Kate Winslet reflects on one of the joys of her career, getting the chance to work with her own children.
The actress, 50, opened up about the experience while speaking to PEOPLE at the Goodbye June NYC special on Dec. 8, where she shares how much she’s learned from watching her children step into their creative paths.
Winslet, who appeared alongside daughter Mia Threapleton, 25, and son Joe Anders, 21, in the 2021 drama I’m Ruthalso teamed up with Joe again for goodbye June.
The project marks her directorial debut and Joe wrote the screenplay.
For her, the biggest takeaway has been discovering who her children are both on and off.
“I think what I’ve honestly learned about my kids is that they’re just such good people,” she said, noting that Mia and Joe, who she shares with ex-husband Sam Mendes, don’t realize how talented they are.
She added that they both remain grounded and focused on the work itself. Winslet also shares her youngest son, Bear Blaze, 12, with husband Edward Abel Smith.
Describing her children as “very humble,” she explained that they have grown up hearing her stories from the stage, lessons she learned, moments that shaped her, and insights passed down by other actors and filmmakers.
Seeing that influence show in their own work ethic has made her even more proud.
According to Winslet, Mia and Joe understand the importance of collaboration simply because “it’s all they’ve ever witnessed in my working life.”
Seeing them embrace that mindset gives her confidence in their future.
“So I’m just excited for them, really, for what’s to come because they can pull it off,” she said.
The actress also recently praised Joe’s involvement in goodbye Juneexplains on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she chose to direct the film to protect the heart of his story.
She recalled telling him she wanted to direct because giving a script to a director means “it’s going to be theirs,” and she wasn’t ready for that.
Instead, she wanted him to “experience seeing this beautiful thing that he had created come to life.”
Working next to him every day, she said, was “just amazing,” especially because he “happens to be very, very smart about film.”
Winslet’s reflections highlight not only her admiration for her children’s burgeoning careers, but also her belief that they are entering the industry as grounded, capable and, above all, “good people.”
