"Women directors have to advocate for themselves": Kate Winslet reveals why her directorial debut Goodbye June was really important to her

A still from Goodbye June | Image via Netflix
A still from Goodbye June | Image via Netflix

Goodbye June is a film in the Christmas family drama genre. It's the directorial debut of Kate Winslet, who also stars in the lead role. Winslet has also produced the film with Kate Solomon, while Joe Anders wrote the screenplay. The film was released on Netflix on December 24, 2025, after having a limited theatrical release in the United States and the United Kingdom. Recently, Winslet spoke about why the film was important to her. She said,

"Women directors have to advocate for themselves so fiercely."

So let's get into the details of what Winslet said about the challenges a female director faces.


Kate Winslet talks about making Goodbye June

Goodbye June marks the directorial debut of Kate Winslet, who has also acted in it. In a recent interview with Variety, she spoke about the challenges she faced as a woman director.

“Even hearing you say that I’ve directed a film, I’m almost experiencing the aftershocks. As a woman, making films is hard, even as an actress. Women directors have to advocate for themselves so fiercely. I’ve spent years advocating for others, so suddenly finding myself in that community feels thrilling. I don’t think I ever truly imagined I’d be here.”

Winslet spoke about doing the film at the age of 50.

“Directing is an end-to-end commitment of a year, sometimes more. That’s enormous. But the stars aligned, and in my 50th year, I damn well have to do it — and I loved it.”

In the same interview, Winslet revealed why she stepped in a different direction after being an actor for decades.

“I wanted to disarm the space. To remove the things that pull actors out of themselves.”

Goodbye June is produced under the banner of 55 Jugglers. It’s shot by Alwin H. Küchler, while Lucia Zucchetti is the editor. Ben Harlan has composed the music. Its cast members include:

  • Helen Mirren as June Cheshire
  • Raza Jaffrey as Dr. Simon Khal
  • Kate Winslet as Julia Cheshire
  • Andrea Riseborough as Molly Cheshire
  • Toni Collette as Helen Cheshire
  • Stephen Merchant as Jerry
  • Johnny Flynn as Connor Cheshire
  • Timothy Spall as Bernie Cheshire
  • Fisayo Akinade as Nurse Angeli
  • Jeremy Swift as Dr. David Titford

The film premiered at London's Curzon Mayfair Cinema. It was released in selected theatres in the United States and the United Kingdom. Goodbye June was eventually released on Netflix on December 24, 2025.


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Edited by Ritika Pal