Jacob Elordi Practised His Northern Accent in the Bath for Wuthering Heights

Jacob Elordi has revealed the unusual way he perfected his Northern English accent for his role as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights. The Brisbane-born actor admitted he rehearsed the accent repeatedly while soaking in the bath.

Bath-Time Practice

“I just practise it in the bath, over and over and over,” Elordi told BBC News at the London premiere. He added that he enjoyed the distinct sounds of the dialect: “I like the meks and the teks, instead of take. I like the M-E-K, T-E-K.” The 28-year-old actor stars opposite Margot Robbie, who plays Cathy in the gothic retelling of Emily Brontë’s classic novel.

A Gothic Premiere

The film’s London premiere transformed Leicester Square into a Yorkshire-inspired set, complete with a charcoal-black carpet to match the gothic tone. Fans braved the rain to catch a glimpse of Elordi and Robbie, two of the hottest stars in Hollywood. Robbie dazzled in a corseted gown with a gothic choker and wore a replica of Charlotte Brontë’s mourning bracelet, believed to have been woven from her sisters’ hair. Known for her “method dressing,” Robbie’s look echoed the dark themes of the film.

Charli XCX’s Musical Contribution

Singer Charli XCX also attended the premiere, unveiling her album created for the film. Tracks such as Chains of Love and Wall of Sound reflect the darker, romantic themes. Charli described the project as “a dream,” citing influences from The Cure, Shakespeare’s Sister, and Kate Bush, who famously wrote her debut single Wuthering Heights as a teenager.

Controversy and Anticipation

The film has already sparked debate over its casting choices and provocative scenes. Test screenings drew attention to a shocking opening sequence, but early reviews have praised the film’s emotional depth. Critics described it as a “bodice-ripping crowd-pleaser” that captures the essence of desire and obsession.

Robbie addressed the controversy, saying: “I know there’s been a lot of talk about it being provocative, but I think it’s emotional more than anything. It’s very romantic. It’s very epic. It’s like large-scale filmmaking, very cinematic.”

Cast and Vision

Directed and produced by Emerald Fennell, who won an Oscar for Promising Young Woman and gained notoriety with Saltburn, the film features Owen Cooper as a young Heathcliff, alongside Alison Oliver, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell. Despite criticism over age and ethnicity differences from the original novel, Fennell defended her casting choices, calling the adaptation her own interpretation. “The great thing about this movie is that it could be made every year and it would still be so moving and so interesting,” she said.

Release Date

Wuthering Heights will be released in UK cinemas on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentine’s Day.