Kate Winslet Directs Son in 'Goodbye June'

A Mother-Son Collaboration: Kate Winslet and Joe Anders on 'Goodbye June'

Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut in Netflix's upcoming film 'Goodbye June', marking a deeply personal collaboration with her 21-year-old son, Joe Anders. The project, which premieres in theaters December 12 and streams on Netflix Christmas Eve, stems from an intimate family experience that shaped both their artistic journeys.

The Personal Spark Behind the Film

Anders wrote 'Goodbye June' during his screenwriting studies at the National Film and Television School, drawing inspiration from his grandmother's—Winslet's mother—battle with terminal cancer. 'The majority of the people in that room were from that one woman, and all of the people in that room were there for that one woman at that one period in time,' Anders recalls. 'And that was the only thing that mattered.'

'If the script was a piece of shit, then yes. But it’s not.'

Initially sharing an unfinished draft with his mother for feedback, Anders was shocked when Winslet insisted the script deserved cinematic life. 'I kept saying to him, 'If the script was a piece of shit, then yes. But it's not,'' Winslet states, acknowledging her son's skepticism about parental bias.

Navigating Family and Filmmaking

As first-time collaborators, Winslet (in her directorial debut) and Anders faced unique challenges transitioning from parent-child to professional creative partners. 'It is interesting to try and figure that out when, your whole life, the dynamic has been mother and son—and then all of a sudden it's director and writer,' Anders explains.

Their creative process involved refining Anders' initial script, which Winslet diplomatically notes needed trimming. 'I had to find a way of saying to my son, 'This is fantastic. Cut it in half,' she shares. Netflix's involvement added another layer, requiring them to balance artistic vision with studio notes while preserving their core narrative.

Authenticity in Ensemble Casting

Winslet prioritized authenticity, ensuring the film reflected modern family dynamics. 'We do have a male actor who absolutely dresses like a girl and is a boy. His pronouns are he/him,' she emphasizes. The cast features Helen Mirren as the dying matriarch, Timothy Spall as her husband, and Winslet alongside Andrea Riseborough, Toni Collette, and Johnny Flynn as their children, with numerous grandchildren portrayed by young actors.

Winslet's approach to directing was influenced by Mirren's set presence. 'Mum's personality actually lent itself to the project—she really ran a set for actors,' Anders notes, highlighting Winslet's commitment to naturalistic performances through extended takes.

Artistic Evolution for Winslet

Beyond directing, Winslet stars as Julia, a daughter sacrificing her career for family. Though she initially considered stepping away from acting to focus solely on direction, she felt the role resonated deeply. 'I so often play Americans, and actually rarely get to play English,' Winslet reflects, noting how Anders' writing opened new avenues for her craft.

'Goodbye June' represents a milestone for both artists—Winslet's directorial ambitions and Anders' screenwriting debut—forged through shared grief and creative trust. 'We're in this,' Winslet summarizes of their journey, 'and we're hanging onto that—non-negotiable.'