Emerald Fennell, director of the 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, expressed disappointment that a period-realistic scene showing Margot Robbie’s character Cathy with unshaven armpits did not make the final cut.Fennell highlighted that in many period adaptations, women are portrayed unnaturally hairless and aimed to reflect historical accuracy.

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, she also recounted the creative process behind other bold scenes, including the notorious 'fish scene', in which Robbie interacts with a real fish, emphasising her willingness to embrace embarrassment and cringe in her work.

Fennell described her adaptation as a 'sister, not a twin' of the original novel, taking artistic liberties to bring her unique vision to life.She also shared humorous anecdotes about set design, including the 'skin room', where the walls were inspired by Cathy’s skin and veins.

After this project, Fennell intends to take a break from filmmaking to spend time with family, work on jigsaw puzzles, disconnect from the internet, and read.She hinted at developing a future project she describes as 'profoundly evil' and unmakeable by others.

The adaptation, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, was released on Valentine’s Day 2026 and has generated significant discussion among audiences and critics.