Actress Alison Oliver, known for her role in Wuthering Heights, has candidly shared her feelings about filming intimate scenes during a recent photoshoot and interview with ELLE UK. The 28-year-old star, who is set to portray Isabella Linton in Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel, revealed that she finds sex scenes inherently uncomfortable but values the role of intimacy coordinators in making the process professional.
Navigating Intimacy on Set
In her conversation with the publication, Oliver expressed that she could not imagine filming such scenes without the support of an intimacy coordinator. She explained, "I couldn't imagine not having them; sex scenes are uncomfortable for everyone. They take the discomfort out by making it professional." This insight comes as fans eagerly anticipate Fennell's take on the classic story, following her previous provocative film Saltburn.
A Star-Studded Cast and Racy Adaptation
The adaptation features a high-profile cast, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi leading as the star-crossed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff. Speculation has been rife that this version will be steamier than previous interpretations, a notion that Oliver addressed by linking it to Fennell's personal experience with the book.
She revealed, "It's how Emerald experienced the book when she read it as a teenager. So it's not what's on the page, and I don't think that's what it's trying to be." Oliver added that Fennell's films are never boring and are likely to generate significant attention, though she remains detached from worrying about public reception.
Delving into Isabella Linton's Character
Oliver provided deeper insight into her role as Isabella Linton, describing her as "a very repressed character who is desperate for love." She highlighted Fennell's unique interpretation, noting, "Emerald's interpretation of Isabella's story is the reverse of Cathy's; there's an uncorseting of her. Like she becomes undone. There's something so powerful about being underestimated."
Securing the Role and Personal Reflections
The actress shared that she learned of her casting through a text message from Fennell, with whom she had previously collaborated on Saltburn. "She said, if you want Isabella, she's yours," Oliver recalled, underscoring the director's direct and supportive approach.
Beyond her professional life, Oliver touched on her use of social media, admitting she often questions why she maintains an Instagram presence with nearly 100,000 followers. She stated, "I often don't know why I have it because my job is to make others believe I'm someone else." However, she acknowledged its value in staying informed about global issues, specifically mentioning the ongoing situation in Gaza as a way to educate herself and find ways to help.
Emerald Fennell's Vision for the Adaptation
Fennell herself has spoken about the challenges of adapting such a revered novel, explaining her decision to include quotation marks in the film's title, "Wuthering Heights". She described the book as "dense, complicated and difficult," making a direct adaptation impossible. Instead, she aims to create a version that reflects her personal reading experience and engages with the novel's passionate fanbase.
In discussions with the Brontë Parsonage Museum and other enthusiasts, Fennell emphasized, "It is Wuthering Heights and it isn't." She believes that any adaptation, especially of a classic like this, should acknowledge its interpretive nature, hence the symbolic use of quotation marks to denote it as one perspective among many.
As anticipation builds for this fresh take on a literary masterpiece, Oliver's revelations offer a glimpse into the thoughtful and professional approach behind the scenes, blending personal discomfort with artistic dedication in bringing Isabella Linton's story to life.
