Rural North Yorkshire has recently found itself in the spotlight, as it plays host to a captivating film shoot featuring none other than the Australian actress Margot Robbie. Known for her stunning performances and film choices, Robbie is taking the lead role in a new adaptation of the classic novel *Wuthering Heights*. This highly anticipated film has just completed its shooting phase in the picturesque backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
In this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s iconic novel, published in 1847, Robbie portrays the character Cathy, sharing the screen with Jacob Elordi, who plays her love interest, Heathcliff. Brontë’s famous literary piece is set within the harsh yet beautiful environment of the Yorkshire moors, and the production has chosen several stunning locations, including Arkengarthdale, Swaledale, and the quaint village of Low Row for filming.
Margot Robbie, who has garnered recent acclaim for her role in *Barbie*, stayed at Simonstone Hall, a charming hotel near Hawes, along with several cast members. Photographs captured during the shooting depict her donning a voluminous white wedding gown, surrounded by a bustling film crew. The scene suggests that it represents Cathy’s marriage to Edgar Linton, a character who serves as Heathcliff’s rival in love.
However, not all feedback was positive; the fashion publication Vogue raised concerns regarding the historical accuracy of Robbie’s bridal gown, criticizing that the dress’s style had become popularized by Queen Victoria, decades after the events depicted in the story. This scrutiny highlights the passionate engagement of audiences and critics alike with the fidelity and interpretation of such classic texts in modern adaptations.
The film set not only involved star actors but also drew attention from the local populace where the filming took place. Simonstone Hall, known for its rich history and as the site of a notorious incident involving TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson in 2015, hosted Robbie, who was praised by the staff for her warm demeanor. Reports mention that Robbie even indulged in a traditional Sunday roast and afternoon tea with her husband and newborn, enjoying the hospitality of the region.
In addition to local hotel stays, the film crew used Holiday Home Yorkshire in the community of Reeth as a base camp. Local residents expressed excitement at witnessing the production, particularly when they saw Robbie driving a historic tractor along with her co-stars, even though the presence of tractors in Victorian Yorkshire is historically anachronistic. Filming also took place at notable locations like Surrender Bridge, which is valuable both for its scenic beauty and its history, having previously appeared in productions such as the 1980s BBC series *All Creatures Great and Small*.
Locals shared anecdotes of their encounters with the cast and crew, including one resident who watched scenes being filmed near old lead smelting mills. Although it adds an enchanting layer to the allure of *Wuthering Heights*, this is not the first time North Yorkshire has been featured prominently in other film projects. Recently, the region also served as a backdrop for a Christmas film starring Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland.
The current adaptation of *Wuthering Heights* is directed by Emerald Fennell and is scheduled for release in February 2026. With anticipation building around the film, there are strong hopes that it will reinvigorate interest in the Brontë sisters and their celebrated works. The director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, located in Haworth, remarked on how each new version of the story brings fresh perspectives, keeping Emily’s legacy alive and inspiring the future of creative storytelling.
As filming concludes, the legacy of Brontë continues, with the parsonage being a repository of the largest collection of Brontë artifacts worldwide, promising to attract not just fans of literature but also film enthusiasts, hoping to see the new adaptation and its contributions to the classic story.