Wuthering Heights Team Defends Anachronistic Reimagining Ahead of February Release

The casting director frames the film as an artistic reimagining rather than a faithful period piece.

Overview

Kharmel Cochrane said viewers "don’t really need to be accurate" because "it’s just a book," and urged audiences to withhold judgment until they see the film.
She signaled that design choices extend beyond casting, teasing set elements such as a "dog collar" and acknowledging that some literature fans may feel intentionally unsettled.
Costume designer Jacqueline Durran confirmed to Vogue that the production mixes eras by design, describing "confused" dates and looks chosen to suit each character.
Durran addressed backlash over a glossy red dress for Cathy, saying it is a contemporary synthetic fabric used to support a stylized visual concept rather than historical realism.
The Emerald Fennell–directed adaptation, starring Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi and Hong Chau and produced by MRC, is slated to open in the U.S. on February 13, 2026, following trailer criticism over representation, age accuracy and tone.