Kate Winslet’s Journey as a First-Time Director: Insights from the Cast of Goodbye June

Kate Winslet directing on the set of ‘Goodbye June’.
Credit :

Kimberley French / Netflix

NEED TO KNOW

• Kate Winslet made her directorial debut with Goodbye June, featuring a star-studded cast including Toni Collette, Timothy Spall, and Helen Mirren.
• Collette and Spall shared their experiences working with Winslet at a New York City screening of the Netflix film.
• Spall has a history with Winslet, having worked with her when she was just 19.

Kate Winslet stepped into the director’s role for the first time this year with Goodbye June, and reactions from the film’s stars reflect enthusiasm surrounding her debut.

At a special screening in New York City, actors Toni Collette and Timothy Spall discussed their experiences with Winslet, who took on multiple roles as director, producer, and star of the film.

Collette, whom Winslet had previously expressed a desire to work with, labeled the collaboration a “dream come true.” "I’ve been saying it for years as well," Collette, 53, noted. This project, based on a script by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, made the experience particularly meaningful for Collette.

From left: Andrea Riseborough, Kate Winslet, Timothy Spall, and Toni Collette at a special screening of ‘Goodbye June’ on Dec. 8, 2025.

Jason Mendez/Getty

“It was more than I even expected, because I thought we’d just act together,” Collette said. “But when someone chooses you to be a part of their directorial debut, that’s a big deal. That’s a total honor. And she’s such a good director."

Collette expressed that it was no surprise Winslet excelled in her new role. "It was just the most beautiful set, such an incredible atmosphere, such an incredible sense of trust and freedom,” she said. “And she’s so generous and kind and grounded and funny. Honestly, none of us wanted it to end.”

Spall shared similar sentiments, noting his long-standing connection to Winslet, dating back to their collaboration on a Hamlet production when she was just 19. He described having Winslet as both a scene partner and director as “completely natural.”

Kate Winslet and Toni Colette in ‘Goodbye June’ on Netflix.

Kimberley French/Netflix

He described Winslet’s qualities, saying, “When I first worked with her and met her, she struck me as being open, funny, brilliant, self-deprecating, and just very, very honest — and that’s just matured. She’s incredibly intelligent, but none of it is demonstrated in a showy way. It’s all completely natural.”

Spall also acknowledged Winslet’s learning from her collaborations with renowned directors, including James Cameron, Nancy Meyers, and Ang Lee, which he believes contributed to her directorial skills. “She is one of the best actors on earth,” he noted. “It makes absolute sense that she should direct a film."

As the conversation turned to the future, Spall expressed his hope for Winslet to continue directing, stating, “If she asked me to work with her again, I’d do it like that. She is absolutely brilliant.”

Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet in ‘Goodbye June’ on Netflix.

Kimberley French/Netflix

Goodbye June, featuring a cast that includes Helen Mirren, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Fisayo Akinade, tells the story of a family navigating chaos and complex dynamics triggered by their mother’s unexpected health issues during Christmas. The mother, June, played by Mirren, orchestrates her decline with humor, honesty, and love.

Goodbye June is now available for streaming on Netflix.