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‘Greenleaf’ star Jennifer Sears breaks down hit show’s family dynamics
Jennifer Sears has put a charge into “Greenleaf,” the OWN drama series about a family-owned Southern megachurch. Sears — who joins the show in its fifth and final season — plays Tara, the sister of Rochelle Cross (LeToya Luckett). She will impact the family’s ultimate fate when a long-buried secret is revealed. The veteran actress, …
Jennifer Sears has put a charge into “Greenleaf,” the OWN drama series about a family-owned Southern megachurch.
Sears — who joins the show in its fifth and final season — plays Tara, the sister of Rochelle Cross (LeToya Luckett). She will impact the family’s ultimate fate when a long-buried secret is revealed.
The veteran actress, who was raised in Paterson, NJ, made her debut in “Madea’s Family Reunion” and has also appeared in “Bessie,” “The Best of Enemies” and “Daytime Divas.” She also will co-star later this year opposite Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in the big-screen sequel “Coming to America 2.”
Sears, 38, talked to The Post about her role in “Greenleaf” and her acting journey.
How would you describe Tara, and how will she affect the final season of “Greenleaf”?
Tara is a humble young woman whose primary focus is to serve God through her mission ministry, New Revelations, where she tends to the needs of the down-trodden and outcasts of the community. She’s the polar opposite of her fiery, fashionable sister Rochelle and her smooth-talking, audacious brother Basie, in the sense that she’s not at all flamboyant and much more meek. In this final season, Tara brings her family’s past to the Greenleaf’s doorstep… literally. In her search for the truth of what really happened to her father Darryl James, Jacob seems to join Tara on her quest to unearth buried secrets.
Were you familiar with the series before you landed the role?
I was already a fan of the series, but I definitely did some deep-dive binging to accumulate all of the facts from earlier seasons as preparation so that I could add the “flesh and blood” to the bones of Tara James by studying her siblings. My goal was to make her introduction to the storyline as seamless as possible.
What is it about “Greenleaf” that you think resonates with viewers?
I think, because the viewers have shared in the many highs and lows of the Greenleaf family individually and as a whole throughout the seasons, viewers have embraced them as their own family, flaws and all. The Greenleafs are very relatable, maybe not so much with their estate staff (haha), but in challenging times, their frail humanity shines through the cracks of their polished and proper semblance of perfection. It is in these moments, the audience sees that they’re just like them… a loving family that goes through ups and downs like everyone else. Divorce, loss, abuse, etc…. these are some serious life challenges that many have faced or are facing, and the Greenleafs overcoming them through the foundation of faith and love gives hope to those in need of assurance.
What are your interests outside of the acting arena?
I like to take things slow. I’m a bit of a homebody. Give me a good book, a cup of hot tea, and a candle and I’m one happy camper. I also like to meditate and practice yoga daily. Even in my down-time, I try to always create space and opportunity to serve in the Atlanta community, particularly providing food and supplies to the homeless as well as participating in mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk youth. I typically travel to Haiti during the summer (taking a break this year, of course) with the non-profit organization Restore Haiti to rebuild the communities of Jacmel and Carrefour and to visit the precious children I’ve sponsored for the past 7 years through the RH sponsoring program. I’m overwhelmed by how much love I receive from them. Over the years, I’ve gone from “sponsor” to being affectionately called “god-mom”. I guess now that I think about it, my life and that of Tara James aren’t so different. Perhaps my Greenleaf role is evidence of yet another “bread crumb” in my life’s journey.
