The Netflix series Never Have I Ever has captivated fans with its relatable characters and dramatic high school storylines. Although the actors play these characters with believability, their actual ages can differ greatly from the characters they portray. Here’s a closer look at how old the cast members are compared to their on-screen characters.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who plays the lead role of Devi, is a high school sophomore experiencing teenage drama and hormonal turbulence. In real life, Maitreyi was born in 2001, so she was 22 in 2023. The fact that she is in her early twenties also speaks to the age difference, as her ability to capture the essence of a teenager is incredible.
Darren Barnet as Paxton Hall-Yoshida
Darren Barnet plays Paxton Hall-Yoshida, a charismatic high school senior who instantly attracts a following. Although Paxton is seventeen, Darren was born in 1991, meaning he’s 32. This gulf in age may surprise many viewers, considering how perfectly he fits into the role of a high school student.
Jaren Lewison as Ben Gross
Jaren Lewison portrays Ben Gross, Devi’s academic rival and would-be romance. Like Devi, Ben is a high school sophomore. In fact, Jaren was born in 2000, making him 23. This minor age gap also aids Jaren in accessing his character’s youthful exuberance.
Ramona Young as Eleanor Wong
Ramona Young plays Eleanor Wong, one of Devi’s best friends, who aspires to be a Hollywood star. Eleanor is a high school teenager; Ramona was born in 1998, meaning she was 25. Her exuberant performance ensures that Eleanor always feels authentically young.
Lee Rodriguez as Fabiola Torres
Lee Rodriguez plays Fabiola Torres, one of Devi’s other besties. She is a science whiz with a big heart. Fabiola is a high school sophomore, but Lee was born in 1999; she’s 24. Lee’s depiction perfectly distinguishes between Fabiola’s brilliance and teenage clumsiness.
Megan Suri as Aneesa Qureshi
Megan Suri was added as a new cast member in Season 2. She plays Aneesa Qureshi, a self-assured newcomer and one of Devi’s classmates. Aneesa is also a teen on the show, but Megan, born in 1999, is 24. Her approach feels true to the character and his maturity.
Poorna Jagannathan as Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar
Poorna Jagannathan plays Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar, Devi’s strict but loving mother. Dr. Vishwakumar’s age is closer to her real life than to that of the teenagers in the show. Poorna was born in 1972, so she is 51 years old. Her performance is nuanced, as it captures the difficulty of combining being a parent with her working life.
Richa Moorjani as Kamala Nandiwadal
Richa Moorjani plays Kamala, Devi’s cousin, who faces the tension of traditional expectations with modern ambitions. Kamala is depicted as a woman in her twenties, which is very much in line with Richa’s actual age. Richa is 34, however, born in 1989, adding gravitas to ‘s’ character.
