the first time the classic novel was put on screen, starring Milton Rosmer as Heathcliffe and Ann Trevor as Cathy. This one was not only the first, but it actualy took quite a few creative liberties by not including the characters Isabella and Linton, and even followed the second generation of characters.
Laurence Olivier & Merle Oberon (1939)
Starring icons Laurence Olivier as Heathcliffe and Merle Oberon as Cathy, the 1939 film is regarded as one of the best adaptations, earning eight Oscar nominations. Fun fact: Vivien Leigh actually wanted the leading role so she could star alongside her lover Olivier, but was denied, per FT. And while they cased Oberon opposite Olivier, rumors are that they hated each other.
Stream on Peacock
Irasema Dilián & Jorge Mistral (1954)
This 1955 adaptation is actually a Mexican one called Abismos de pasión (“Abysses of Passion”), starring Irasema Dilián as Catalina Cathy) and Jorge Mistral as Alejandro (Heathcliffe). Per Albany EDU, it actually took them quite some time to get funding for it, but it paid off because most critics loved it.
Keith Michell & Claire Bloom (1962)
Back in 1962, there was a TV movie of the classic, starring Keith Michell as Heathcliffe and Claire Bloom as Cathy.
Ian McShane & Angela Scoular (1967)
Starring Ian McShane as Heathcliff and Angela Scoular as Catherine Earnshaw, there was a Wuthering Heights show in 1967. The mini-series was made in color, but the only copies available are in black-and-white, and it was actually the inspiration for Kate Bush’s song “Wuthering Heights.”
Timothy Dalton & Anna Calder-Marshall (1970)
As fans of the 1970 film know, Timothy Dalton played Heathcliff and Anna Calder-Marshall played Cathy. While this film is similar to the many, many other adaptations, it’s most well-known for changing up a lot about Cathy’s sister, Hindley Earnshaw.
Watch on Tubi.
Juliette Binoche & Ralph Fiennes (1992)
Did you know the 1992 version of Wuthering Heights is considered Ralph Fiennes’ film debut? Starring him as Heathcliff and Juliette Binoche as Cathy, this film was actually panned by critics, despite fans loving it to this day. One fun fact though is that the late Sinéad O’Connor made an appearance in the film as Emily Bronte.
Buy on Amazon
Patrick Descamps & Fabienne Babe (1985)
So… in the 1985 film, Heathcliff and Cathy are stepsiblings instead of a foster kid situation…which is even more disturbing. Cathy was played by Fabienne Babe, and the character of Heathcliff, also known as Roch in the film, was played by Lucas Belvaux.
Yusaku Matsuda & Yuko Tanaka (1988)
You may not know this, but there’s actually a Japanese Wuthering Heights adaptation. Also called Arashi ga oka, this adaptation was based in medieval Japan and it was actually part of the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. Starring Yusaku Matsuda as Onimaru (Heathcliff) and Yuko Tanaka as Kinu (Cathy).
Robert Cavanah & Orla Brady (1998)
Robert Cavanah and Orla Brady played the iconic Heathcliff and Cathy in the 1998 TV movie, which was actually Matthew MacFadyen’s debut!
Stream on Peacock
Joseph McFadden & Sarah Smart (2002)
Joseph McFadden and Sarah Smart star alongside one another in the adaptation known as Sparkhouse, a 2002 mini-series. The interesting thing about this adaptation though is that it’s gender-bent, so Smart plays the Heathcliff character.
Mike Vogel & Erika Christensen (2003)
Erika Christensen and Mike Vogel were the ones to play the iconic characters in the 2003 TV movie, but for this one, they modernized their names. So, instead of Cathy and Heathcliff, it’s Cate and Heath. There was an album released with it, featuring the leads providing their vocals.
Buy on AppleTV+
Alessio Boni & Anita Caprioli (2004)
There’s a 2004 TV movie adaptation called Cime tempestose, starring Alessio Boni and Anita Caprioli.
Tom Hardy & Charlotte Riley (2009)
Did you know Tom Hardy played Heathcliff at one point? We sure didn’t, but he played him alongside Charlotte Riley as Cathy back in 2009 for a mini-series. Fun fact: they met on this set, and have been married ever since!
Buy on Amazon
Kaya Scodelario & James Howson (2011)
God, we love Kaya Scodelario, and she was a perfect Cathy in the 2011 adaptation alongside James Howson. Now, the eventual casting for this film was topsy-turvy, to say the least. The role of Cathy was originally meant for Natalie Portman, but she left and was replaced by Abbie Cornish. She was then replaced by Gemma Arterton and then Scodelario when the directors changed.
As for Howson, his role was originally meant for Michael Fassbender, who also departed and was replaced by Ed Westwick. However, with the new director, Howson was then cast instead and fired Westwick.
Stream on Peacock
Paloma Kwiatkowski & Andrew Jacobs (2015)
Paloma Kwiatkowski and Andrew Jacobs star as Cathy and Heathcliff in a high-school, thriller version of Wuthering High, also known as The Wrong Boyfriend (2015).
Rent on Amazon
Paul Eryk Atlas & Sha’ori Morris (2018)
Paul Eryk Atlas and Sha’ori Morris co-starred in the 2018 adaptation!
Ian Kelsey & Kate Braithwaite (2020)
Seriously, there have been a lot of adaptations recently, and one you may have missed is the 2020 TV series starring Ian Kelsey as Heathcliff and Kate Braithwaite as Cathy.
Bryan Ferriter & Jet Jandreau (2022)
Most recently, there’s the 2022 adaptation starring Bryan Ferriter and Jet Jandreau. Fun fact: Ferriter was also the director!
Rent on Amazon
Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi (2024)
In case you missed it, it was just announced that Margot Robbie is set to play Catherine Earnshaw, while Jacob Elordi will portray Heathcliff. Filming will start later this year, and it’ll be directed by Emerald Fennell, per Deadline.
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