When most people think of Kate Winslet, Titanic is likely the first film that comes to mind. The 1997 blockbuster turned the young British actress into an international sensation, earning her fame and recognition that would last throughout her career. However, in a recent interview, Winslet revealed that despite the film’s incredible impact on her life, she does not consider it her “best” performance. Instead, there’s one role that she holds in higher regard—a performance that holds deep, personal significance.
In a candid conversation with The New York Times, Winslet shared that many people expect Titanic to be her defining moment, but in her view, there’s one role that she feels was more transformative—both as an actress and as an individual. She spoke with humility about how her view of acting has evolved over the years, stating, “Titanic was the film that changed everything for me. It was an extraordinary experience, and I will forever be grateful for it. But the truth is, there’s another role that resonates with me in a way I never expected. It’s the one that really challenged me emotionally and took me to places I didn’t know I could go.”
This revelation sparked a wave of curiosity among her fans and the media alike. Which performance, aside from her iconic role as Rose, could Kate Winslet consider her “best”?
Winslet has had a career full of standout roles in critically acclaimed films, such as her portrayal of the complex and emotionally distant Hanna Schmitz in The Reader, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, and the role of Clementine Kruczynski in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which won her widespread acclaim for playing a character with so many layers of vulnerability and quirkiness. However, Kate herself explained that the performance in question was more than just an artistic achievement—it was an emotional journey.
“The role that I’m talking about made me confront parts of myself that I had been avoiding for a long time,” Winslet shared. “It pushed me to go deeper than I ever have before as an actress. It wasn’t just about playing someone else—it was about understanding myself in a whole new way.”
While she didn’t explicitly name the role in the interview, many speculate that the part Winslet is referring to could be her portrayal of Mare Sheehan in HBO’s Mare of Easttown. In a performance that earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy Award, Winslet portrayed a troubled detective dealing with personal loss, trauma, and complex family dynamics. She has spoken in the past about how emotionally demanding the role was and how deeply it affected her.
“I had never played a character like Mare before. She’s flawed, she’s struggling, and she’s dealing with issues that many people in real life deal with—grief, guilt, and the burden of expectation. It required me to really dig into my own fears and vulnerabilities,” Winslet explained in a separate interview with Variety.
Though Mare of Easttown is certainly a contender for the role that Kate Winslet feels most proud of, it could also be that another lesser-known role has held a deeper significance for her. In an interview for the 20th anniversary of Titanic, Winslet revealed that she chose roles based on the opportunity for personal growth, often selecting characters that challenged her both emotionally and intellectually. Whether it’s her portrayal of a grieving wife in Revolutionary Road or a woman grappling with the moral consequences of her past in The Reader, each role has offered her an opportunity to grow as an artist.
Yet, Mare of Easttown stands out as a particularly transformative role because of its emotional rawness. As Winslet discussed in her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “It felt like the character of Mare was just there, waiting for me to find her. She’s not someone I could ever have imagined playing before. But once I started, I realized how much of her pain resonated with me. It was one of the most challenging, but ultimately rewarding, experiences of my career.”
Kate Winslet has always chosen roles that resonate with her personally, but it’s clear that her career has not been about chasing accolades. Whether it’s working with directors like Michael Haneke or choosing independent films that might not promise box office success, Winslet’s primary focus has been on playing roles that offer depth and complexity.
“I think my best performances are the ones that allow me to explore aspects of my humanity that I’ve either never experienced or never truly understood before,” Winslet explained. “It’s not about awards or recognition—it’s about the connection I feel to the character and how that helps me grow.”
As Kate Winslet continues to evolve as an actress, her fans remain captivated by her willingness to take on challenging roles. While Titanic may always be the film that most people associate with her name, it’s clear that Winslet’s journey as an actress has been defined by much more than one blockbuster hit. Her dedication to exploring complex, emotionally charged roles has set her apart as one of the most respected actresses of her generation.
Though we may never know exactly which role Kate is referring to as her “best,” one thing is certain: whatever that role is, it represents the commitment to her craft and her unwavering pursuit of authenticity as an artist.
About The Author
