credit: ONTD, Empire Online
It seems like classical literature is the gift that keeps on giving! First Sherlock, and now Wuthering Heights! Director Andrea Arnold has cast unknown James Howson as her Heathcliff for her 2011 adaptation of Wuthering Heights, making Howson the first ever black Heathcliff on screen. The casting notes for this adaptation’s Heathcliff stated that the man they were looking for to fill the role would have to be from Yorkshire, between 16-24 years old, and have a Romany appearance (per author Emily Bronte’s description in her novel). The actor also didn’t need to be heavily trained, meaning that unknowns would have a great chance of making it.
Not since Othello have I been this excited about seeing a black actor in a movie based around classic literature. No doubt there are going to be a lot of comparisons to Othello in the time leading up to the film’s release. But I can’t wait to see the film, which is shaping up to be a strong one, what with Kaya Scodelario (BBC’s Skins) in the film.
You can trust that I’ll have more articles about this film, so stay tuned. For now, click here to see the IMDB page for the film.
SOURCES–ONTD, Empire Online
Check out James Northcote as Edgar Linton too (bronteblog)- vey exciting young cast for WH – looking forward to it