A brand new adaptation of classic novel Wuthering Heights, starring Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi and Barbie’s Margot Robbie, is generating much contemporary critique—and not for the best of reasons. Elordi has been cast as Heathcliff, who is described in the novel as very likely nonwhite.

Related
Here’s how Sabrina Carpenter accidentally brought about Eric Adams’ downfall

On Monday, Deadline announced Elordi’s casting in the latest adaptation of Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel, helmed by Saltburn director Emerald Fennell. But the news quickly sparked backlash, with commenters criticizing the casting as white-washing.

In the novel, Heathcliff is adopted into the Earnshaw household at the titular estate after the patriarch discovers him on the streets of Liverpool. Being a foundling, Heathcliff’s parentage (and therefore ethnicity) is intentionally ambiguous as this adds to his mysterious (potentially diabolical) character. However, not only is he figuratively different, the novel notes several physical characteristics that set him apart from the other children.

Throughout the book, Heathcliff is described as dark-skinned. This is partly metaphorical, as Earnshaw says he’s “as dark almost as if it came from the devil.” There are multiple other connections between darkness and the demonic, and this can be interpreted as aligning with how Nelly Dean (the disapproving housekeeper who narrates most of the story and colors it with her own biases) perceives Heathcliff, whom she has come to despise.

More literally, Nelly speculates that Heathcliff might be “a little Lascar (an Indian sailor), or an American or Spanish castaway.” He is also characterized as potentially “a dark-skinned gipsy.”

In one chapter, the young Heathcliffe says, “I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed, and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!”

Nelly responds by encouraging him to think more highly of himself and his unknown origins. “Who knows but your father was Emperor of China, and your mother an Indian queen, each of them able to buy up, with one week’s income, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange together? And you were kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England,” she says.

Wuthering Heights has been adapted for the screen dozens of times, and in nearly all of them, Heathcliff has been portrayed by white actors—including Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, Ralph Fiennes and Tom Hardy. The more recent 2011 film adaptation was a rare exception, casting James Howson in the role of Heathcliff.

Sign up for the INTO newsletter and get your twice-weekly dose of stories that shape the queer experience, culture, and lifestyle.

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock our articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Once Monthly Annually

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated