Australian actress Margot Robbie has made a surprising revelation about her role in the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. The 35-year-old star, who appears alongside Jacob Elordi in director Emerald Fennell's interpretation of Emily Bronte's classic novel, disclosed that she wasn't originally intended to play the lead character Cathy.
Unexpected Casting Decision
During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show this week, Robbie explained her unexpected journey to securing the starring role. "I wasn't always going to be in it," she confessed. "I was thrilled to be the producer but at some point, we were talking about Cathy, and I decided to throw my hat into the ring."
The actress expressed her long-standing desire to work with Fennell as a performer rather than just a producer. "I've always wanted to be one of Emerald's actors and fortunately, she felt the same way," Robbie revealed. "It worked out wonderfully."
Accent Struggles Revealed
In a particularly candid moment, Robbie opened up about her early career challenges with accents. When fellow guest Amanda Seyfried discussed her difficulties mastering a Manchester accent for The Testament of Ann Lee, Robbie interjected with her own story.
"When I started on TV I had to have a dialect coach because I come from Queensland and I was thought too Australian for Neighbours!" she revealed. The actress admitted she couldn't initially hear the problem with her accent, but producers were blunt in their assessment: "They said, 'You are just awful to listen to!'"
Co-Star Connections
Robbie was joined on the sofa by her Wuthering Heights co-star Jacob Elordi, who previously collaborated with Fennell on Saltburn. The conversation turned to Elordi's own Australian television aspirations, with the actor revealing his unsuccessful attempts to break into soap operas.
"I tried so hard," Elordi admitted. "I auditioned for Neighbours twice and for Home and Away maybe three times, but they just didn't cast me."
Film's Creative Vision
Robbie elaborated on Fennell's unique approach to the classic novel, explaining that the director focused on the emotional experience rather than creating a straightforward adaptation. "Emerald loves the book and she really focused on the feeling it gave her when she first read it at 14," Robbie said.
She continued: "She channels that raw emotional experience so it's an interpretation rather than an adaptation. In my opinion it is one of the greatest love stories of all time and it has a great cast and incredible actors. It's a great film."
Barbie Success Reflection
The conversation briefly touched on Robbie's recent blockbuster success with Barbie. When asked if she anticipated the film's massive impact, she responded: "We sounded insane in pitch meetings when we said it would take a billion dollars and be a global moment. Thank God it did as everyone thought it was risky."
Other Guest Revelations
The show featured several other notable guests with their own announcements. Amanda Seyfried expressed strong interest in appearing in the rumoured Mamma Mia 3, stating: "If I don't get it, I will be pissed. I really want to be in it, but I don't know much else about it."
Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe discussed his upcoming role in the musical Kinky Boots, describing it as a dream opportunity. "I feel like it was meant to be," he said. "I secretly told people for a long time that I would love to do it."
Radebe also revealed that his memoir JoJo: Finally Home is being adapted into a film, though he hopes not to play himself in the production. "It is in development stage, and I just read my first script which is lovely," he shared. "I am hoping not to play myself, but I might make a cameo appearance."
Addressing speculation about his future on Strictly Come Dancing, Radebe was emphatic: "I will do that show for as long as they will have me. It's a magical sparkling world. I love it."
The Graham Norton Show featuring these revelations airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 6th February at 10.40pm.
