Jacob Elordi made a striking appearance at the premiere of his new miniseries, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, during the 75th Berlinale International Film Festival. Held in snowy Berlin on a chilly Saturday night, the event saw Elordi debut a fresh look: sleek sideburns. Gone was the beard that caused a stir online in December when he served as a jury member at the Marrakech Film Festival. This time, he opted for an all-black ensemble that not only highlighted his new facial hair but also gave a glimpse of his chest hair, adding to his rugged charm. The Euphoria and Saltburn actor confidently strode the red carpet, his sideburns drawing attention as he entered the Zoo Palast alongside director Justin Kurzel and his co-stars. While opinions on his beard were polarizing, it seems his sideburns might be more than just a fashion choice—they could be part of his character’s look in his upcoming role as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation, where he stars opposite Margot Robbie’s Catherine Earnshaw.
The Berlin premiere was primarily for The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a war-set miniseries based on Richard Flanagan’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel. Elordi plays Dorrigo, an Australian medical officer who becomes a prisoner of war during World War II. The series delves into the atrocities of war and the emotional toll it takes on its characters. The two episodes screened at the festival were a mix of harrowing and sensual, alternating between gruesome scenes of life in a POW camp—some so intense that audience members covered their eyes—and the forbidden romance between Dorrigo and Amy, played by Odessa Young. Amy is Dorrigo’s uncle’s much younger wife, and their passionate affair becomes the emotional anchor that sustains him through the horrors of war. The contrast between the brutality of the war scenes and the intimacy of the love story left a lasting impression on the audience.
After the screening, Elordi, Kurzel, and the cast took the stage for a Q&A session. Elordi, known for his charisma, made a playful entrance, motioning for his co-stars and crew to go ahead of him before taking his seat. When asked about developing the central love story with Odessa Young, Elordi shared that the two actors had spent time discussing the script and the nuances of their characters. “We just sat around a table and talked about love and the script and laid on a couch and just sort of chopped it up, freely,” he revealed. He emphasized the freedom they were given to explore their roles, with Kurzel often stepping back to let them act naturally. “Between Odessa and I, we both sincerely love to act,” Elordi said, reflecting on the joy of immersing themselves in their characters.
The Q&A, however, wasn’t without its awkward moments. Some audience members began to leave midway through the session, and one woman interrupted producer Jo Porter, who was discussing the relevance of the series in light of current global conflicts. Porter mentioned that the series felt particularly powerful given the ongoing wars in the world, but the woman shouted out in anger, stating that “nobody gives a shit” about Ukraine, seemingly upset that Porter hadn’t explicitly mentioned the country. Her outburst was met with audible groans from the crowd. Despite the interruption, Elordi handled the situation gracefully. After the Q&A concluded, he flashed a thumbs-up to the audience and thanked them, his gesture reminiscent of Elvis Presley, a nod to his role in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla. While he didn’t fully embrace Method acting for that role, it’s clear that parts of his characters stay with him, and one can only hope his sideburns for Wuthering Heights won’t prove too distracting.
The premiere of The Narrow Road to the Deep North was a significant moment for Elordi, showcasing his ability to take on complex, emotionally demanding roles. His performance as Dorrigo highlights his range as an actor, and the series itself serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. With production underway for Wuthering Heights, Elordi’s sideburns are likely just the beginning of his transformation into the brooding Heathcliff. Fans of the Brontë classic are eagerly anticipating his portrayal of the iconic character, and given his dedication to his craft, it’s safe to expect another compelling performance.
In Berlin, Jacob Elordi proved once again why he’s one of the most exciting young actors working today. From his bold style choices to his nuanced acting, he continues to captivate audiences and critics alike. As he takes on more challenging roles, it’s clear that Elordi is committed to immersing himself in his characters and bringing their stories to life. Whether it’s the intensity of war in The Narrow Road to the Deep North or the passion of a forbidden love in Wuthering Heights, Elordi is proving that he’s ready to take on whatever comes next, one sideburn at a time.
