In Emerald Fennell’s reimagining of “Wuthering Heights”, newcomer Charlotte Mellington brings young Cathy to life and tells us all about Yorkshire’s rainy moors and sharing the red carpet with Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi and Charli xcx.

There are first premieres, and then there are first premieres for a production as monumental as Wuthering Heights, where Charlotte Mellington found herself standing next to Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie and Charli xcx.

At just 14-years-old, the British actress steps into the world of Emily Brontë’s classic novel as young Cathy in Emerald Fennell’s much-anticipated and (even more) discussed adaptation, despite not being able to read past her part of the script because of her young age. The actress had her breakout on the West End as Lavender in Matilda the Musical, and this is not only her dream on-screen role, but it is also her first film role.

From sharing a hair and makeup room with Robbie, who plays the older version of Cathy, to being guided by Fennell’s distinct direction, Charlotte talks about finding Cathy, running through the rain-soaked moors with Owen Cooper, and why she secretly dreams of one day joining The Hunger Games.

Charlotte, thank you so much for chatting with us. How are you today? Tell us all about the London premiere of Wuthering Heights.

Hi, I’m really good, thank you. The premiere was my first one ever, and I thought I would be super nervous. But I think I just had such a fun, chill time, getting ready, having my hair and make up done and just being with my family – in the nicest hotel EVER – it just set the mood for an amazing evening.  I was really excited to be there and just really happy. My best friends surprised me in the foyer of the hotel as we were leaving, so that was so nice.  That was definitely one of my favourite moments from the premiere. It was also brilliant to see Emerald and the rest of the cast and crew, and be part of such an incredible event. 

PS: We loved your dress.

Oh thank you – it was by Shushu Tong, and it was incredible. The individual embroidery of all the little flowers on the dress was just so amazing – I loved it.  I didn’t realise until after that Vy’s (Nyugen) dress in black was Shushu Tong also, so we were channelling a bit of yin and yang, which was so perfect. 

Did you always dream of becoming an actor? Were there any particular films that made you feel you wanted to work in this industry?

Actually, no! I think as kids, you always have different dreams growing up – I wanted to be a chef, then an artist and then an ice skater (even though I’d only been twice..), and it goes on like that.

But then, when I was 11, one of my good friends from school was going for a Performing Arts scholarship when applying for secondary school, which really inspired me to give it a shot as well. I worked really hard for those 4 months in the lead up to the auditions, having singing, dancing and acting lessons and got all three. We couldn’t believe it.  A year later, I was lucky enough to have been brought on by an agent and had been cast as Lavender in Matilda the Musical on the West End, so it was definitely a whirlwind.

Any particular films?

The Hunger Games was one of the films that was a staple that made me want to be part of this industry.
I think those movies were just so amazing to me. I think all the actors were incredible, and I love Jennifer Lawrence, she’s definitely someone I look up to.

When did you first audition for this role? How did the project find its way to you?

The first time I read the script, I was blown away and couldn’t wait to start.  I could tell from the first page that Cathy was this wild, slightly savage creature that I was so excited to bring to life. Although we only got to read the script up until Margot and Jacob took over, as we were too young at the time!

How was your time on set? Tell us about some of your favourite memories from filming.

Well, I think my time on set was the best time of my life so far, I had such a lovely time with all the cast and my favourite memories of filming…. I loved the adrenaline of running through the moors with Owen and Vy, and getting rained on, the more rain the better! Owen completely stacked it into the mud, and I remember laughing until I couldn’t breathe, so that was definitely a highlight.

Also, meeting all the animals on set, my ultimate moment was meeting the stunt horse from the series ‘Free Rein’, I was obsessed with ‘Free Rein’ when I was younger. There were also piglets and all the dogs, especially Isabella Linton’s dog, who was so tiny! 

What was it like working with Margot Robbie in shaping a character you both portray? How did each of you approach Cathy in your own way?

Margot and I saw each other all the time in the hair and make-up room. I think Margot did an incredible job of mirroring the mannerisms and looks of her younger version – I was blown away by how similar we were. I think she really reflected that so well in the older, slightly darker version of Cathy. You really need a brilliant director to help you do that, as you’re not on set at the same time, so having Emerald to guide me on what and how to do it, as she had the overview of both of us, was invaluable. 

Have you seen the final cut yet? What did you make of it?

Yes, I have. I think it’s a real masterpiece. I think Emerald is an absolute genius. In my opinion, all the cast give fantastic performances. I remember Emerald saying, ‘Oscars all round!’ which was really funny.  And I cried watching the film – it’s tragic!

Margot and Jacob are having a serious fashion moment on this press tour, and the costumes in Wuthering Heights are said to be spectacular. What was it like collaborating with the costume department and seeing the whole cast come together visually?

Yes, the costumes are mind-blowing. I saw Margot’s amazing dresses on mannequins when I went for my costume fittings before filming started. I was really taken aback and was thinking how incredible it was going to be.

Younger Cathy has simpler but very intricate costumes with beautiful embroidery and patterns. In fact, the bag that I took to the premiere had embroidery on it that was inspired by the patterns on Young Cathy’s petticoat in the film. As Cathy grows up, the costumes morph into more elaborate, spectacular outfits. I think that portrays her journey growing up from her simpler life to when she goes to live with Edgar, and her whole life is switched around.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about what’s to come? Are there any roles you dream of playing one day – grown-up Cathy, perhaps?

Can you imagine if I came back one day as a grown up Cathy? How incredible would that be.  Although I’m not sure how any other adaptations could be as good as Emerald’s – it would be an almost impossible act to follow!

I’m just excited to see what the future brings and what other roles might be out there – I love so many genres.  It sounds weird, but I have always wanted to be in a horror movie, all the special effects and a specific type of acting. My dream is also to play a strong, complex lead like Katniss Everdeen. I’m always here for any role in the Hunger Games!

Photography by Stefan Bertin 

Styling by Felicity Kay (wearing bespoke embroidered t-shirt by Cressida Jamieson) 

Hair by Halley Brisker

Makeup by Gine Kane