Jacob Elordi suffered a serious injury while filming the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which forced him to seek hospital treatment. The Australian actor shared the circumstances behind the injury in a recent interview, revealing how a habit developed during his work on Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein inadvertently led to the accident on set.
How Jacob Elordi’s Injury Occurred During Filming
During a conversation about his experience on Wuthering Heights, Elordi described how the injury happened following a playful challenge from Siân Miller, the BAFTA-nominated hair and makeup designer on the production. Miller had been creating whip scars on his character Heathcliff’s back and joked about the toughness needed for such a role.
“Something peculiar that happened while we were filming was when the make-up artist [Miller] was designing the scars from the whips for Heathcliff’s back. She challenged me: ‘If Daniel Day-Lewis was playing Heathcliff, he would have come in with scars.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m going to go away and maim myself on the weekend to prove to you that I’m Heathcliff!”
Jacob Elordi noted while speaking with Esquire UK.
Elordi explained that having endured heavy makeup and prosthetics during his intense Frankenstein shoot, he became accustomed to a strict routine of cleaning his feet every night to remove dirt and irritation accumulated throughout the day on Wuthering Heights’ rugged set. Unfortunately, this habit led directly to the accident.
“So I went to clean my feet, and I leant back and my back seared into the steam knob and I stood up screaming; it tore up my back. When I went to work on Monday I had a second-degree burn,”
Elordi recounted the painful moment.
Production Team Reacts to Elordi’s Injury
The film’s director, Emerald Fennell, became aware of Elordi’s condition only after hearing from a producer. Her initial assumption about the cause of the injury was far more alarming.
“Oh my god, he’s had a car accident.”
Fennell recalled thinking upon learning of the incident.
Despite the severity and unexpected nature of the burn, Elordi appeared to recover quickly and maintained his good humor when discussing the injury.
“It was actual Daniel Day-Lewis. In the shower.”
he joked when asked if the famed actor inspired his mishap.
The Context and Upcoming Release of Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Jacob Elordi alongside Margot Robbie, is adapted from Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel. The film tells the intense tale of Heathcliff’s tumultuous passion and revenge. Its release is scheduled for February 13, 2026, with much anticipation surrounding this new interpretation of the literary masterpiece.
Jacob Elordi’s injury, while unfortunate, highlights the physical demands actors endure during demanding productions. This incident may shape how safety protocols are approached on similar sets, emphasizing the importance of caution even during routine activities amid filming. Fans of Elordi and the film will be watching closely as the release date approaches, hopeful for a smooth completion of the project.
