Mindy Kaling's Netflix project has four seasons, and the Never Have I Ever cast features a dazzling mix of seasoned talent and newcomers. The coming-of-age comedy is co-created by Kaling and Lang Fisher, who co-wrote episodes of The Mindy Project. The series is inspired by Kaling's upbringing and struggles as a first-generation Indian American. Young Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is at the front and center, and she's surrounded by an array of talent.
Never Have I Ever focuses on a teenage Indian American girl who tries to live with her family in southern California. Not only does she deal with the trials and tribulations of being a typical high schooler, but she also has to abide by the cultural norms that her family follows. After suffering a great loss, she throws herself into winning over the most popular guy in school even if it means lying to her loved ones in the process. Ramakrishnan shines as Never Have I Ever's primary character who is loosely based on Kaling. Though the series includes a handful of fresh faces, there will be several that viewers will recognize, many from Kaling's previous work.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan As Devi Vishwakumar
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan stars as Devi Vishwakumar, the relatable central character of Never Have I Ever. Devi is a first-generation Indian American teen who lives in San Fernando Valley. When the series begins, she's a sophomore at the top of her class, but she also has high aspirations of becoming popular while entering a new school year. Over the course of the series, popularity isn't always her goal, but finding a connection with one of her many crushes is.
During her journey, Devi is also forced to deal with new changes following the death of her father and how to handle romantic relationships. The Netflix series serves as Ramakrishnan's breakout role after she was cast by Kaling out of 15,000 candidates. Ramakrishnan has since gone on to voice Priya in Pixar's Turning Red and Zipp Storm in My Little Pony.
Darren Barnet As Paxton Hall-Yoshida
Darren Barnet plays Paxton Hall-Yoshida, the high school heartthrob and Devi's primary love interest. Initially, Devi believes him to be little more than a pretty face with a cool reputation, but she learns more about him as they have a tutoring arrangement before dating. Misunderstandings and lies drive the two of them apart repeatedly in the series, but they gradually become genuine friends as Paxton begins to understand that he's treated young women unfairly in the past, and his friends begin to learn about some of his difficulties as well.
Paxton has one of the best character arcs as he strives to be taken seriously in school and go to college instead of coasting on his good looks. Barnet previously appeared in single episodes of This Is Us, Criminal Minds, and S.W.A.T. before earning a multi-episode arc on Turnt. Since joining the Never Have I Ever cast, Barnet has also appeared in the Netflix movie Love Hard and voiced characters for Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles.
Jaren Lewison As Ben Gross
Jaren Lewison portrays Ben Gross, Devi's academic arch-nemesis. After attending the same school for years, the two constantly try to outdo one another. Ben puts constant pressure on himself to be the best. While Devi focuses her energy on Paxton in the first season, she repeatedly finds herself drawn to Ben. She even attempts to date both Ben and Paxton at the same time, which blows up in her face.
Like Devi and Paxton, Devi and Ben also become genuine friends throughout the series. Lewison got his start in the entertainment industry in children's programming like Barney & Friends. He can be seen in the Fox series Lone Star, and he played the young version of Ed Helms' character in the prologue of the 2018 comedy, Tag.
Ramona Young As Eleanor Wong
Ramona Young plays one of Devi's two closest friends, Eleanor, the president of the drama club and an aspiring actor. When Devi has a problem she needs to talk out with her friends, Eleanor is the more emotional sounding board. Eleanor also has her own story arcs among the Never Have I Ever cast including dealing with her estranged mother. Young is known for her television work in Man Seeking Woman, The Real O'Neals, Z Nation, and Santa Clarita Diet. She is one of the three young leads in 2018's Blockers and had a regular role in DC's Legend Of Tomorrow.
Lee Rodriguez As Fabiola Torres
Lee Rodriguez plays Devi's other close friend, Fabiola. Fabiola is the captain of the robotics team who is struggling with her sexuality. She eventually comes out to her friends, her classmates, and her family, all with good results. She also struggles to balance her social life with the robotics club once she begins dating, which is really her first love. Fabiuola is the more practical of Devi's friends. Rodriguez's most notable work outside of the show includes Grown-ish and Class of Lies.
Poorna Jagannathan As Nalini Vishwakumar
Poorna Jagannathan is Nalini Vishwakumar, a dermatologist and Devi's controlling mother who just became a widow. Nalini just wants what's best for her daughter but can be too hard on her at times. She eventually tries to loosen her hold on Devi when she realizes her daughter is pulling away. Jagannathan is best recognized for roles in House of Cards, The Night Of, Better Call Saul, and Big Little Lies. She also co-stars in the AppleTV+ mini-series Defending Jacob and appears in the John Green adaptation Turtles All The Way Down.
Richa Moorjani As Kamala
Richa Moorjani is Kamala, Devi's cousin from India that is studying to be a biologist at Caltech. Kamala, like Devi, represents the clash of the old and the new among the Never Have I Ever cast of characters. Initially, she's hiding a secret boyfriend, then in an arranged relationship, but realizes neither of the men is right for her. Kamala has dreams of making scientific breakthroughs, and she wants a partner who will support her work. Moorjani appeared in The Mindy Project, NCIS: Los Angeles, and 9-1-1. She has also lent her voice to popular videogame series like Uncharted and Fallout, and she appears in the Fargo TV series adaptation.
Niecy Nash As Dr. Ryan
Niecy Nash is Dr. Ryan, Devi's therapist who is trying to help her through the loss of her father and struggles in her social life. Dr. Ryan does her best to listen to Devi's troubles and offer a new perspective without pushing Devi in one direction or another. Nash's most popular roles came from Reno 911!, The Mindy Project, Getting On, The Soul Man, Scream Queens, When They See Us, and Claws. She is also one of the stars of The Rookie: Feds.
Never Have I Ever Supporting Cast
Sendhil Ramamurthy is Mohan Venkatesan: Devi's caring father who sadly passed away prior to the events of the series. Ramamurthy is a recurring Never Have I Ever cast member as Devi frequently has flashbacks to moments with her father or imagines conversations with him. Ramamurthy is known for appearing in Heroes, Covert Affairs, The Flash, as well as The Office alongside Kaling. He has also lent his voice to numerous animated series, like DC's Superhero Girls, Cleopatra In Space, and Vox Machina.
John McEnroe is the Narrator: The professional, and often confrontational, tennis player serves as the narrator of Never Have I Ever for the majority of the series. A few episodes have different narrators when the story is told from another character's point of view. McEnroe finished his tennis career with a record-setting 77 singles and 78 doubles titles, and his friendship with Björn Borg was dramatized in Borg vs. McEnroe.
Ranjita Chakravarty is Nirmala: Nirmala is Devi’s grandmother who comes to stay with the family in California, making the move from India. She wants to help her daughter-in-law with both her granddaughter and Kamala. She provides an examination of some of the clashing ideas of Devi’s modern California upbringing and her roots in India. Ranjita Chakravarty didn’t start her acting career until 2006 and most of her work in the entertainment industry has been in short films until Never Have I Ever.
Utkarsh Ambudkar as Manish Kulkarni: Manish Kulkarnia is one of Devi’s favorite teachers because he understands her cultural background, and he strives to make his classes entertaining. He’s also one of Kamala’s love interests in the series. Ambudkar is a musician, writer, and actor that fans will likely recognize from his roles in Pitch Perfect and Ghosts. He’s also the creative mind behind the Disney+ original movie World’s Best, having co-written the script and the music, produced the movie, and starred in it.
Megan Suri as Aneesa: Aneesa joins the Never Have I Ever cast in Season 2 as a new student in school. At first, Devi is excited to have an Indian-American classmate that can become her friend, but their relationship is rocky for a while. Before joining the cast of Never Have I Ever, Suri appeared in many other television projects like How To Get Away With Murder and Atypical. Since appearing in Never Have I Ever, she’s also been in the social media mystery Missing and the Peacock series Poker Face.
Benjamin Norris as Trent: Trent is Paxton’s best friend who is always good for a memorable quote. While he’s largely in the series for comedic effect, he becomes a larger presence in the Never Have I Ever cast when he becomes interested in Eleanor. Norris produce, wrote, and starred in short films early in his career. He’s also appeared in television series like Unfortunatly Ashley, The Pregame, and Superstore. He also appeared in the iCarly sequel series for Paramount+.
Lily D. Moore as Rebecca: Rebecca is Paxton’s little sister who dreams of being a fashion designer. She asks Devi to model her clothing for her at one point so that she can create a portfolio. Rebecca is also often the voice of reason in Paxton’s life. Before joining the Never Have I Ever cast as a recurring character, Moore appeared in numerous television series and music videos, including The Gifted and Teachers. Following Never Have I Ever, Moore also appeared as Erica Durance’s daughter in Color My World With Love.
Jack Seaver McDonald as Eric: Eric might not be one of the most popular kids in school in Never Have I Ever, but he always knows what’s going on. He runs a Lady-Whisteldown-like blog about his fellow students but fails to stay anonymous. McDonald, like many of the younger members of the Never Have I Ever cast, has mostly appeared in short films and other television shows. He can be seen in episodes of Modern Family, Young Sheldon, and Why Women Kill.
Christina Kartchner as Eve: Eve is Fabiola’s first girlfriend, helping Fabiola to understand her sexuality and that she doesn’t necessarily have to fit in with all of Eve’s friends. Kartchner doesn’t have a lot of onscreen experience before joining the Never Have I Ever cast. While she’s appeared in College Humor sketches and the TV series Maggie, Kartchner has also worked on the stage and in improv groups.
Dino Petrera as Jonah: Jonah is a classmate of Devi and her friends who frequently judges Devi’s behavior. He’s also involved in the drama program with Eleanor. Petrera has a lot of experience in guest-starring roles in TV shows and in short films. He can be seen in episodes of the US version of Shameless, Chicken Girls, and the Saved By The Bell sequel series.
Michael Cimino as Ethan: Ethan joins the Never Have I Ever cast for its final season In Season 4. He’s something of a bad boy that Devi develops a crush on. Cimino has done a lot of work as a voice actor in series like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Hamster and Gretel, but he’s probably best known for playing the lead in Hulu’s Love, Victor.