Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is set to embark on a new journey in her career, stepping into the director’s chair for the first time. Goodbye June, a family drama, will mark her directorial debut, and in addition to directing, Winslet will also take on the roles of producer and actress. The Netflix film boasts a star-studded cast, including Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, and the legendary Helen Mirren.
A Story Written by a Mother and Son: Goodbye June
Goodbye June, penned by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, is set in contemporary Britain and follows the emotional journey of estranged siblings who reunite in the wake of an unexpected and challenging event. The film delves into themes of family ties and personal reckonings, promising a deeply moving narrative. Filming is scheduled to begin in Britain later this year.
An Experienced Actress Turned Director
Although this will be Winslet’s first time directing a film, she has long been more than just an actress in the industry. She played a highly active role in the making of Lee, a film in which she both starred and produced. This project went on to earn a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film.
First reported by Screen Daily, this new project also highlights the fact that Winslet had previously turned down several directing offers. However, she now feels a strong responsibility to help increase the presence of female directors in the film industry.
"There Should Be More Female Directors"
During her guest appearance on Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail podcast last autumn, the 49-year-old actress candidly discussed why she had not directed before and how her perspective had evolved over time:
People I’ve worked with on film sets – whether actors or crew members – would constantly ask me, ‘Why don’t you direct?’ And I would always respond, ‘No, no, stop saying that. Why does everyone keep saying that?’ But now, with the need to change the culture of the industry, I feel like not directing would be a betrayal to women. I feel this more and more strongly within myself.
She also emphasized the significance of increasing female representation behind the camera:
The more female directors there are, the more people we can inspire.
Winslet, who has spent years absorbing the technical aspects of filmmaking, now feels fully prepared to direct her own project, stating: “I would never take on something unless I truly knew how to do it properly.”
Most recently, Winslet starred in HBO’s The Regime, a mini-series that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. This recognition allowed her to achieve the rare feat of being nominated in multiple categories at the same ceremony. With Goodbye June, Winslet is poised to prove that her talents extend far beyond acting, marking a promising new phase in her illustrious career.