Exclusive Interview: Jordan Elsass Chats About the Shocking Finale of Little Fires Everywhere

Young Hollywood’s Jordan Elsass is heating up the screen in his breakout role as Trip Richardson on Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere. Based on the bestselling novel by Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere is a gripping drama that follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. It’s a story that delves into motherhood, classism, and race dynamics in the American suburbs in the late ’90s.

Jordan’s character, Trip, is the boy next door and all-American jock who develops feelings for the new girl Pearl Warren, complicating his relationship with his brother Moody, who’s already confessed his fondness for Pearl. As the limited series came to its epic conclusion, secrets were revealed, fires were set, and lives were changed forever.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Jordan to chat about the explosive finale and where we can see him next!

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Jordan: It’s actually a funny story. I started acting when I was eleven years old. I didn’t know I was passionate about it until I around fourteen or fifteen. I started doing theater because my mom wanted me to try new things. She found this local theater in Georgetown, which is in Texas, where I lived. It was called the Palace Theatre.

She eventually found this ad for a show that was having open auditions. She didn’t force me to audition, but she did promise more video game time. [laughs] So I was like, “Okay. Sweet.” I went in and auditioned, and I remember I cried after. I broke down into tears because I screwed up a line in my monologue.

If I did that now, I’d just move on and continue. They always tell you, “Don’t say sorry. Don’t stop. Just take a beat and continue your audition.” That’s what I do now, but back then, I had no idea. I kept going, but then I immediately bawled my eyes out after the audition. I continued to do theater for about three years after that, and it was good practice for what lied ahead.

Once I started getting into film and TV, I got with an agent here in Texas, who I’m still with. That’s when I started to realize that it was my passion and I really wanted to make a career out of it. I didn’t realize it was a possibility until I booked Little Fires Everywhere, maybe a year or two after that. But I started in theater and I liked it. It was more of a hobby back then, but when I got into film and TV, that’s when I discovered, man, this is what I want to do.

PC: Let’s chat about the explosive finale of Little Fires Everywhere. The season has been building to the confrontation between Elena [Reese Witherspoon] and Izzy [Megan Stott], which all the Richardson kids witness. How does that change Trip’s perspective of his mother?
Jordan: It changes it wildly. Trip was already getting to the point where he was like, “What’s up with my mom?” She’s been super wacky recently, but he wasn’t really cognizant of it. He didn’t notice until this confrontation goes down between Elena and Izzy.

He has already seen his mom become a bit unraveled as Bill Richardson [Joshua Jackson] would say. But this completely warped his perception of his mom. He’s blown away. She’s never said anything like this before. She wouldn’t say this to Trip and Lexie [Jade Pettyjohn]. She’s always picked on and been harder on Izzy than the other kids. They’ve gotten into little fights, but Trip has never seen her completely flip and say something so audacious.

Photo Credit: Hulu

PC: Throughout the season, we see this beautiful relationship form between Trip and Pearl [Lexi Underwood], and for the first time it feels like someone is seeing Trip for who he really is. How does the discovery that Pearl has left Shaker affect him in the present and then for the future?
Jordan: He’s in shock. The moment that he finds out she’s left is right before the fire when the huge fight between Izzy and Elena is happening. Being who Trip is, he’s more focused on Mia [Kerry Washington] and Pearl leaving than he is about the fight between his mom and Izzy, at least at first.

He’s like, “Oh my gosh. They’re gone. They’re gone.” But as things escalate, his mind is taken away from that, and he moves on to the more pressing matter of what’s unfolding right in front of him. But as far as the future, I think that Trip is going to be really, really sad. It’s a huge loss for him because he’s never experienced a relationship like that before.

Trip’s never ever been with a girl seriously. He’s never really cared for a girl or wanted to pursue a serious romantic relationship—that is, until he meets Pearl. So that’s a big, big loss. I think he’s going to be really devastated for a while, and he’s going to wonder if he’s ever going to feel that way again.

PC: That relationship causes a rift between him and his brother Moody [Gavin Lewis]. There isn’t a real resolution in episode 8 between them. How do you think Trip would have explained his actions?
Jordan: Trip would explain it like how Izzy does. Izzy tells Moody, “She never belonged to you.” I would love to say that Trip would have said that, but honestly, I don’t think Trip would have had that thought process. I don’t know if he’s quite intelligent enough to come up with that. I think instead, he would apologize. He would say, “Hey, I’m really sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner. That’s my bad. I should have told you as soon as things started going down, but I was scared to tell you.” Trip would argue his point of view and that he really cares for Pearl.

PC: This is a breakout role for you. What’s been the biggest takeaway from this experience? What will you remember the most?
Jordan: I will remember the incredible professionalism and the fun that I had on set. I didn’t think it was possible to have that much fun at work. Don’t get me wrong, it can be stressful. There’s a lot of pressure. This is a big job. It takes a lot out of you, and it can be a huge mental strain. But it is so much fun, and it was so gratifying. I can’t tell you the amount of fun that we had on set.

It’s unlike anything I have ever experienced. I’ll take away this whole experience from beginning to end. It feels like something that I’ve won. How lucky am I to be able to work with these incredible actors and tell this amazing story? Every moment on this journey was something to take away.

PC: While Little Fires Everywhere is intended to be a limited series, there are possibilities for continuing the story. Have there been any early conversations about a possible Season 2? If the series is picked up, where would you like to see Trip’s storyline head?
Jordan: I would love to tell you that I have heard rumors, but I haven’t. [laughs] I have no clue, no idea whatsoever. I’d be very happy if we did a Season 2. I’m sure we all would be. But I can’t say that there will be a Season 2. It is a limited series. I’m sure it would take some time to figure out that story. But I’d like to see Trip in college. That would be really cool. It’d be cool to see him grow up a bit, and I’d like to see him reconnect with Pearl.

A lot of us want to see that storyline between them continue. But at the same time, there are a lot of people that want to see Moody and Pearl together. So who knows what would happen there? Like you said earlier, we don’t get to see the resolution between Moody and Trip. We see them team up and make a huge decision, but that’s something I’d like to explore. I want to see where Trip’s relationships with his family and Pearl go.

Photo Credit: Hulu

PC: You’re also going to be starring in the upcoming Superman and Lois. What’s the biggest lesson you learned on this set that you’ll bring over to Superman and Lois?
Jordan: Be kind to everyone. Be open to exploring new ideas and perspectives. There are times when someone will bring an idea to the table and you won’t see the vision. But then you try it and magic happens! I never experienced this because I’ve never worked on a project for more than a month or two. I’ve never worked on something for six-plus months.

To get the opportunity to do that, you grow and bond with people in a way unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced. It’s been incredible. I’m looking forward to being able to make those connections and hopefully, spend multiple years working on Superman and Lois. That will likely be more than six months, and I’m looking forward to it.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show or movie?
Jordan: Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It’s a classic. You can’t beat Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

PC: Favorite book?
Jordan: Harry Potter

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jordan: Hamilton! No, wait—Dear Evan Hansen.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jordan: Muddy Waters! I listen to a lot of blues.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jordan: Let’s go with Chase Brosamle. He played young Trip.

To keep up with Jordan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu today.

Photo Credit: Billy Small