With the upcoming release of Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights (2026), it seems that fans may have forgotten an iconic adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel starring Tom Hardy in the lead role.
Back in 2009, Tom Hardy starred in a British TV series with the same name (Wuthering Heights), and it was simply iconic. As the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights makes its way onto the big screen, it’s time to revisit the Tom Hardy adaptation, which might just be better than the Jacob Elordi one.
How Tom Hardy Perfected a Brooding Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley in Wuthering Heights (2009) | Credits: Mammoth Screen
In the 2009 ITV adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Tom Hardy took on the role of Heathcliff. Hardy, however, stripped away the Victorian polish to deliver a performance that felt dangerous, feral, and deeply psychological.
Tom Hardy played him as an apex predator. He utilized his physical presence to make Heathcliff feel like an outsider who had survived by sheer force of will. Hardy avoids the “woe-is-me” traps of romantic period dramas. Instead, he leaned into a gritty, modern masculinity.
Tom Hardy dove into the “why” of his character. For Heathcliff, Hardy focused on the trauma of rejection. By emphasizing the character’s status as a displaced orphan, Hardy made the “brooding” feel like a result of social alienation.
Therefore, it can be said that before Jacob Elordi donned the role of Heathcliff, Tom Hardy did it better.
Why You Should Watch This British ITV Series Before Wuthering Heights (2026)
Emerald Fennell’s 2026 version is making headlines for its “chic stylization” and “narcotic pull”, but Tom Hardy’s performance proved you don’t need a modern soundtrack to make the story feel visceral.
Hardy’s Heathcliff isn’t a romantic hero; he is a traumatized, dangerous outsider. The chemistry between Charlotte Riley as Cathy and Tom Hardy as Heathcliff was real since the two fell in love on set and eventually married.
The ITV series, while making some changes, stays much closer to the novel’s dark, cynical storyline than the Jacob Elordi adaptation.
Key Facts About:Wuthering HeightsDirected By:Coky GiedroycCast:Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley, Andrew LincolnRelease Date:January 18, 2009IMDb Rating:7.5/10Rotten Tomatoes Score:84%No. of Episodes:2Production House:British ITVWhere to Watch:BritBox
Which adaptation are you more excited for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Wuthering Heights (2026) is set to open in theaters on February 13, 2026 (USA).
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