Emerald Fennell is second-guessing one very specific creative decision from “Wuthering Heights.” The filmmaker recently revealed she wishes audiences had seen a more historically accurate version of Margot Robbie’s Cathy, armpit hair and all. It’s not exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes confession most movie fans expect. Then again, this is “Wuthering Heights”, a story already packed with stormy, questionable choices and plenty of drama before anyone even picks up a razor.
Director Emerald Fennell shares why she regrets cutting Margot Robbie’s armpit hair for Wuthering Heights
Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales on May 22, Emerald reflected on a scene that ultimately never made the final cut of her 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. The director said it was important to her that Cathy, played by Margot Robbie, looked authentic to the era. And that included visible body hair.
Fennell admitted she’s long been frustrated by period dramas that seem determined to apply modern beauty standards to women living centuries ago. “Where are the razors that these women are using?” she joked while recalling her reaction to various Jane Austen adaptations. According to the director, many historical heroines appear unrealistically polished, despite living in a time when routine hair removal wasn’t common or easily accessible.
For that reason, Fennell filmed scenes showing Cathy’s natural body hair. Unfortunately for historical accuracy enthusiasts, those moments never survived the editing process.
“Unfortunately, the scene that we see them in didn’t make it in there,” she explained as per PEOPLE. The revelation arrives months after “Wuthering Heights” sparked debate among viewers. Some questioned the film’s interpretation of Brontë’s novel, pointing to everything from costume choices to plot changes and casting decisions.
Fennell has never shied away from those conversations. Earlier this year, she explained that her adaptation wasn’t intended to be a strict recreation of the beloved novel. Instead, she described it as the version she remembered reading as a teenager. In her words, it’s Wuthering Heights, but not exactly Wuthering Heights.
That approach certainly divided audiences. Still, it also helped make the film one of the most talked-about literary adaptations of the year.
“Wuthering Heights” is currently streaming on HBO Max.
TELL US – DO YOU PREFER PERIOD DRAMAS TO STAY HISTORICALLY ACCURATE OR TAKE CREATIVE LIBERTIES WITH MODERN AUDIENCES IN MIND?
