Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, both born in Australia, are starring as the legendary lovers Heathcliff and Cathy in the upcoming movie adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel Wuthering Heights. Directed by Emerald Fennell, who also created Saltburn, the film is poised to be a passionate portrayal of one of literature’s most intense relationships. The casting and timing of the release, set for Valentine’s Day, suggest a deliberate emphasis on the story’s themes of desire and obsession, which have sparked much debate among fans regarding the novel’s position as
the greatest love story of all time
.
An Off-Screen Dynamic Reflecting On-Page Obsession
The story’s central theme of mutual obsession between Heathcliff and Cathy appears to mirror the real-life connection between Elordi and Robbie. Both actors have talked about an intense, shared focus that developed during filming, creating a strong off-screen bond. Their interactions suggest a relationship marked by an intricate and serious blend of dependence and fascination, echoing the emotional complexity portrayed in the novel.
Describing Their Relationship as Co-Dependent
During the press tour, Margot Robbie candidly described her working relationship with Jacob Elordi as co-dependent. She expressed to Fandango her tendency to grow deeply attached to people she works with, saying,
I’m so codependent with people I work with, and I love everyone so much, and I’m always that person who’s so devastated when a job’s over and I never want it to end. I think I developed that quite quickly with Jacob, too.
Robbie also revealed Jacob’s persistent presence on set in a way that blurred the lines between work and personal connection. She noted,
‘I don’t know if Emerald told you to do this or you did this,’
addressing Elordi,
but I remember the first couple days on set, he would just be always in the vicinity where I was, but like in a corner, watching Cathy.
Emerald Fennell humorously confirmed this behavior, adding,
I didn’t tell him to do that,
and admitted,
I actually had to ask him to leave,
which was met with laughter from both actors and the crew. Robbie went on to explain how Jacob’s absence left her feeling
really unnerved and unmoored. And I felt quite lost, like a kid without their blanket or something.
Elordi summarized their connection by admitting they had developed a mutual obsession with each other.
Meaningful Valentine’s Day Gestures
Valentine’s Day played a significant role in spotlighting the intensity of their off-screen relationship. In a Vogue Australia interview, Margot Robbie revealed that Jacob Elordi transformed her room with roses to celebrate the day during filming. She recalled,
We were shooting on Valentine’s Day. You made my day and, as Heathcliff, filled my room with roses.
Alongside this romantic act, Elordi presented Robbie with a heartfelt note written from the perspective of his character, accompanied by a symbolic little tombstone, linking their real lives to the story they were bringing to life.
Although Margot did not return the gesture on Valentine’s Day, Jacob indicated that he was unfazed by this, joking,
I felt like I beat you,
to which Robbie replied,
You definitely beat me. Yours was so epic,
adding,
I remember thinking on Valentine’s Day, ‘Oh he’s probably a very good boyfriend,’ ’cause there’s a lot of thoughtfulness in this. You did a lot of very thoughtful things.
Symbolic Matching Rings as a Shared Token
Beyond Valentine’s Day, Margot Robbie gave Jacob Elordi an elaborate gift: matching diamond rings engraved with a haunting image of two skeletons embracing, symbolizing the eternal nature of the love story in Wuthering Heights. The inscription on the rings reads
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.
These rings were crafted by British jeweller Cece Fein-Hughes of Cece Jewellery London, who shared the significance behind the design on social media, stating,
What an honour it was to create matching pieces for Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi, celebrating their time filming together as Catherine & Heathcliff in the new Wuthering Heights,
and describing the rings as a
quiet reminder that love never truly dies.
Further details include the inscription ‘1847-2026,’ marking the year Brontë’s novel was published and the film’s release year, alongside the initials of their characters, Cathy and Heathcliff. The striking design echoes the iconic imagery associated with the film’s promotional campaign and deepens the connection between the actors and their roles.
The Lasting Connection on the Red Carpet
Margot Robbie’s promotional appearances for Wuthering Heights have garnered significant attention, showcasing her remarkable wardrobe choices, which featured historic pieces like those from Elizabeth Taylor. Throughout the press tour and red carpet events, the bond between Robbie and Elordi remained visibly strong, as they were often seen holding hands and sharing intimate moments publicly. This continuing closeness highlights the impact of their shared experience on set and reflects the complex, intense emotions entwined in both their characters’ story and their real-life relationship.
