Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is the Toast of the Party at the Opening of Netflix Canada Headquarters
- Among actresses from up north, the 22-year-old is, after all, Canada's biggest export to Hollywood since Rachel McAdams.
She captured the hearts of millions across the world as an Indian American ingenue Devi Vishwakumar in Netflix’s runaway hit series “Never Have I Ever.” Little wonder that Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was the toast of the celebrity-studded opening of Netflix Canada headquarters in Toronto last week, attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among other luminaries.
Among the many celebrities present are stars from ”Stranger Things,” “The White Lotus,” and “Ferrari.”
“Canadian-themed cocktails (like the Sucre Royale—maple syrup, rye, cider—or the Arctic Mule—vodka, ginger beer, lime) in hand, guests listened to a panel discussion featuring young Canadian actors Maitreyi Ramakrishnan of Never Have I Ever, Anna Cathcart of the upcoming series XO, Kitty and Connor Jessup of Locke & Key,” a report in the Toronto Star said.
Reflecting on her disbelief about her meteoric rise Ramakrishnan, during her panel discussion exclaimed, “Even today, here, I’m like, Why did you invite me? Did everyone else say no?”
The Canada-born Ramakrishnan, among actresses, is undoubtedly the northern neighbor’s biggest export to Hollywood since Rachel McAdams shot into fame in “Mean Girls” nearly two decades ago. Although there have been many male actors who became megastars in America, including Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, and Jim Carey, very few women have broken through stardom as Ramakrishnan did.
Ramakrishnan, who refers to herself as a Tamil Canadian, was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. She was born to Tamil parents who immigrated to Canada as refugees from Sri Lanka due to the civil war.
Ramakrishnan was included and named a Breakout Actor in Time’s Time100 Next list of influential, rising stars. She is scheduled to make her feature film acting debut in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy “The Netherfield Girls,” a contemporary adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice.”
Congrats to her, and also to the series on Netflix for being somewhat Hindu friendly. However, even that laudable scene in the first episode has a flippant character to it. This would not be permitted in any depiction of Islam, on prime time TV. With Hindus and Hindus it seems, you can get away with quite a lot!