When Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" arrives in theaters next year (just before Valentine's Day), it will mark the 16th time Emily Brontë's gothic romance novel has been adapted to film. The work has also been gloomy grist for television, the stage (as a play, a musical, and an opera), a graphic novel, and lord knows what else since its publication in 1847. The most famous version of "Wuthering Heights" to date is unquestionably William Wyler's 1939 film starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, which was refashioned into a classic Hollywood romance by genius-level screenwriters Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht, and John Huston. Given its significant plot omissions, this is one of those movie adaptations that will get students in hot water with their English teachers, but, hey, at least they'll get to watch a classic piece of cinema boasting gorgeous cinematography from the great Gregg Toland. Why do artists keep revisiting "Wuthering Heights?" It's a downer of a novel with two terribly annoying main characters. But it's so overwrought that, if cast correctly (or reconsidered by a writer with a unique take on the book), it can really cook as a bodice-ripper. Or you could play it like director Andrea Arnold did in 2011 with stars Kaya Scodelario and James Howson and transform the novel into a rainswept saga of tortured, downright cruel passion. You've no shortage of options when it comes to "Wuthering Heights," but while you're waiting to see Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi steam it up as Cathy and Heathcliff, you might want to check out the 2009, two-part television version that featured Tom Hardy as the tormented main character. Made for the United Kingdom's ITV network, the 2009 screen take on "Wuthering Heights" from director Coky Giedroyc and writer Peter Bowker was greeted with a bit of a shrug, but it could be ripe for reappraisal 16 years later, if only for Hardy's performance. In her review for The Guardian, critic Kathryn Flett aired her frustration with the novel's swing from "bonkers" to "boring" (a structural flaw fixed in Wyler's movie) and correctly dings it for being a "quasi-romance." These qualities make it impossible to make a truly loyal movie based on "Wuthering Heights" — or, at least, one that would be bearable. Still, Hardy can make just about anything watchable, and if you're determined to go against Brontë's depiction of Heathcliff as being "dark-skinned," you'll get an electrifying performance from one of our finest actors (who has a penchant for vanishing into roles). Per Flett, his "smoldering stoicism" is nicely complemented by co-star Charlotte Riley (who later became Hardy's real-life partner and will soon appear in Travis Knight's live-action "Masters of the Universe" movie), while the supporting cast is up to snuff. This rendition may not overcome the problem of the book's difficult second half, but, as far as I've seen (and I've not watched every single "Wuthering Heights" adaptation), only Wyler and Arnold have pulled off that trick. In any event, if you feel moved by the Hardy spirit after watching all 142 minutes of this "Wuthering Heights," I'd recommend you shift genre gears and check him out in the criminally underrated 2014 crime thriller "The Drop." There's nothing mopey about that movie, and he's never been better. (Jeremy Smith)
Business Insider has a list of '23 books you should read before they're turned into movies next year' including Wuthering Heights If you somehow escaped high school without reading Emily Brontë's 1847 gothic classic "Wuthering Heights," now is the perfect time to tick it off your reading list, ahead of its newest film adaptation releasing on February 13. The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as doomed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff, who are torn apart by societal expectations, time, illness, resentment, and guilt. But since this is an Emerald Fennell movie (director of "Saltburn" and "Promising Young Woman"), you shouldn't expect a run-of-the-mill book-to-film adaptation. (Gabbi Shaw)
Harper's Bazaar has some suggestions on 'Where to Go, Stay, and Relax in England as a Certified Period-Drama Lover'. For so many, Pride and Prejudice is a gateway drug into the wonderful world of period dramas. From other Regency-era romances (see: Bridgerton or countless other Jane Austen adaptations) to moody Gothic love stories (Jane Eyre—need I say more?), the English countryside is replete with cinematic inspiration. Naturally, this makes the island the perfect holiday destination for period-drama fiends everywhere. [...] Haddon Hall, one of the best-preserved medieval homes in all of England, offers a glimpse into the vibrancy of the Tudor era, complete with stone pathways smoothed out from 900 years’ worth of visitors and grand galleries framed with original Elizabethan wood carvings. Naturally, the moody location has appeared in a multitude of film productions, including The Other Boleyn Girl, Mary Queen of Scots, The King, and three different adaptations of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. [...] Those who have the means might consider booking a private guided tour for easy access to all preferred destinations. Expedition Yorkshire curates thoughtful single and multiday tours across York, Edinburgh, London, and more, allowing travelers to see the country through a local lens. Some expeditions also focus specifically on locations that may be of particular interest to period-drama buffs. (The Brontë tour, for instance, would be an ideal day for anyone with an undying love for Heathcliff.) (Chelsey Sanchez)
The Nerd Daily shares an excerpt from the novel How To Grieve Like A Victorian by Amy Carol Reeves. “Well, if there’s anything I can do for you—watch Heathcliff, send takeout . . . If there’s anything I can do to lighten your load, just let me know. I’ve already taken you off the Curriculum Management Committee and the Committee Oversight Committee.” “Thanks,” I mutter, bewildered, as always, at how my studies of Brontë and Dickens novels prepared me for such gripping daily tasks. [...] Last fall was such a bright star for me when The Heathcliff Saga film premiered and my book spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Writing that book six years ago, postpartum, kept me sane. I gave everyone A’s that semester. With the hormone shifts, lack of sleep each night and an insatiable Heathcliff hanging off my breast, I’d escape into my alternative Wuthering Heights world. In my book, Emily Brontë’s love-triangled teenagers learn that Heathcliff inherited warlock powers from a distant Yorkshire ancestor. My Linwood is less milquetoast than the original character. He bastardizes ancient Fae supernatural powers from the moorlands and starts a spell war with Heathcliff. Cathy, caught in the middle, asks Nelly Dean to train her in the supernatural arts. She teams up with Heathcliff, helping him purge Linwood’s magical darkness for good. There’s lots of teen angst, desperate kissing, and disengaged parents. The adults churn butter and argue with no idea their teens could destroy Great Britain with their dark fairy arts war. My literary agent, Sarah, took me on and sold the book in two days. I loved my editor, my only complaint being that he wanted to change the title from The Cathy Saga to The Heathcliff Saga. I groused. After all, I wanted my heroine to be the book’s star. But he said “Cathy” wasn’t distinct enough—it sounded like the comic-strip character—and he wanted my Heathcliff to be the new Edward Cullen.
A new student production of Polly Teale's Brontë opens tomorrow, December 10, at Durham University: Third Space Theatre presents by Polly Teale The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham 10 December 2025 - 12 December 2025 7.30PM
A powerful historical drama and literary biopic that follows the sisters’ lives from their childhood through to their ultimate deaths as they navigate personal struggles and creative ambition amidst the oppressive patriarchal limitations of the 19th century. Set in their isolated home on the Yorkshire moors, the play begins with the return of their brother Branwell, dismissed from his job and spiralling into addiction. As the sisters are left to care for their father and keep the household together through grief and hardship, they turn to writing as an escape, the result of which would become the infamous novels that came to define them and the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur as their characters begin to come to life and haunt their creators.
Russh recommends '7 films like ‘ Wuthering Heights’ to watch before it comes out'. Emerald Fennel's latest flick – an adaptation of Wuthering Heights – isn't even out yet (it's scheduled for release on Valentine's Day next year), and it's already been sending shockwaves through the internet (for more reasons than one). First and foremost, its leading duo Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are unusually picks for the literary classic, and stills from the film set have caused outrage amongst the book's puritans. Of course, the steamy trailer soundtracked by a now-viral Charli XCX remix have also caused quite the stir too. But if you simply need to get your fix before February, we have curated a list of films we love that match that vibe: steamy, classic, perhaps some not-so-close-to-the-source adaptations that made us re-fall in love with a story. Find out pick of 7 films like Wuthering Heights below. 1. Romeo + Juliet (1996) [...] It's exactly the kind of film we know would have been on Fennel's [sic] mood board for her adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Robbie even said to press: "I went to the cinema to watch Romeo + Juliet eight times, and I was on the ground crying when I wasn’t allowed to go back for a ninth. I want it to be that." 2. Marie Antoinette (2006) [...] Very in the vein of a Wuthering Heights film soundtracked by Charli XCX. [...] 4. Titanic (1999) This may seem random, but Margot Robbie told press: "In one of our first conversations about this film, I asked Emerald what her dream outcome was. She said, ‘I want this to be this generation’s Titanic." So, there you have it. It's another epic love story of ill-fated lovers – we can see the similarities here. 5. Saltburn (2023) If you're looking for more of Fennel's madness, then definitely make a pitstop at Saltburn. The 2023 film altered brain chemistry in more ways than one – and sent Sophie Ellis Bextor's 2000s hit Murder on the Dancefloor soaring up the charts again (along with Mason and Princess Superstar's Perfect (Exceeder)). It's got all the Fennel-isms we're expecting to see more of in her take on Wuthering Heights: excessive nudity, steamy romance, dramatic deaths and pop song nostalgia. 6. The Beguiled (2017) [...] 7. Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) [...] It's haunting and sensual – themes mirrored in Wuthering Heights – following the story of a rural summer picnic where a few students and a teacher from an Australian girls' school vanish without a trace. (Cassandra Dimitroff)
Far Out Magazine wonders whether Charli XCX is 'primed to be the most vital new film composer'. AnneBrontë.org shares a poem, December, by Branwell Brontë.
We report the latest issue of The Brontë Society Gazette (Issue 97, October 2025. ISSN 1344-5940).
ARTICLES
Welcome by Sharon Wright, Editor.
Letter from the Chair. Lucy Powrie. Chair of the Brontë Society Board of TrusteesGazette Exclusive: The Brontës Return to the Main Street by Sharon Wright
From Page to Place by Linda Green
Mass Wuther
'The Invietation of Dreams' by Nicole Joseph
Home for the Summer
Close-up on the Collection: Emily Brontë, Byron and Brussels by Ann Dinsdale
Doing the Literary Locomotion by Murray Tremellen
The Brontë Bookshelf: Material Witness by Eleanor Houghton
Ellen Nussey - the woman no-one could silence by Graham Watson
Membership Matters: Paper Free for the AGM / Members'Area update / Getting in Touch / Dates for Your Diary by Hayley Pink, Development Officer Ghosts at the Door by Linda Pierson Heathcliff's Christmas Cake by Jennie Hood Diary of a Parsonage pants pioneer... by Maria van Mastrigt
What may surprise many is the village's unique literary connections, particularly to the esteemed Brontë sisters. It's thought that Charlotte Brontë's fondness for Hathersage, following her visit in 1845, inspired the settings and characters in her celebrated novel, Jane Eyre. (Emily Malia) 'Lovely' Yorkshire town perfect for getting people in the Christmas spirit Locals in Haworth are full of praise for the town around Christmas time. (...) There are other things to see and do in Haworth as well, from visiting historic sites linked to the Brontë sisters, to the Keighley and Worth Valley Heritage Railway. Added together, its a beautiful village, and it's sure to get anyone into a Christmas mood. (Sebastian McCormick)
The atmospheric moors above the village of Haworth formed the inspiration behind the writings of the Brontë sisters. More specifically this walk focuses on Wuthering Heights: dark, desolate but magnificent. There are a number of car parks in Haworth. Choose one and head towards the church and the Brontë Parsonage. It is worth visiting the Parsonage before the walk to gain a feel for the tough upbringing the siblings had. In turn, this will bring a greater appreciation to the walk. The path heads up the south side of St Michael and All Angels Church, an impressive building where the father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was Reverend for 41 years (and rather sadly outlived all six of his children). (Jonathan Smith)
To Walk Invisible BBC4, [Wednesday, December 10] from 10pm Sally Wainwright, the writer behind Riot Women, Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack delivered a beautiful and powerful film about the Brontë family in 2016. It highlights the multiple health problems of Anne, Charlotte and Emily, their brother, Branwell, and father, Patrick, plus the sisters’ spells as governesses and their efforts to get books including Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights published. (John Dugdale)
Meer sends the characters of Wuthering Heights to therapy sessions. Boy, they need lots of them: I kept imagining what it would be like if any of those characters went to therapy. Since that’s technically not possible, I am sending them to therapy myself, discussing their wrongs and giving my unsolicited advice on how to improve themselves. Heathcliff Heathcliff’s main issues include childhood trauma, abandonment problems, unhealthy romantic obsession, revenge addiction, unresolved anger issues, and even a gambling addiction. What he did wrong was making revenge his lifelong mission, ruining the lives of innocent people, forcing marriages, believing in ghosts, physically abusing multiple characters, and neglecting his own son. His therapy goals would be to resolve his traumas, learn how to cope with his emotions without hurting others, show affection without obsession, set life goals that don’t revolve around revenge, and most importantly, learn how to be a good parent. (Read more) (Delis Kalanova)
More comments on the Margot Robbie Vogue interview of a few days ago: The Hindustan Times, Antena 3, inkl, The Telegraph India, Evoke, Indulge Press, 20 Minutos, Female First, Scorpio Like You, Indeks, El-Balad, Popviewers, New York Post, Attitude, Radio Times, The News International, Cinemablend, Bleeding Cool, Geek Tyrant, Reality Tea, The Express Tribune, GB News, Daily News, Mandatory, Times of India, Jang, News18, Epicstream, Bega District News, The Sentinel, Softonic, Fandom Wire, ARY News, Enstarz, Goss, Big News Newtork, As, e-cartelera, Ok Diario, Tomatazos, La Opinión, El Decano de Guadalajara, El Pueblo, Allociné, Cinesérie, Moviemag, The Times ...
La Voz de Galicia (Spain) talks about the novel La Señora de Pedramorta by Cati Calo: Y esa curiosidad dispersa y fértil se cuela también en sus libros, donde conviven la historia, mitología gallega y las referencias literarias que han marcado su vida. «Soy fan absoluta de Jane Eyre, Cumbres Borrascosas, Otra vuelta de tuerca, Frankenstein.... Y también de Los pazos de Ulloa. Quería hacer algo gótico victoriano, pero con alma gallega», explica. (Begoña R. Sotelino) (Translation) The Brontë Sisters UK shares a rare climb up Haworth church tower with exclusive access to hidden views above the Brontë village. Finally, the latest installment of the Behind the Glass podcast latest installment is already available: On this episode, Mia and Sam are joined by Bradford Young Creative and poet Noor Afasa! Noor has been on placement at the Museum as part of her apprenticeship with Bradford 2025. More Recent Articles
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