As one of New Zealand's most prominent theatre performers, Chappell made her stage debut in 1991, having appeared in The Merchant of Venice, which led to numerous roles, including Chicago, Hamlet, Design for Living, and The Thirty-Nine Steps.
[25][26] In 2024, it was announced that Chappell would be appearing in a supporting role in the upcoming television film sequel Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, which is set to premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel in 2025.
[28] She also appeared in the Jack Brown Genius in 1996, a film written and produced by Peter Jackson,[29] and the 2009 psychological thriller Coffin Rock, with Robert Taylor and Sam Parsonson.
[32] Early in her career, she appeared in classical theatre productions, including William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice,[2] the musical, Chicago,[2] and Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
[40] Chappell has, more recently, appeared in roles in contemporary works, including Fallen Angels,[41] The Pink Hammer,[42] That Bloody Woman,[43] Bright Star,[44] and Shortland Street – The Musical,[45] and three plays which she wrote and produced – On/Off,[46] Fred,[47] and Bad Day Insurance.
Chappell met Chris Taylor in August 2001 when they both attended her McLeod's Daughters co-star, Rachael Carpani's 21st birthday; they married in December 2001, and divorced in 2005.