The Australian actor on risk-taking, literature, and the calm behind his cinematic intensity.
Jacob Elordi is still only in his twenties, but already he has carved out a career that moves effortlessly between the stylish excess of Euphoria, the unsettling eccentricity of Saltburn, and more classical literary terrain. The Brisbane-born actor, who first drew international notice with Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films, has made a habit of shifting gears in unexpected ways. It’s a quality that has quickly marked him as one of the most versatile talents of his generation.
Next up, Elordi stars in Wuthering Heights, a new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Gothic classic. Taking on the tempestuous role of Heathcliff is no small task, and the project promises to show him in yet another new light.
He’s also set to appear in The Dog Stars, based on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel about survival, loss and love after catastrophe.
Yet if his screen work is increasingly bold, in conversation Elordi is thoughtful, measured, and sometimes unexpectedly funny. The 28-year-old speaks about the craft of acting with the same calmness he does about surfing or literature; he references the pull of home, the pressure of fame, his sense of style, and the things he still hopes to achieve.
Q: You’ve taken on some very intense characters recently, and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights is another huge challenge. What drew you to that role?
ELORDI: Heathcliff has always fascinated me. He’s romantic, tortured, and deeply flawed, which makes him incredibly human.
When I first read the book as a teenager, I remember feeling unsettled, like he wasn’t someone you could neatly define. That ambiguity is what makes him so compelling to play. It’s not about trying to make him likeable, it’s about being honest with his contradictions and showing how destructive love can be.
Q: And with The Dog Stars…
ELORDI: That story is really about solitude, and I had to imagine what it would be like to live with almost no one around you. I spent a lot of time outdoors, just trying to be quiet and still, which is harder than you think when you’re used to being on set or in cities. There’s also a physical side – you want to look like someone who has been surviving, not living comfortably. So it was about stripping things back, physically and emotionally, and letting the silences carry weight.
Q: Do you enjoy bouncing between such contrasting projects?
ELORDI: Absolutely. That’s the joy of acting for me. If I’m repeating myself, I lose interest quickly. I like that people might look at Heathcliff and then at a character in a post-apocalyptic setting and think, “How is that the same guy?” It keeps me on my toes and hopefully keeps audiences guessing as well.
Q: Growing up in Brisbane, did you ever imagine yourself playing these kinds of roles on a global stage?
ELORDI: Not really. I grew up in a very normal suburban setting, and acting wasn’t something that felt like a realistic career. I loved movies, but it seemed like this distant world that belonged to people in Hollywood.
I remember watching films late at night and imagining myself in them, but it was more of a fantasy. When I actually got my first few jobs, it felt surreal. Even now, I sometimes step onto a set and can’t believe this is my life.
Q: Do you still spend much time in Australia?
ELORDI: As much as I can. My family is there, and it’s important to me to stay connected to that. There’s something grounding about being home – the beaches, the pace of life, even just having a coffee at a local café. It reminds me of who I am outside of all the noise.
Whenever I start feeling like I’m losing perspective, I know it’s time to go home for a bit.
Q: How do your family feel about the attention you’re getting now?
ELORDI: They’re supportive but also quite unfazed. My mum and dad treat me exactly the same as they always have, which is good because it means I don’t get carried away with the hype. They’re proud, of course, but they also remind me that at the end of the day I’m just their son, and that’s more important than any film or magazine cover.
I still have a room at home, I still have a coat hook, I’m still their boy!
Q: You’ve become something of a style figure in recent years, especially with your work with Louis Vuitton. Do you enjoy fashion?
ELORDI: I do, but I don’t take it too seriously. I see fashion as another form of storytelling. Clothes can say something about who you are without you having to explain it. When I’m working with a brand like Louis Vuitton, I’m not just putting on clothes, I’m collaborating with designers who have a vision. Off-duty, I’m very simple. I like a good suit when the occasion calls for it, but most of the time I’m in jeans and a T-shirt.
Q: What’s your day-to-day lifestyle like when you’re not filming?
ELORDI: Pretty quiet, actually. I like reading, surfing and cooking. I’m not much of a nightlife person. I enjoy being around a small group of friends or just having time to myself. I think because work can be so public, I need my personal life to be the opposite.
Q: Do you feel pressure being labelled as a Hollywood ‘heartthrob’?
ELORDI: Labels like that can be flattering, but they can also be limiting. I don’t mind if people admire how I look, but I want the work to be the focus. You can’t control how people perceive you, so I try not to overthink it. My job is to keep pushing myself as an actor, and if that challenges the way people see me, then that’s a good thing.
I think the best thing for anyone who gets these sorts of comments is if they genuinely can’t see in themselves what others see of them. It would be kind of weird to me if every time I passed a mirror I said, ‘Check you out!’, and I’m glad that isn’t the case.
I don’t really view myself as anything other than me – certainly not a heartthrob!
Q: You’ve worked with some incredible directors already. Is there anyone still on your wish list?
ELORDI: So many. I’d love to work with people like Martin Scorsese or Greta Gerwig, who bring such distinct voices to their films. But I’m also drawn to new, up-and-coming directors who are telling stories in fresh ways. For me, it’s less about chasing big names and more about finding scripts that move me.
Q: Fame can be overwhelming. How do you stay grounded in the middle of it?
ELORDI: It’s about having boundaries. I try to keep parts of my life private and not get caught up in the constant noise of social media or publicity. I used to be on it quite a bit as a kid and I know how nasty and vindictive it can be.
Of course it’s also a brilliant tool for us to talk about our movies, so I’m not blind to the splintered nature of it.
There are also lots of cool videos of dogs on surfboards there [laughs].
Q: You’ve spoken in the past about the role has literature played in your life…
ELORDI: Books were my way into imagination. I loved reading growing up, and I still do. When you read, you have to create the images in your mind, and I think that helped me as an actor. With Wuthering Heights, for example, the source material is so rich that it gives you a foundation to build from. I like that literature asks you to slow down, to sit with words and ideas. That’s something I try to bring into my work as well.
Q: Looking ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to build in your career?
ELORDI: I don’t think too much about legacy yet, but I hope people see that I took risks and didn’t settle for safe choices.
I’d like to look back and feel that I explored as much as I could as an actor, whether that’s in big films, smaller indies, or even theatre. At the same time, I want to remain true to myself and not lose the joy that got me into this in the first place.
Jacob Elordi
