Three BFFs growing up together in Southern California star in the new Netflix series Never Have I Ever which began streaming today on Netflix.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan plays the overachieving Devi in a character based on creator Mindy Kaling’s childhood. Actresses Lee Rodriguez (Fabiola) and Ramona Young (Eleanor) round out the diverse trio of high school girls nicknamed the U.N. in the show.
Some 15,000 people tried out for the part of Devi.
“It’s still so surreal to me. It’s crazy to think like so many people around the world wanted to be a part of this,” Ramakrishnan told Variety about her first role ever. “And it’s a nice feeling to know that.”’
Born to parents from Sri Lanka, Ramakrishnan grew up in Canada and was raised in Mississauga in Ontario. She says she can relate to Kaling’s journey as a young girl to find out who she is.
“Sometimes you feel like you’re an outsider, but you’re on the inside. That’s a story a lot of people can relate to,” she said.
Young agrees.
“Not only is it relatable because of the way we look and the cast and how diverse it is, it’s also relatable in the issues that we go through,” Young said to The Hollywood Reporter. “We all go through very different journeys in this story.”
“I think people will like the representation, the friendship, the love, the comedy,” Rodriguez added.
The Chicago Sun Times compares the show to The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles (We’re assuming without the racist character of Long Duk Dong).
The hot tempered 1980’s tennis star John McEnroe narrates the series. That may be appropriate since Devi has anger issues. Her father died of a heart attack and she’s trying to deal with the emotional baggage that comes with losing a dad at a young age.
The Sun Times called the program one of the best of the year.
Never Have I Ever is scheduled for a ten show season.
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