The Run-Through with Vogue – Episode Summary

Episode Title

Emerald Fennell Captures the Transgressive Power of Wuthering Heights
Date: February 12, 2026

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers on the reinterpretation of Wuthering Heights by filmmaker Emerald Fennell, focusing on her new adaptation and its transgressive, unapologetic take on Bronte’s classic. The conversation delves deeply into themes of gothic romance, taboo desire, and literary legacy, with Fennell discussing her creative choices, the power of "mad women" in literature, and her signature visual style. The hosts also touch on current fashion news, NYC Fashion Week, and highlight figures making waves in the industry, including a notable conversation about South Asian model Bavita and coverage on the Winter Olympics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Club & Screening: Wuthering Heights / Fennell’s Film

[02:23–06:18]

• Vogue’s editors hosted a book club around Wuthering Heights, culminating in a screening of Fennell’s adaptation.
• Both hosts enthuse about the cast—especially Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie as the leads.
• Discussion of the film’s “sizzling” chemistry and the set as an evolving character.
• The tension and execution of intimate scenes are lauded, while young actors’ performances are highlighted as standout.

Memorable Quote:
"This is the version of the movie that the 14-year-old me who read this book for the first time really wanted to see. And it really just felt so unapologetic and just turned every dial up all the way." – Chloe [03:23]

2. Fashion Week Rundown

[06:18–13:28]

• Discussion of Chloe’s new Vogue cover—praise for Rosalia and Bad Bunny’s approachable styling.
• Marc Jacobs’ surprising, minimalist show at the Park Avenue Armory described as “nostalgic” and a “wonderland world” pared down to essentials.
• Excitement around up-and-coming shows, e.g., Rachel Scott for Proenza Schouler and new venues like the Marcel Breuer building for Tory Burch.
• Hosts chat about balancing personal style with the realities of NYC winter, with humorous, relatable banter about weather-appropriate shoes.

3. Spotlight: Bavita – A Modern Model’s Rise

[13:42–19:05]

• Chioma shares an interview with rising model Bavita, lauding her intelligence, unique journey (discovered on the NYC subway), and rapid ascension.
• Discussion centers on representation: Bavita’s impact as a South Asian model and public discourse around colorism and beauty norms.
• Bavita’s thoughtful, grounded approach to her new fame stands out.

Memorable Quote:
"She just really is owning the space and wants to be a voice, not just a face… she just really is doing such a good job of navigating this really kind of like… once in a lifetime thing that’s happened to her." – Chioma [18:35]

4. Cultural Dispatches: Dr. Jill Biden, David Bowie, Olympics

[19:05–22:07]

• Chioma details her meeting with Dr. Jill Biden on women’s health initiatives.
• Anticipation builds for the David Bowie fashion exhibit.
• Light-hearted chat about Winter Olympics—Chloe wears her Olympic Ralph Lauren sweater, and both are fans of Ilia "the quad God" Malinin.

5. Conversation with Emerald Fennell

[22:53–58:23]

a. Personal Bonds to Wuthering Heights & Adaptation Process

• Fennell discusses her lifelong passion for Wuthering Heights and how her adaptation is rooted in what her 14-year-old self desired from the story.
• She views the novel as “absolutely filthy” and full of hidden, raw sexuality.
• Fennell’s adaptation focuses solely on the first half of the book, intentionally ending with Cathy’s death to capture the emotional zenith.

Memorable Quote:
"I really respected her take. That was like, this is the version of the movie that the 14-year-old me... really wanted to see... so unapologetic and just turned every dial up all the way." – Chloe [03:23]

"The book is absolutely filthy…there’s a sort of quote from Daphne du Maurier… she talks about it as being a kind of sexless book, but I have never experienced it that way.” – Emerald Fennell [25:58]

b. Gothic, Sexuality, and Power

• Discussion of the gothic romance as a distinct literary form: both romantic and “sadomasochistic.”
• The film heightens themes of sexual dynamics, emotional violence, and cruelty that underpin the book but are often glossed over.
• “Gossip is an original power” becomes a recurring motif relating to the dynamics among the characters and the role of women’s agency.

Quote:
"Gothic romance is a very specific type of romance. It's one that kind of has a slight sadomasochistic edge to it.” – Emerald [25:25]

"Gossip is an original power that women have. I mean, it really is such an early form of power wielding that was available to people." – Chloe [39:03]

c. Narrative Choices and Reframing

• The role of Nelly Dean in the story and film is expanded: while some view her as villainous, Fennell positions her as an agent of order—a counterpoint to Cathy and Heathcliff’s chaos.
• The film draws out the physical, tactile elements of the book (e.g., “skin room," eggs, hair), aiming for a visceral cinematic experience.

Quote:
"The main thing for me is the book's visceral. It's physical. You know, you cry and you feel aroused and you feel disgusted. So I wanted to make the film physical…” – Emerald [32:39]

d. On Race & Historical Context

• Fennell navigates the complexity of portraying race in the text, noting that critical interpretations range widely. She acknowledges the challenge of adapting these elements and chooses to focus on the central, transgressive love story.

e. "Bathtub Scene" & Iconic Film Moments

• The hosts inquire about a “bathtub scene” akin to Saltburn's viral moment; Fennell cites scenes that embrace female desire without shame as potentially transgressive highlights, and recounts the practical joys and perils of sitting on eggs on set.

Quote:
"I think a lot of women have watched the film and been like, okay, you know. Because there's still a lot of shame around female desire. So maybe that's the thing." – Emerald [45:00]

f. On Filming & Visual Style

• Emphasis on the bold, tactile visual approach: devil's horns out of hair, skin room, hair on the undersides of furniture.
• Yorkshire’s imposing landscape was both a boon and a challenge due to unpredictable weather and "epic" visuals.

g. Female Madness, Power, and Literary Heroines

• The conversation moves to “madwoman” tropes in Bronte and Fennell’s works, dissecting the boundaries between transgressive female characters, sanity, and outright wildness.
• Fennell asserts that “madness” in these characters is often simply nonconformity or radical emotion.

Quote:
"I think we're always accused of being mad or stupid or, you know, promiscuous or whatever. You know, I think any kind of... Yeah, it's. I think. I mean, Cassie in Promising a Woman is... She's called Cassandra because she's just telling the truth and everyone doesn't believe her." – Emerald [53:25]

6. The Run-Through’s Signature Style

• Conversation is warm, witty, intelligent, and accessible.
• The hosts blend literary analysis, industry talk, and personal anecdotes with humor and respect for their guests’ perspectives.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "This is the version of the movie that the 14-year-old me who read this book for the first time really wanted to see. And it really just felt so unapologetic and just turned every dial up all the way." – Chloe [03:23]
• "The book is absolutely filthy… there’s a sort of quote from Daphne du Maurier… she talks about it as being a kind of sexless book, but I have never experienced it that way.” – Emerald Fennell [25:58]
• "Gothic romance is a very specific type of romance. It's one that kind of has a slight sadomasochistic edge to it." – Emerald [25:25]
• "Gossip is an original power that women have. I mean, it really is such an early form of power wielding that was available to people." – Chloe [39:03]
• "The main thing for me is the book's visceral. It's physical. You know, you cry and you feel aroused and you feel disgusted. So I wanted to make the film physical…” – Emerald [32:39]
• "I think we're always accused of being mad or stupid or... promiscuous or whatever. I mean, Cassie in Promising Young Woman is... She's called Cassandra because she's just telling the truth and everyone doesn't believe her." – Emerald [53:25]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:23] Book club event and Wuthering Heights screening with Emerald Fennell
• [06:18] Vogue cover and Marc Jacobs show at Fashion Week
• [13:42] Chioma’s interview with Bavita and discussion on South Asian beauty
• [19:05] Meeting Dr. Jill Biden and the Bowie exhibit
• [22:53] Extensive interview with Emerald Fennell (starts)
  • [25:25] Gothic romance & sexuality in Wuthering Heights
  • [31:39] Visual choices and adaptation process
  • [36:33] Nelly Dean’s role and “gossip as power”
  • [40:30] Handling racial discourse in adaptation
  • [45:00] The “bathtub scene,” female desire, and iconic moments
  • [53:06] Madwomen, radical emotion, and literary tropes
  • [57:16] Set design details and tactile set choices

Conclusion

This episode delivers an in-depth, lively, and perceptive dissection of Wuthering Heights as filtered through Emerald Fennell’s distinctive, subversive lens. Listeners are treated to sharp literary analysis, backstage fashion insight, and explorations of women’s representation and power on page and screen. Fennell’s passion for the ambiguous, the physical, and the radical shines through—making this conversation a rich resource for both Bronte devotees and contemporary culture fans.