Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is set to make her feature film directorial debut with Goodbye June, a family drama coming to Netflix. In addition to directing, Winslet will produce and star in the film, which boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, and Helen Mirren.
The film’s screenplay was penned by Joe Anders, Winslet’s son with former husband Sam Mendes. Kate Solomon, who also produced Winslet’s recent biopic Lee, will join her as a producer. Lee, a film about the WWII photographer Lee Miller, earned Winslet a Golden Globe nomination for her performance and a BAFTA nomination for outstanding British film of the year.
Goodbye June is described by Netflix as a “touching, yet humorous” drama that follows a fractured group of siblings who must come together under unexpected and challenging circumstances. Set in contemporary England, the production is slated to begin soon in the UK.
Speaking about her decision to step behind the camera, Winslet explained during a recent appearance on the How to Fail podcast that while she had previously resisted directing, she now feels a strong sense of “urgency” to take on the role. “The more I’m not doing it now, with the need to change the culture, the more I feel like I’m actually letting down other women by not doing it,” she said. “I’m really starting to feel that in quite a loud way.”
Winslet also expressed her belief in the power of female directors to inspire others. “The more of us that are doing it, the more will be inspiring others to do it,” she added.
Having gained extensive experience on film sets, Winslet feels confident in her ability to helm a project. “There’s no way I’m ever going to do something unless I really know how to do it properly,” she emphasized.
In addition to her directorial debut, Winslet most recently starred in the HBO limited series The Regime, where she received another Golden Globe nomination, further solidifying her versatility as an actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2009 for her role in The Reader.
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