Margot Robbie Sets New Hollywood Boundaries to Protect Her Son After Years of Misquotes

Key facts

• Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley welcomed their first son in late 2024.
• Robbie told British Vogue she will keep her son private to protect him from media attention.
• She said she has been 'burnt so many times' by quotes taken out of context or fabricated.
• Robbie recalled the first time, 10 years ago, she saw a newspaper quote she never said.
• Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation starring Robbie and Jacob Elordi cost $80 million and grossed over $250 million worldwide.
• Fennell turned down a $150 million offer from Netflix to take $80 million from Warner Bros. for a theatrical release.
• Brian Cox criticized Robbie's casting in 'Wuthering Heights,' saying she is 'too beautiful' for the role.

A New Maternal Vow of Silence

Margot Robbie is drawing a hard line around her private life. Just over a year after giving birth to her first son with husband Tom Ackerley, the actor has declared she will share no further information about her child. During an interview with British Vogue for its January 2026 issue, Robbie had her son with her, and at one point he began crying. 'I'm so sorry, by the way, for how loud my baby is,' she said, before making clear that the glimpse would be the last. 'I'm trying to keep that side of things private and protect him.'

A Decade of Fabricated Quotes and Lost Trust

Robbie's resolve stems from years of seeing her words twisted. 'Earlier in my career, I'd speak more freely in interviews. I've just been burnt so many times, when people have taken what I've said out of context,' she explained. 'And I read stuff all the time where people put me in quotation marks saying things I've never said.' She recalled the shock of first encountering a fabricated quote in a newspaper a decade ago. 'I could not get my head around it. I was like, 'They just made it up?' There was no way for me to change or control it. I just had to accept that,' Robbie said. Now, with a child to protect, acceptance is no longer an option.

Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights': A Sweaty, Divisive Hit

Robbie's latest screen role is Cathy Earnshaw in Emerald Fennell's audacious adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel. The film, which also stars Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, has polarized audiences and critics. Fennell famously turned down a $150 million offer from Netflix to take $80 million from Warner Bros., ensuring a theatrical release. The gamble paid off: the movie grossed more than $250 million worldwide. Its damp, fog-drenched visuals and unapologetically horny tone — complete with explicit moaning, BDSM, and a soundtrack heavy with Charli XCX — have made it a cultural talking point.

Divergent Voices: From Brian Cox's Criticism to Box Office Triumph

Not everyone has embraced the film. Actor Brian Cox did not hold back when sharing his unfiltered thoughts about Robbie's casting, claiming she is 'too beautiful' for the role of Cathy. 'But it's wrong of me to judge,' he added. The film also features a supporting cast that includes Hong Chau as Nelly, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, and Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, whose performance has been singled out for its scene-stealing eccentricity. Despite the controversy, the movie's commercial success — and its bold departures from the source material, such as a framing device involving a public execution and a boner — have cemented Fennell's reputation as a provocateur.

A New Chapter: Motherhood Reshapes a Hollywood Career

Robbie's shift toward privacy marks a significant evolution for an actor who once spoke freely. The lessons of the past decade — the fabricated quotes, the loss of control — have crystallized into a clear boundary. 'I just had to accept that,' she said of the early misquotes, but now acceptance has given way to action. By keeping her son out of the spotlight, she is reclaiming the narrative on her own terms. The move echoes a broader trend among A-list parents who shield their children from the relentless glare of celebrity media.

What Comes Next: The Unseen Child and the Unwritten Rules

Robbie has not revealed her son's name or any identifying details, and she has vowed to keep it that way. The decision sets a precedent for how she will navigate the intersection of motherhood and stardom. With 'Wuthering Heights' still playing in theaters and her profile as high as ever, the actor is entering a phase where her public persona will be more carefully curated. Whether this new boundary will influence how the press covers her — and whether other stars follow suit — remains an open question. For now, Robbie's son will grow up away from the flashbulbs, a small victory in an industry that often demands everything.

The bottom line

• Margot Robbie will not share any information about her son, born in late 2024, to protect his privacy.
• She cited a decade of experiences with fabricated quotes and out-of-context remarks as the reason for her new boundaries.
• Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation, starring Robbie and Jacob Elordi, cost $80 million and grossed over $250 million worldwide.
• Brian Cox publicly criticized Robbie's casting, saying she is 'too beautiful' for the role of Cathy Earnshaw.
• The film features significant departures from Brontë's novel, including explicit sexual content and a Charli XCX-heavy soundtrack.
• Robbie's shift toward privacy reflects a broader trend among celebrities seeking to shield their children from media scrutiny.