“I never did beforeExecutive Producer Mindy KalingLang Fisher, show host Lang Fisher, and the stars of the new Netflix drama series celebrated the first appearance of its third season at Westwood Village Theater in Los Angeles Thursday night.
The show follows American Indian teen Devi Vishwakumar (Maitri Ramakrishnan) as she comes to terms with the sudden death of her father while also navigating complex relationships with her family, romantic interests, and peers at her high school in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The cast and crew were previously unable to attend the premiere in person of the hit series, which debuted shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The excitement was palpable as hundreds of fans lined the streets around the stage, cheering the arrival of the stars.
“I feel like I’m at the Oscars,” Kaling said. diverse. “It’s really unbelievable. Especially for these kids. When they filmed the show, it was such a hit and they didn’t have to be around people and take the victory lap. So, it kind of looked theoretical. They did the show and saw the impact on the internet and then we came back We just shot more.”
Kaling explained that fans can expect more of the show’s mix of comedy, romance, and drama as the teenage characters approach adulthood. “We try to pack a lot into each season,” she said. “There are sentimental things we try to show, but it also still has to be a funny show. I feel like you’re turning on the TV and all the comedy is kind of depressing. And we just wanted to make a show that brings joy into people’s lives. But there are serious things like sadness, and it’s important to me. Us to write about it, grow, and get out of your house.”
“Never Have I Ever” also marks the first acting appearance of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philip’s son, Deacon Philip. Phillip plays Parker, a friend of Davy (Anirudh Pisharody), a friend of Davy’s new lover and a member of her school’s rival debate team.
Kaling said she dumped Philip after her close friend Witherspoon told her he was interested in acting. She said, “We were breaking the season and there was this role that seemed like it would be perfect for Deacon.”
She continued, “He’s obviously very talented and he’s great looking, and we thought he’d be cool and was excited to come and do it. He’s just such a good growing kid. He’s so talented, he’s so funny and he fits right in with the cast. The cast and crew loved him and he was It’s wonderful to have him.”
Kaling said diverse“He is a humble kid and just wants to learn. He was brought up by very successful actors. He is not cautious or anything. He just came with an open mind and was enthusiastic.”
Fisher said she immediately liked Philip from his first reading. It was great, and we were like, ‘Come on board! “
She added, “It was the first thing he ever did, but he was so professional. He grew up like a great guy. He came to be really prepared and did a great job.”
Megan Suri, Richa Morjani, Lee Rodriguez, Ramona Young, Purna Jaganathan, Darren Barnett, Maitri Ramakrishnan and Garen Lewison attend the “Never Have I Ever” premiere in Los Angeles on August 11.
Gilbert Flores for variety
One of the main lines of the show focused on the love triangle between Davy, her former academic rival Ben Gross (Garen Lewison) and famed jock Paxton Hall Yoshida (Darren Barnet). With the addition of Picharudi’s character, Season 3 will explore Davey’s new romantic dilemma, which several cast members have described as “the arena of love.”
Ramakrishnan quipped that Season 3 was the show’s most “exciting” season to date and made it clear that she thought fans would love the new dynamic. “Anirudh is great. It was fun working with him and fun spice up,” she said. “Mindy and I think stable relationships on TV are so boring. Because you know what, I can’t have a stable relationship, so I don’t want to watch it on TV.”
Season 3 of “Never Have I Ever” is now streaming on Netflix.