Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Chapelwaite’s Jennifer Ens

Jennifer Ens has quickly established herself as an emerging talent to keep your eye on. In her television debut, Jennifer stars opposite Adrien Brody in EPIX’s Chapelwaite.

Based on Stephen King’s Jerusalem’s Lot, Chapelwaite transports audiences to the 1850s where Captain Charles Boone has relocated his family to his ancestral home in the small, sleepy town of Preacher’s Corner. He’ll soon have to confront the secrets of his family’s history and fight to end the darkness.

Jennifer is a scene-stealer as Honor Boone, Charles’ daughter.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer about Chapelwaite, how she found out she landed the role, and the importance of representation.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting and storytelling?
Jennifer: Ever since I was little, I loved performing. When I was three years old, my mom put me in commercials. I loved it right away. It was natural for me. When I was five, I started dancing. Then I was introduced to playing piano, guitar, violin, and singing. I loved it all. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be an actor or somehow involved in the arts.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jennifer: That’s a great question. I would say one of my dance teachers. She always had my back. She always encouraged me to go for it—to pursue my dreams and always do what I want to do.

PC: You’re one of the stars of Chapelwaite. Tell us about the series, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Jennifer: Chapelwaite is a ten-episode drama based on Jerusalem’s Lot by Stephen King. It’s set in the 1850s. The series follows my character’s father Captain Charles Boone [Adrien Brody]. He relocates his family of three children to Chapelwaite after our mom dies.

What drew me to this project was Stephen King. I’m a massive fan of Stephen King. I also love the storyline. I love the biracial aspect because I’m biracial. I know what it feels like to be looked at like an alien.

This series really hit home for me. It was very personal. To be honest, when I did the audition, I didn’t think I was going to book it. I was so upset. I was like, “I didn’t like my audition. I’m not going to get it.” But a month later I heard that I had gotten it!

PC: How did you celebrate the news that you landed the role?
Jennifer: It’s a really funny story. I was in Bali, Indonesia with my best friend. This was right before COVID hit. We were on this small island and had no service. I woke up to a bunch of calls. Because of the time difference, I was fifteen hours ahead. I woke up to so many different notifications. I was like, “Oh my gosh. What’s happening? Is somebody in trouble?”

It was my agent. She was like, “You got the role!” I was like, “What for?” [laughs] Because I totally thought I had done horribly on it and I had tried to forget it. She’s like, “You got Jerusalem’s Lot.” That’s what it was called at the time.

I was freaking out. My best friend and I were running late for a snorkeling trip. So I was on the boat getting ready for this snorkeling excursion and looking for a hot spot to sign all the contracts. [laughs]

PC: How did you prepare to step into your character’s shoes?
Jennifer: It worked out perfectly. When I found out that I had gotten the role, I was on the island. I was really in touch with the idea of living on an island and embracing my Polynesian heritage, and I was thinking about what it would be like to live on a boat for pretty much your entire life as my character does before she moves to Chapelwaite. I read the short story and there are actually no children in it, so I got to put my own spin on it.

PC: What was it like collaborating with Adrien? Did he share any words of wisdom with you?
Jennifer: Adrien Brody is actually one of my favorite actors. He knows how much I love him and his work. What made me love him even more is that he’s extremely humble and down to earth. He was always willing to help. I was really nervous because it was my first acting job. He always made everyone feel comfortable. He would ask questions to make everybody more comfortable. He’s a very natural actor and everything he does is so specific, detailed, emotional, and amazing. He’s one of the best. He gave me a lot of guidance and advice.

PC: This is your biggest role to date. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Jennifer: I couldn’t have asked for a better first role. This exceeded my expectations. One of the best parts of the experience is that we all became very close. We became a family. That was very helpful.

The biggest takeaway for me is to never doubt yourself because everything happens for a reason. I didn’t really believe in myself at first when I did the audition. I was like, “There is no way I’m going to get it.” You need to believe in yourself.

PC: What can you tease about your character’s arc?
Jennifer: Honor gets pushed emotionally. There’s never a dull moment in Chapelwaite.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jennifer: I love murder documentaries. I don’t know why, but I love them.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Jennifer: Bridesmaids.

PC: Favorite book?
Jennifer: Untethered Soul.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jennifer: A Streetcar Named Desire.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jennifer: I love rap music. I love Pop Smoke.

PC: Dream role?
Jennifer: I would love to be in something like The Place Beyond the Pines.

To keep up with Jennifer, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Chapelwaite on EPIX.