Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet has opened up about the profound and unexpected connection she shares with fans of the beloved Christmas film, The Holiday, revealing it holds a special place in her heart that even eclipses her global fame from Titanic.
A Cherished Christmas Ritual
The 50-year-old star explained that she is consistently moved by encounters with mothers and daughters who have built annual traditions around the iconic movie. Winslet described how these fans often approach her in everyday settings, like the grocery store, to share their personal rituals. "What's so lovely is that mothers and daughters come up to me... and they say, 'Oh, Kate, we just love The Holiday, it's our little ritual at Christmas,'" she shared. "They have things that they eat every year. They sit down to watch it. It's a tradition and I just love that."
Surprisingly, she noted that fans are more likely to talk to her about The Holiday or her guest appearance in Ricky Gervais's series Extras than about the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, which launched her into international stardom at the age of 22.
From Titanic Fear to Directorial Debut
Reflecting on her sudden fame from Titanic, Winslet confessed on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Day podcast that it was a "really rough introduction to what it was like to be famous." She recalled, "I remember thinking, 'I do not want to be famous. This is terrible. This is absolutely awful.'" In the aftermath, she actively sought smaller projects to find her footing as a performer, prioritising artistic growth over large financial rewards.
This thoughtful approach to her career now leads to a significant new milestone. Next month, Kate Winslet will celebrate her directorial debut with the release of a brand new Netflix Christmas film, Goodbye June.
Looking Forward: Goodbye June
The upcoming Netflix movie boasts a phenomenal cast including Toni Collette, Timothy Spall, and Helen Mirren. The plot follows four adult siblings who are thrust into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics while supporting their mother, June, through a period of declining health. Netflix explains that the quick-witted mother "orchestrates her decline on her own terms - with biting humour, blunt honesty, and a lot of love." The recently released trailer has already garnered an emotional response from fans online.
As for a potential sequel to the 2006 classic The Holiday, which grossed over £150 million worldwide and starred Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black, Winslet has firmly put rumours to rest. She confirmed that no discussions have taken place, a statement echoed by the film's writer and director, Nancy Meyers, on Instagram.
Winslet believes the enduring appeal of The Holiday lies in its realistic portrayal of heartbreak and the universal search for love. "It's about men and women's struggle with their emotions and heartbreak and looking for The One," she stated. "Trying to find that person is something that will always be fascinating to audiences."
