Ed Westwick and Gemma Arterton are set to embark on a dark love affair - the pair has been cast in the remake of tragic romance Wuthering Heights.

After a series of setbacks, including leading lady Natalie Portman dropping out of the project, studio bosses have finally decided on Bond girl Arterton to play Cathy in the new adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel.

And Gossip Girl hunk Westwick will take on the menacing anti-hero Heathcliff, a role that was first linked to Hunger actor Michael Fassbender.

And the movie's producer Robert Bernstein is ecstatic with the casting choice because the Brits are both in their early 20s - the perfect age for the characters.

He says, "We've cast it as written. Heathcliff's a teen, and the story takes him into his early 20s. Cathy is just as young. It's radical because usually actors playing these characters are much older.

"We're very proud to have British actors."

Filming is expected to start later this year.

Gemma Arterton Gallery

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)