~ Well, when I met my husband, I knew that I wanted to pay full attention to this relationship. I had not enjoyed acting for a lot of my twenties and wanted to step away and see how that felt; to see if the desire to act would return in full.
So as soon as my commitments exhausted themselves (Possession and Design For Living) I took that time.
Three years later, I was curious to see how it would feel to act again and it was fine. I liked it, but still wasn’t sure.
Now, four-and-some years on from ‘walking away,’ I am really enjoying it and have not felt this unambivalent about working for at least a decade. It’s fun being an actress. Who knew?
How much influence did your parents have on you in your choice of acting as a career? How much has your mother influenced you particularly in your career as a stage actress?
~ While most kids may be asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” — the question always put to me was, “Are you going to be an actress or a writer?” — and I really never did consider anything else as a possibility. Having grown up with parents in these quite bohemian, joyous, autonomous careers, I do not see why I would ever have looked much further.
How did you prepare for the role of Tracy Lord? She seems very over-the-top compared to your previous roles that are far more understated. Have you had a chance to see the film and if not do you plan to see it?
~ Still haven't seen the Grant/Hepburn movie. I’m sure I will one day.
The most important question any North Carolina native should answer:
which do you prefer - Eastern or Western North Carolina barbecue and why?
~ I don’t know! I don’t know! Oh, help. I would imagine I have never even had Eastern. Have not had a lot of BBQ, because my Mother is involved in reforming the way pigs are farmed so we avoid factory-farmed pork as a rule. But did I mention her cheese grits?
Article comments
1 - Jennite
Thought some of you might be interested in what Jennifer Ehle has been up to. It's a big year for her - her star's rising!
Firstly, she's doing Macbeth with Liev Schreiber for Shakespeare in the Park in NYC. It's running from June 13th to July 9th. More info at the Public Theatre site.
Secondly, she's finished two biggish films. One is Michael Clayton with George Clooney and directed by Tony Gilroy of the Bourne films. That's a legal thriller and she's playing Clooney's lover. It's in post-production now and should be released sometime this year. The other film is Pride and Glory, a drama about a family of cops, also starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell. Filming is coming to an end at the moment and should be released in 2007. She also finished an Indian movie earlier this year called Road to the Sky or Kerala, which is directed by Santosh Sivan.
On the DVD front, The Camomile Lawn is out in the US, and in the UK Melissa and The River King are due. There is also a collector's edition of Pride and Prejudice coming out in September.
Have a look at
themy Jennifer Ehle blog to keep up with her news.2 - Jennite
And another update: Alpha Male is out in UK cinemas on August 11th 2006. From October 2006 til March 2007 Jennifer Ehle will be in Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia trilogy at the Lincoln Center Theater.
3 - DENNIS PROBYN
JENNIFER EHLE IS JUST ABOUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. HER PERFORMANCE IN 'PRIDE AND PREJUDICE' ALWAYS TAKES MY BREATHE AWAYAND I AM TOTALLY ADDICTED TO HER LOVELY FACE
4 - zen
Jennifer Ehle is a very talented actress. She has that ability to create life in the character that she portrays amazingly natural and believable. They could not do another Pride and Prejudice better than the 1995 BBC/A&E Production.They have the best group of people in that production.
5 - LTC
These few (excellent) questions are part of a much larger collection of queries, which are available for download (pdf) here -- overall, more than a hundred web-fan-submitted questions were answered personally by Ms. Ehle, who is made of AWESOME!
6 - Eckhart Richter
I am absolutely smitten with Jennifer Ehle's masterful portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett, which I've been watching again on a PBS rerun of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. She captures every nuance of mood revealed by that irresistible young lady. Her face is as beautiful and heart-rending when expressing annoyance or anger as when it radiates the sunshine of her heavenly smile. I could watch this film over and over again just to indulge my own fantasies.
Eckhart Richter
7 - Cindy Subach
I agree that Jennifer Ehle is a very talented
actress. I am enjoying so much the 2nd showing of Pride and Prejudice on Public Television.
Ms. Ehle's performance as a actress is so memorable I could watch this three part series of
the Jane Austen Chronicles over and over.
8 - Scott Jones
Wouldn't we all like to find a Lizzy of our own. Her portrayal of E. B. in 'Pride & Prejudice' is indeed irrestible. Every moment of hers on screen is radiated with the candidicy of a wide ranging personality fully influenced by a truly impressive character. This kind of natural human beauty will never go out of style. Very, very well communicated Ms. Ehle.
9 - krum
Jennifer ehle is so amazing. Her performance in pride and prejuidice is so remarkable. i watch it all the time and everytime it creates something new for me.
it's really one of the best series that has ever been on t.v
10 - Zen
I have watched P&P a thousand times and I never get tired of it. BBC's adaptation of P&P is trully the best. The group of actors involved in the production has captured the true essence of the book and the beauty of Jane Austen's writing. I also love to read sequels of the book written by other authors and the only faces I see in the book are those of Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.How I wish they could do another movie together.
11 - Barbara A. Kidder
Jennifer Ehle was perfectly cast for Elizabeth Bennett! She conveyed so much of her character through non-verbal means. However, it was a huge role and she is seldom credited with the enormous energy and effort that she had to have put into preparing for and playing the part! She was in virtually every scene and her performance was wonderful! She was truly the star of the production; albeit, Colin Firth was her ideal leading man!
12 - Reina D'souza
From the time I've been gifted the P&P CD by my friend, I've thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Each time I watch it I go crazy watching Jennifer Ehle, she's such an amazing actress, every reaction is just so..so..perfect. I wish her all the very best. I keep watching it over and over again and never tire. All the characters have done an excellent job. God knows how many more times I am going to watch it..but watch it I will.
13 - Jennifer Panthaki
After watching Jennifer Ehle's performance in pride and prejudice, she has become my most favourite actress of all times.
She is a classic beauty with an amazingly beautiful face and mesmerizing eyes.
I watch pride and prejudice every few days and cant seem to get enough of it.
14 - gerald davies
jennifer ehle wonderful actress beautiful woman
15 - Alina
She is an amazing actress. it's sad that we don't get to watch her more often, I would love to see her in theatre, but NYC is a bit too far away from me.