Fennell’s adaptation makes several key alterations to the classic novel, eliminating some characters, expanding others, and changing its ending.

All the biggest changes between Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights and Emily Brontë’s novel

Fennell's adaptation makes several key alterations to the classic novel, eliminating some characters, expanding others, and changing its ending.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

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February 14, 2026 11:00 a.m. ET

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Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie in 'Wuthering Heights'. Credit:

**This article contains spoilers for Emerald Fennell's adaptation of *Wuthering Heights.***

It's no secret that Emerald Fennell's version of *Wuthering Heights* is more of a loose adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel than a traditional retelling.

While the bones are still there — the movie features several scenes and lines ripped straight from the source — Fennell also makes several key changes, cutting characters, expanding others, altering storylines, and omitting the entire second half of the novel.

Below, EW breaks down the major differences between the book and film (now in theaters).

Elordi in 'Wuthering Heights'.

More to the story

Fennell's adaptation focuses solely on the passionate relationship between doomed soulmates Cathy and Heathcliff and ends immediately after her demise. However, readers of Brontë's novel will know that's only half the story, with the remainder dedicated to Heathcliff's bitter quest for revenge against those who wronged him — as well as their respective children — and his descent into madness.

Mr. Lockwood

Mr. Lockwood is one of multiple characters cut from *Wuthering Heights. *He serves as a narrator in the novel, providing an outsider's perspective on Heathcliff and Cathy's relationship and its generational repercussions after he moves into the nearby Thrushcross Grange following her death.

Cathy and Heathcliff's brother Hindley was also removed from the film. A major antagonist, Hindley is physically and emotionally abusive toward Heathcliff because he's their father's favorite. When Mr. Earnshaw dies, Hindley gets his revenge against Heathcliff by demoting him to servant status, denying him access to education, and forcing him to perform manual labor.

Robbie in 'Wuthering Heights'.

Mr. Earnshaw

Mr. Earnshaw, on the other hand, sees his role greatly expanded within Fennell's film. Initially kind, he becomes increasingly violent toward Heathcliff and Cathy as his alcohol addiction worsens, causing him to lose his fortune. He dies as a result of his alcoholism later in the film.**

Cathy and Heathcliff’s final meeting

Fennell also makes some key changes to the final time Cathy and Heathcliff see each other. In the novel, Nelly helps Heathcliff sneak in and reunite with Cathy before her death. However, in the film, no such meeting takes place. Instead, a feverish Cathy believes she is speaking to Heathcliff at one point, even though he is not actually present.

Jacob Elordi landed in hospital after freak shower accident during 'Wuthering Heights'

Margot Robbie wears stunning tribute to Elizabeth Taylor at 'Wuthering Heights' premiere

'Wuthering Heights'.

Cathy’s pregnancy

In a major twist, Cathy never gives birth to her and Edgar's daughter in the film. Instead, she loses the baby at some point during her illness. In the book, the child, named Catherine Linton in honor of her mother, survives and plays a major role in the second half, marrying Heathcliff and Isabella's son, Linton Heathcliff.

Cathy’s death

In the book, Cathy dies of complications relating to premature childbirth and her fragile mental state. But in the film, her cause of death is said to be sepsis.

From beyond the grave

Since Fennell's adaptation ends right after Cathy's death, it does not feature any of the supernatural elements woven into Brontë's novel. In the book, a ghostly apparition of Cathy visits Lockwood one evening at Wuthering Heights, demanding to be let in through a window. Heathcliff also claims to be haunted by Cathy throughout the novel, and local villagers say they've seen the pair strolling on the Moors together after their deaths.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Drama”