Jacob Elordi Reveals Terrifying Burn Accident on Wuthering Heights Set: Hospitalized with Second-Degree Injuries in Shocking Steam Shower Mishap

Hollywood heartthrob Jacob Elordi, the 28-year-old star whose brooding intensity has captivated audiences from Euphoria to Saltburn, has opened up about a harrowing incident that landed him in the hospital during the filming of his latest project, Wuthering Heights. In a candid interview with Esquire magazine, Elordi detailed a “freak accident” that resulted in painful second-degree burns across his back— an event he humorously ties to his deep dive into method acting for the iconic role of Heathcliff. The revelation, coming just days after the film’s world premiere, has sent shockwaves through fans and the industry alike, blending elements of real-life peril with the gothic drama of Emily Brontë’s timeless novel.

The accident unfolded in a way that sounds almost scripted for one of Elordi’s intense roles. While staying at a rented house during production, Elordi decided to unwind with a steam shower after a grueling day on set. As he recounted to Esquire, the mishap occurred when he leaned back to clean his feet, inadvertently pressing his bare skin against a scalding brass knob that controlled the steam output. “I stood up screaming; it tore up my back,” he described, painting a vivid picture of the sudden agony that ensued. The burn was severe enough to require immediate medical attention, leading to his hospitalization where doctors confirmed second-degree burns—characterized by blistering, intense pain, and potential long-term scarring.

Emerald Fennell, the acclaimed director behind Wuthering Heights and previous hits like Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, recalled the frantic moments following the incident. “I got a text that said, ‘Jacob’s in the hospital,’” she told Esquire. “Obviously I thought, ‘Oh my god, he’s had a car accident,’ and then he was like, ‘He’s burnt his back in the shower.’” Fennell, known for her sharp wit, couldn’t resist adding a touch of humor: “It was in the spirit of Daniel Day-Lewis.” Elordi, ever the quick-witted actor, fired back, “It was actual Daniel Day-Lewis. In the shower.” This lighthearted exchange underscores the close-knit dynamic on set, but it doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the scare.

The irony of the situation isn’t lost on anyone familiar with the project. Elordi was portraying Heathcliff, the tormented anti-hero of Brontë’s 1847 novel, a character marked by physical and emotional scars from a life of hardship and abuse. Just hours before the accident, the film’s makeup artist, Siân Miller, had been designing prosthetic scars for Heathcliff’s back—whip marks from his brutal upbringing. Teasing Elordi about his commitment to the role, Miller quipped, “If Daniel Day-Lewis was playing Heathcliff, he would have come in with scars.” Elordi, embracing the challenge with his trademark intensity, joked back, “Well, I’m going to go away and maim myself on the weekend to prove to you that I’m Heathcliff!”

Of course, no one expected the jest to manifest into reality. Elordi’s decision to thoroughly clean off the day’s grime—mange, dirt, and makeup meant to evoke Heathcliff’s ragged existence—stemmed from lessons learned on previous sets. He referenced his time filming Frankenstein, where he left heavy makeup on for authenticity, only to regret the hassle. “As Heathcliff, I was covered in mange and dirt, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to do that again, I’m going to clean my feet properly every night and come in to work fresh the next day,’” he explained. That commitment to hygiene turned disastrous when the steam knob, protruding from the wall, seared into his skin like a branding iron.

Medical experts describe second-degree burns as penetrating the outer layer of skin and into the dermis, causing swelling, redness, and severe pain that can last for weeks. Treatment typically involves wound cleaning, pain management, and sometimes antibiotics to prevent infection. Elordi was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent evaluation and care before being released. Sources close to the production confirm that filming paused briefly to allow for his recovery, but Elordi returned to set by Monday, determined not to let the injury derail the project. “He’s a trooper,” one insider told The Sun. “Jacob powered through with bandages and a lot of grit—much like Heathcliff himself.”

Wuthering Heights, Fennell’s ambitious adaptation of Brontë’s gothic masterpiece, pairs Elordi with Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, the fiery soulmate whose doomed romance drives the narrative. The film, which explores themes of passion, revenge, and social class in the windswept Yorkshire moors, has been generating buzz since its announcement. Robbie, 35, brings her own star power, fresh off Barbie and Birds of Prey, to a role immortalized by previous actresses like Merle Oberon in the 1939 classic and Juliette Binoche in the 1992 version. Elordi’s Heathcliff marks a departure from his previous heartthrob roles, delving into darker, more primal territory—a challenge he embraced fully.

Preparation for the role was immersive. Elordi spent months in the UK, isolating himself in rural settings to capture Heathcliff’s brooding isolation. He worked with dialect coaches to nail the period accent, studied horse riding for scenes on the moors, and even experimented with physical transformations to embody the character’s ragged appearance. The method acting nod to Daniel Day-Lewis—famous for extreme commitments like learning to butcher meat for Gangs of New York or staying in character as a paralyzed artist in My Left Foot—adds a layer of meta-drama to Elordi’s accident. Day-Lewis, a three-time Oscar winner, is often cited as the pinnacle of dedication, but Elordi’s mishap serves as a cautionary tale about the blurred lines between art and life.

The film’s production wasn’t without its challenges beyond Elordi’s injury. Shot amid unpredictable English weather, the cast endured freezing rains and gusty winds to capture the novel’s atmospheric despair. Robbie has spoken in interviews about the physical toll: “We were out there in the mud, getting battered by the elements—it felt authentic, but exhausting.” Fennell, directing her third feature, aimed for a raw, sensual take on the story, emphasizing the erotic undercurrents often glossed over in adaptations. Early reviews from the January 28, 2026, world premiere at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood praise the chemistry between Elordi and Robbie, calling it “electrifying” and “heart-wrenchingly volatile.”

Photos from the premiere capture Elordi in a sharp black suit, smiling alongside Robbie in a flowing gown, belying the recent trauma. Additional snaps from the global junket at Greystone Mansion show the pair laughing during photocalls, while images from the Paris premiere at Le Grand Rex on February 2 depict Elordi exiting a cinema with a confident stride. These public appearances reassure fans that the actor is on the mend, but the scar—both literal and metaphorical—will likely remain a part of his Heathcliff lore.

Elordi’s rise to fame has been meteoric. Born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1997, he first gained notice in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth trilogy, where his portrayal of bad-boy Noah Flynn turned him into a teen idol. But it was his role as the volatile Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria that showcased his dramatic chops, earning him critical acclaim and a legion of fans. Subsequent projects like Deep Water with Ben Affleck, The Sweet East, and Saltburn—where he danced naked in a memorable scene—solidified his status as a versatile leading man. Off-screen, Elordi’s relationships with high-profile figures like Zendaya (rumored) and Kaia Gerber have kept him in the tabloids, but he maintains a private demeanor, focusing on craft over celebrity.

This accident isn’t the first brush with danger for actors on intense sets. Hollywood history is rife with similar tales: Harrison Ford’s leg injury on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Tom Cruise’s ankle break during Mission: Impossible – Fallout, or Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt mishaps in Harry Potter. Method acting, in particular, has a dark side—think Heath Ledger’s immersion into the Joker leading to sleepless nights, or Christian Bale’s extreme weight loss for The Machinist. Elordi’s story adds to this canon, highlighting the risks performers take to deliver authenticity.

Fan reactions have poured in across social media. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #JacobElordiAccident and #GetWellJacob trended, with users sharing messages of support: “Jacob going full method for Heathcliff? Iconic but scary—hope he’s okay!” one wrote. Others joked about the steam shower peril: “Note to self: Avoid brass knobs in showers. Poor Jacob!” Reddit threads in r/movies and r/euphoria dissect the interview, praising Elordi’s commitment while debating the merits of method acting. “It’s dedication, but at what cost?” a top comment reads.

As Wuthering Heights gears up for wide release, the buzz around Elordi’s performance—and this behind-the-scenes drama—only intensifies. The film promises to be a visual feast, with sweeping cinematography capturing the moors’ wild beauty and a soundtrack blending haunting folk tunes with modern orchestration. Co-stars include a stellar ensemble: Andrew Garfield as Edgar Linton, Anya Taylor-Joy as Isabella, and veteran Judi Dench in a cameo as the housekeeper Nelly Dean. Fennell’s vision reimagines the novel through a contemporary lens, emphasizing class warfare and toxic masculinity—themes that resonate in today’s world.

Elordi’s recovery has been swift, thanks to prompt medical care and his athletic build from years of sports like rugby and swimming. He credits the production team for their support: “They wrapped me up like a mummy and got me back on set.” Looking ahead, Elordi’s slate is packed—rumors swirl of a Frankenstein adaptation (which he referenced in the interview) and potential superhero roles. But for now, his focus is on promoting Wuthering Heights, a project that nearly scarred him for life.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the human fragility behind Hollywood glamour. Jacob Elordi didn’t set out to “maim” himself, but in a twist of fate, he embodied Heathcliff’s pain more deeply than intended. As fans await the film’s arrival, one thing is clear: Elordi’s star burns brighter than ever—scars and all. The gothic romance of Wuthering Heights has spilled into reality, leaving us all breathless.