Kate Winslet Steps Behind the Camera: "I've Been Raising A Family"

Kate Winslet, the acclaimed actress celebrated for her roles in films like Titanic and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is making her directorial debut with Goodbye June, a British drama slated for release in select theaters on December 12, 2025, before streaming on Netflix on December 24, 2025. In a recent interview, Winslet opened up about why, after decades in the industry, she's only now taking on the director's role, revealing that a primary reason was her commitment to raising her family.

"I think I've often said, 'I've been raising a family. I've got other things going on,'" Winslet explained, acknowledging the demands of motherhood. She also confessed that fear played a significant role in her reluctance to direct earlier in her career. Speaking to Empire magazine, she admitted, "I just decided - 'F*** it. I'm gonna do this.' I'd always said I was too busy raising a family, but the truth is, I was probably scared".

Winslet also highlighted the double standards that women often face in the film industry, noting the increased scrutiny placed on actresses who transition to directing. "And I'm acutely aware of how much harder it is for actresses to turn into directors than it is for our male counterparts," she stated. "There's a lot more scrutiny — people wondering, 'Can they or can't they do it?'". Despite these pressures, Winslet expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating she is relishing every single day.

Goodbye June centers on a family during the holiday season, where the mother's declining health forces her four adult children and their father to confront their strained family dynamics. The film features an ensemble cast including Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, and Timothy Spall, in addition to Winslet herself. The script is penned by Winslet's son, Joe Anders. Winslet stars as Julia, one of June's children, with Helen Mirren playing June, the matriarch of the family.

Winslet revealed that the prospect of another director helming her son's script felt unacceptable, motivating her to take the reins. "I said that I want for us to really feel like we've done this. I want to direct it," Winslet explained.

The Oscar-winning actress also expressed that her extensive experience on film sets has prepared her for this new challenge. "Christ knows, I've been on enough film sets to know what works and what doesn't… I've been around enough actors to, I think, have some degree of instinct about what's helpful and what's not,” she remarked. She also mentioned drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Francis Lee and Todd Haynes.

Winslet has been feeling the pressure to direct for a while. She previously noted how she felt she was "letting down other women" by turning down opportunities to direct. She told the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, "So many people will say to me on film sets, people I work with and know well, whether it's an actor or a crew member, they will say, 'Why aren't you directing?' and I'll go, 'No, no, no, please don't say it. Stop saying it. Why does everyone keep saying it?'".

In addition to Goodbye June, Winslet is set to star in Trust, an upcoming HBO limited series directed by Todd Haynes, marking a reunion for the duo who previously collaborated on Mildred Pierce. Winslet will also reprise her role as Ronal in James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash, expected to release on December 19, 2025.