Emerald Fennell, who first gained fame as Nurse Patsy Mount on the BBC period drama Call the Midwife, is set to surprise audiences once again with her upcoming role in the film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, releasing in cinemas on February 13, 2026. The London-born actress, now an acclaimed filmmaker, has evolved from her television roots into one of Hollywood’s most dynamic talents, blending her well-known acting skills with her award-winning writing and directing.
Emerald’s Early Television Career and Departure from Call the Midwife
Between 2013 and 2017, Emerald portrayed Nurse Patsy Mount in the BBC’s beloved drama Call the Midwife. While the character made a brief appearance earlier in the series, Emerald officially joined the cast during the fourth series. Her character, born in Shanghai in 1933, endured a traumatic childhood in a Japanese prisoner of war camp where she lost her mother and sister to typhoid disease. These harrowing experiences inspired Patsy to pursue nursing, leading to her sometimes stern but deeply committed demeanor.
Patsy’s storylines touched on sensitive themes, including her romantic relationship with Delia Busby, another nurse. Their relationship was groundbreaking for the time period the show depicted, as the couple left Poplar together to travel and later settled in Scotland with their dog. Emerald stepped away from the show in 2017 to focus on other creative projects, expressing her gratitude publicly:
Very sad I’m not filming wonderful CTM, had writing to do and they were so lovely and gave me the time to do it because they are the best.
Emerald Fennell
Call the Midwife creator Heidi Thomas reflected on her departure, noting,
By the time she left the show, it was because she wanted to concentrate on her scriptwriting,
and added,
And God, did she make the right choice!
Emerald’s Career Transformation and Recent Roles
After leaving Call the Midwife, Emerald took on new acting roles, including Lady Lovelace in the series Victoria in 2017 and portraying Camilla Parker Bowles in Netflix’s The Crown in 2019. More recently, she appeared as Midge in the 2023 film Barbie, further broadening her range as an actress.
However, it is her work behind the camera that has brought her wider acclaim. She won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay with her directorial debut, Promising Young Woman, at the 2021 Oscars. Beyond this, Emerald wrote and produced episodes of Killing Eve, earning two Emmy nominations, and directed the 2023 film Saltburn.
Emerald’s Upcoming Role in Wuthering Heights
Emerald Fennell’s new project, Wuthering Heights, is an eagerly awaited adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel. The film will showcase a different aspect of Emerald’s talents as she steps into a role that dramatically contrasts her previous television appearances. Fans and critics alike anticipate her transformation, noting how unrecognisable she looks in this new character during the film’s recent premiere, where she sported a striking blond bob hairstyle different from her previous image.
The Enduring Impact of Emerald’s Diverse Work
Emerald Fennell’s shift from a period drama nurse to an internationally recognised Oscar-winning filmmaker and actor places her among the most versatile figures in the entertainment industry today. Her decision to leave a steady television role to pursue writing and directing has proven successful, inspiring many in the creative community. As Wuthering Heights prepares to debut in cinemas, it promises to highlight Emerald’s continued evolution in her craft, further cementing her reputation for taking bold artistic steps while maintaining a strong screen presence.
