Which boy will the character of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan end up with on “Never Have I Ever”?
It’s a question that has kept viewers intrigued over the years, and Maitreyi’s answer seems to change with every exit interview she does. She has even confessed to intentionally giving different answers to different publications just to mess with people.
But for her, the character’s romantic pursuits are not high on the priority list. Instead, she wants Devi, the teenage protagonist of the show, to focus more on self-discovery and personal growth.
The fourth and final season of “Never Have I Ever” recently premiered on Netflix, and it picks up where it left off with Devi’s chaotic life. After experiencing a series of firsts, including losing her virginity, she now now has to balance academics and friendships, as well as navigate romantic interests and a difficult family situation.
Ramakrishnan relates to her character’s journey, having grown up as a first-generation daughter of Tamil immigrants from Sri Lanka in Mississauga, Ontario. While she wasn’t as boy-crazy as Devi, she did relate to the character’s quest for self-acceptance.
Notably, “Never Have I Ever” breaks the stereotype of sidelining parents in teen dramas, focusing instead on the intergenerational relationships between Devi, her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother. The show also explores the cultural nuances of growing up as an Indian American.
Despite the show’s immense popularity, Ramakrishnan seems to be keeping her life grounded and focused. She only recently finished her first full year of college, having deferred her acceptance to York University’s theater program in Toronto when she landed the role of Devi in the show. She has also lent her voice to an upcoming animated feature called “Turning Red” and will star in the upcoming Netflix film “The Netherfield Girls.”
Through it all, Ramakrishnan has developed a close relationship with her grandmother, who stays with her in California while she works on her acting projects. She has also maintained a grounded approach to her studies, realizing that the journey of self-discovery is not a linear one and that it is okay to take life at her own pace.
