Inspiring Director Kate Winslet Opens Up About Reluctance to Star in ‘Goodbye June’

By:Becky Cross

Netflix slid “Goodbye June” into the holiday lineup, but don’t expect twinkly lights and sugar cookies. This one’s raw. Directed by Kate Winslet—her first time calling the shots—the film follows June, a matriarch who decides to choreograph her own decline with wit and bite. It’s messy, it’s funny in dark corners, and it’s very Winslet.

“Do I Really Have to Act Too?”

Winslet wasn’t exactly thrilled about starring. She was already producing, then suddenly directing, and the thought of acting on top of that felt like juggling knives. She even tried to recast herself. “I know I’m good at multitasking, but this is too many things,” she admitted. But the script was written by her son Joe Anders, and once they shaped it together, she realized it was too personal to hand off. Sometimes the story drags you back in whether you want it or not.

Climbing the Mountain with No Map

Directing while acting meant long days, tight budgets, and calling in favors. Winslet described finishing the film as “climbing a mountain,” and you can feel that grit in the final cut. She had to protect the script’s integrity while also delivering a performance that didn’t feel phoned‑in. Exhaustion aside, she proved she could juggle actor, director, and producer without losing the heartbeat of the film.

Why Her Reluctance Matters

“Goodbye June” | Official Trailer | Netflix

Here’s the thing: “Goodbye June” isn’t just another holiday drama. It’s a turning point. Winslet’s hesitation makes her more relatable—because even icons wrestle with doubt when the stakes are personal. Her honesty about nearly walking away makes the film bigger than the screen. It’s about risk, resilience, and saying yes even when you’re scared stiff.

The Takeaway for Us

Kate Winslet’s journey with “Goodbye June” is proof that reluctance doesn’t cancel courage. Sometimes the hardest roles end up being the ones worth keeping. And maybe that’s the real holiday message tucked inside: you don’t have to be fearless, you just have to keep showing up.

Becky writes from the red dirt crossroads of folk tradition and modern life. She’s a beekeeper, an archivist of handed-down remedies, and a self-proclaimed floral archeologist. Her work brings a grounded voice to astrology, wanderlust to travel, and celebrations with soul. She honors seasonal rhythms, old ways, and the everyday rituals that keep us rooted.