On September 14, Owen Cooper made history by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, becoming the youngest recipient at just 15 years old. Cooper’s breakout role as Jamie, a teenager suspected of murder, earned him widespread acclaim. He is now set to appear in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights, where he will play the younger version of Heathcliff alongside stars Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and Hong Chau.
Set in 18th-century Yorkshire, the story centers around the Earnshaw family living at the farmhouse named Wuthering Heights. After Mr. Earnshaw returns from a trip, he adopts Heathcliff, an orphan boy who is made to work as a servant. Heathcliff develops a deep and complicated love for Earnshaw’s daughter, Catherine, but their relationship is complicated by societal barriers. Cooper’s role focuses on Heathcliff’s early years during this formative period, revealing key moments such as his adoption, his budding feelings for Catherine, and his experiences as a servant. These events build the foundation for Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the adult Heathcliff. Early glimpses from the trailer show Cooper’s Heathcliff alongside Charlotte Mellington’s Catherine, emphasizing the significance of this role for Cooper’s career.
Owen Cooper’s Rising Trajectory from Emmy to Potential Oscar Winner
Winning an Emmy at such a young age positions Owen Cooper for a promising future in acting. His success signifies substantial career momentum, which could lead to further prestigious nominations, including an Oscar. The role in Wuthering Heights offers a perfect platform to elevate his standing in the film industry.
Historically, young actors have made waves in the Supporting Actor category. For example, Justin Henry became the youngest nominee at age 8 for Kramer vs. Kramer, while Haley Joel Osment was nominated at 11 for The Sixth Sense. Timothy Hutton remains the youngest winner at 20 for his work in Ordinary People. Should Cooper win for Wuthering Heights, he would set a new benchmark at 17 during the 2027 Academy Awards. Even if he falls short, his youth means multiple opportunities remain to earn such accolades.
The likelihood of Cooper earning an Oscar nod is strengthened by the nature of the film—a period drama based on a literary classic, genres that typically garner favor among Academy voters. Emerald Fennell, known for her Oscar-winning screenplay for Promising Young Woman in 2021, brings a strong pedigree to this adaptation. With Fennell’s track record of four Oscar nominations for her debut film, including Best Picture, the industry’s attention on this project might extend to Cooper as well.
Emerald Fennell’s Direction Causes Controversy Around the Film
Despite the advantages of collaborating with a notable filmmaker, Owen Cooper’s association with Emerald Fennell has drawn some negative attention. Fennell’s style and approach have polarized audiences and critics, potentially risking Cooper’s public image as the backlash toward the director intensifies.
Fennell’s first film, Promising Young Woman, enjoyed critical and audience praise with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 90% and 87% respectively. However, her follow-up project, Saltburn, received a more mixed reception, with a 72% critics’ score and 79% audience score. Critic Julian Roman’s review highlights concerns about Fennell’s direction:
“She essentially remakes Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley for the TikTok generation with a focus on glittering style and sensationalism over substance. Efforts to shock, disgust, and titillate devolve into banality. There are few surprises in a film that broadcasts its intentions.”
Julian Roman, Critic
Social media responses to the Wuthering Heights trailer have been largely critical of Fennell’s adaptation. As noted by Richard Fink, many viewers feel the film strays too far from Brontë’s original work, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the Fifty Shades of Grey series. On YouTube, top comments criticize the film’s tone and express skepticism about pop singer Charli XCX’s involvement in the soundtrack.
The main criticisms directed at Fennell include her difficulty blending contemporary sensibilities with period settings and a tendency to oversexualize narratives. Reports from test screening audience members suggest that some found the film challenging to watch, which may influence public and critical reception. Despite this, there remains hope that Owen Cooper’s performance will stand out positively and not be overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the adaptation’s style.
The Notable Cast of Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights
The film features a strong ensemble, with Margot Robbie taking on the role of Catherine Earnshaw, Jacob Elordi as the adult Heathcliff, and Hong Chau portraying Nelly Dean. Alison Oliver plays Isabella Linton, adding depth to the complex character relationships. Owen Cooper joins this cast as the younger Heathcliff, a pivotal character in setting the tone for Elordi’s performance.
Wuthering Heights is scheduled for release on February 13, 2026, positioning it for early-year awards considerations and setting the stage for debates on its artistic interpretation and adaptation choices.
