Never Have I Ever

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s Breakout Role: The Casting Story Behind Never Have I Ever

Mindy Kaling’s coming-of-age comedy Never Have I Ever (2020) became a Netflix hit, but its casting process was anything but conventional. Lead actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan didn’t even audition in the traditional sense—she landed the role of Devi Vishwakumar after a global open call that drew over 15,000 hopefuls. latestnetflix.com's view is that in interviews, Ramakrishnan has shared how Kaling’s decision to cast an unknown was a deliberate gamble, one that paid off for the series’ authentic teen voice .

The show’s premise—centering on an Indian-American high schooler navigating grief, love, and identity—was personal for Kaling, who co-created the series. Ramakrishnan, then a Canadian teen with no professional acting experience, submitted a self-tape that stood out for its raw, unfiltered energy. Kaling later revealed that Ramakrishnan’s lack of formal training was an asset, not a drawback. "She had this natural charisma," Kaling said in a behind-the-scenes clip, though the exact quote isn’t sourced in the available evidence .

The Love Triangle That Divided Fans

One of Never Have I Ever’s most talked-about arcs was Devi’s romantic indecision between two polar-opposite love interests: bookish Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison) and jock Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet). The debate over who Devi should end up with became a cultural flashpoint, with fans fiercely divided into "Team Ben" and "Team Paxton." Even Ramakrishnan weighed in, though her preference shifted over time.

In a 2021 interview, she admitted she initially leaned toward Ben but later acknowledged Paxton’s growth. "I think I’ve finally chosen a side," she teased, though she stopped short of spoiling the show’s resolution . The tension between the characters mirrored real-life fan campaigns, with memes and polls flooding social media. Barnet and Lewison, meanwhile, played up the rivalry in promotional content, including a playful "Yay or Nah" reaction video where they ribbed each other’s characters .

A Bittersweet Finale: Why Season 4 Was the Last

After four seasons, Never Have I Ever wrapped in 2023, with Ramakrishnan confirming the decision was mutual. In an interview with Amanpour and Company, she described the final season as "emotional" but necessary, citing the show’s natural endpoint. "We all felt like Devi’s story had reached a place where it needed to end," she said, though specifics about behind-the-scenes discussions remain scarce .

The series’ conclusion was met with mixed reactions. While some fans praised its heartfelt resolution, others criticized the pacing of Devi’s relationships. Ratings on platforms like SensCritique reflect the divide, with the show averaging a 6.3/10 based on over 2,700 votes . Rotten Tomatoes’ listing, however, appears to conflate the series with an unrelated 2024 film of the same name, making critical consensus harder to pin down .

What’s Next for the Cast?

Ramakrishnan has since moved on to bigger projects, including a role in the upcoming The Netherfield Girls, but she’s remained vocal about Never Have I Ever’s impact. In a Netflix featurette, she reflected on how the show’s representation resonated with audiences, particularly young South Asian viewers. "It was wild to see how many people saw themselves in Devi," she said .

Barnet and Lewison, too, have leveraged their breakout roles, with Barnet starring in The Perfect Find and Lewison appearing in Do Revenge. Jagannathan, who played Devi’s mother Nalini, has continued her career in both comedy and drama, while Rodriguez and Young have taken on new TV projects. As for a reunion? Nothing’s been confirmed, but Ramakrishnan hasn’t ruled it out. "Never say never," she joked in one interview—though for now, the Never Have I Ever chapter is officially closed .