She is one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading ladies, her on-screen performances earning her multiple awards over 30 years, including an Oscar.
But as these exclusive pictures show, British actress Kate Winslet is taking the lead behind the camera for the first time.
The Titanic star, 49, was seen filming her directorial debut, Goodbye June, on the streets of London alongside an all-star cast including Andrea Riseborough, Toni Collette and Timothy Spall.
The Netflix project is described as a contemporary family drama about ‘fractured siblings who must come together under sudden and trying circumstances’.
And it is certainly a family affair for the actress as her 21-year-old son, Joe Anders, whose father is Bond director Sam Mendes, wrote the screenplay.
But Ms Winslet – who won plaudits for her role as Lee Miller, the model who became a Second World War photographer, in the 2023 biopic Lee – showed she is not ready to turn her back on acting any time soon, also starring in the production.
She was seen in character wearing a cream wool coat, neutral trousers and jumper, on a set which had been designed to look like the outside of a Cheltenham hospital. Later, she scrutinised the footage and wrapped up warmly in a padded jacket to direct her co-stars.
The mother-of-three previously told Elizabeth Day’s podcast, How To Fail, that people in the industry had encouraged her to direct, saying that it could ‘change the culture’ of male-dominated Hollywood.
Kate Winslet pictured in character filming her directorial debut, Goodbye June, on the streets of London alongside an all-star cast
Winslet directing her co-star Toni Collette (right) while wrapped up warmly in a padded jacke
Winslet hugs Timothy Spall on the set of Goodbye June. The Netflix project is described as a contemporary family drama about ‘fractured siblings who must come together under sudden and trying circumstances
‘So many people will say to me on film sets, “Why aren’t you directing?” and I’ll go “no, no, no, please don’t say it. Stop saying it. Why does everyone keep saying it?”,’ Kate said.
‘I know why I haven’t done it: because it’s a very long time, and it’s a huge commitment, and I have always had a family. I had Mia when I was 25 years old and so there’s just no way I would have ever been able to do it.
‘But 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. I’m really starting to feel that.’
Her children have followed her into the industry. Anders starred alongside his mother in Lee, having also appeared in the Oscar-nominated war film 1917, which was directed by his father.
Pictured: Toni Collette on the set carrying a plastic bag and a bouquet of flowers
Winslet behind the director’s camera outside a fake hospital in London signposted as the ‘Princess Mary Cheltenham Hospital’
The mother-of-three previously told Elizabeth Day’s podcast, How To Fail, that people in the industry had encouraged her to direct
Andrea Riseborough is pictured on the set wearing a grey scarf and red woolly hat
Riseborough holding a baby’s carseat as she walks on set
Winslet in character wearing cream trousers and cream sweater
The scene was shot at a fake hospital in London signposted as a facility in Cheltenham
Winslet seen on set alongside her all star cast. The film, described as a ‘touching, humorous drama’ is yet to have a release date
Meanwhile, her daughter Mia Threapleton, 24 – whose father is Kate’s first husband, actor Jim Threapleton – is also making a name for herself as an actress, having won acclaim for her role alongside her mother in the Bafta award-winning domestic drama I Am Ruth.
Winslet also has a younger son, 11-year-old Bear, with her third husband Edward Abel Smith, the nephew of Sir Richard Branson.
Goodbye June, which is described as a ‘touching, humorous drama’, also stars Dame Helen Mirren. It does not yet have a release date.
Meanwhile, Kate is set to reprise her role in the third film in James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, Avatar 3: Fire and Ash, which will be released in December.
