Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster Kate Winslet (Christmas Special)
Dec 17, 2025
Oscar-winning actress and director Kate Winslet brings holiday cheer in a festive discussion. She reminisces about improvising on the set of Eternal Sunshine and moving beyond typecasting. Delving into her directorial debut, Goodbye June, she shares its heartfelt themes of family and loss. Kate reveals her unique techniques with child actors and reflects on holiday traditions, including her family brining turkey and a touching Christmas dinner. With delightful tales of pasta from Titanic fame and loving memories embedded in her dream menu, Kate’s warmth shines through.
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Elephants At Two A.M.
- Kate Winslet describes improvising an entire scene with elephants after Michel Gondry called at 2 a.m. to go to a circus on Fifth Avenue.
- She credits that bold, spontaneous approach as part of what made filming Eternal Sunshine memorable.
Avoid Methods That Hurt Actors
- As a first-time director, Kate Winslet avoided techniques she'd seen that 'fuck people up' and leaned into approaches that help actors.
- She emphasizes observing what works from other directors and discarding harmful methods.
Actor Lessons Shape Directing Style
- Kate learned over 33 years which director behaviours help actors and which harm them, then applied that to her own directing.
- That actor-centered perspective shaped her debut behind the camera.