Kate Winslet Recalls Robert Downey’s “Dreadful” Audition For ‘The Holiday’

During a recent appearance on ‘The Tonight Show,’ Kate Winslet reminisced about Robert Downey Jr.’s audition for ‘The Holiday,’ describing it as “dreadful” and shedding light on the amusing behind-the-scenes dynamics.

Winslet, who starred alongside Cameron Diaz in the romantic comedy, shared her vivid recollections of Downey Jr.’s audition, revealing that she thought it was just a casual script reading rather than a formal audition for the role eventually given to Jude Law.

She recounted, “Robert Downey Jr. then did an English accent but I thought it was an Australian accent. I thought, ‘That’s bad. That’s not going to work. Who is going to tell him that sounds dreadful?’”

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Downey Jr. himself revealed last year that Winslet had jokingly roasted him for his subpar British accent during the audition.

Reflecting on the audition experience during an interview on ‘The Howard Stern Show,’ Downey Jr. shared insights into the camaraderie between him and co-star Jimmy Fallon, noting that they both sensed Law was the frontrunner for the role. He recalled Winslet’s candid feedback, quipping, “And Winslet said, ‘That is the worst British accent I’ve ever heard.’”

‘The Holiday,’ a beloved Christmas film, has become a seasonal tradition for many fans since its release. Directed by Nancy Meyers, the romantic comedy follows the intertwining lives of two lovelorn women, portrayed by Winslet and Diaz, who swap homes for the holiday season. While Diaz’s character finds romance with Law’s book editor, Winslet’s character embarks on a heartwarming journey with Jack Black’s film composer.

Despite Downey Jr.’s memorable audition, ‘The Holiday’ went on to achieve commercial success, earning $205 million worldwide against a budget of $85 million and has retained its charm as a festive favourite among audiences.