A casting decision for a major new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights has ignited a fierce online row, after a BBC presenter accused the production of whitewashing one of literature’s most debated characters. Anita Rani has publicly criticised the choice of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s forthcoming take on Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic, arguing the Australian actor is “too white” for the role. The film, which opens tomorrow, also stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw.

The Countryfile and Celebrity Race Across the World star shared her views in an Instagram video, insisting Brontë intended Heathcliff to be non-white — a reading that has long divided scholars and fans alike. Setting out her argument, Anita pointed to the historical context in which the novel was written, saying Britain was at the height of its colonial expansion. She said: “This tiny island was getting very rich from doing some very dark things around the world.

“Meanwhile, in West Yorkshire, Emily and her two sisters were almost certainly not sitting around crocheting and dreaming of handsome princes.”

Anita argued the Brontë sisters were politically aware writers who used fiction to challenge the status quo, adding: “It’s on the page, and what it does is it changes everything. Think about it.”

Her comments quickly divided opinion. Supporters flooded the post, with one writing: “If you have read the book, you know that Heathcliff is not white – it’s explicitly repeated in the book. Emily couldn’t have made it any clearer if she tried.”

Another added: “SAY IT LOUDER! I won’t be rushing out to watch the film,” while a third said: “An important message gets lost in this adaptation.”

But critics accused Anita of stoking unnecessary outrage. One commenter hit back: “But all the older version movies have him white as well. I do not recall an uproar about it before.”

Brontë’s novel has long fuelled debate, describing Heathcliff as “dark-skinned” and “gypsy in aspect” with “black eyes”, yet
Another wrote: “It’s all performative outrage because of social media,” while a third argued: “Emily describes him as gypsy like, not black!”

elsewhere calling his face “white as the wall behind him”. Scholars note that in the 19th century, “black” was often used to describe dark hair rather than race.

Historically, Heathcliff has almost always been played by white actors — most famously Laurence Olivier in 1939 — though a 2011 adaptation broke tradition by casting black British actors James Howson and Solomon Glave.

The Brontë Society has previously suggested Heathcliff may have had “black African descent”, citing his discovery as an orphan in Liverpool, a key slave-trade port.

The film has also faced criticism over Margot Robbie’s casting as Catherine, with Emerald Fennell defending her vision as deeply personal.