Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the rising star of the entertainment industry, is making waves once again with her latest project. After captivating audiences as the lead in the Netflix comedy series "Never Have I Ever," she is now set to take on a new challenge in the world of teen shows. Ramakrishnan has been cast as the nemesis to Lexi Minetree's Elle Woods in the highly anticipated second season of the Amazon Prime Video series "Elle."
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ramakrishnan revealed that her character, Sam, is a complex and intriguing addition to the Legally Blonde universe. She described Sam as someone who possesses all the ambition of the protagonist but lacks her optimism, making her a force to be reckoned with. With a background in journalism and a keen eye for detail, Sam is the founder and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, a true leader in the making.
What makes this role particularly exciting for Ramakrishnan is the opportunity to explore a different side of her acting abilities. She shared, "Without spoiling too much, I like my character's dynamic in the gang because it's not something I've done before. It's a fresh challenge and a chance to showcase my versatility as an actress."
The actress also expressed her admiration for the iconic world of Legally Blonde and praised Reese Witherspoon as a "legend." She has had the privilege of working with Witherspoon on the second season of "Elle" and with Mindy Kaling on "Never Have I Ever." Ramakrishnan believes that both actresses, as producers, share a common goal of improving representation onscreen, and their collaboration is a testament to their shared vision.
Ramakrishnan's enthusiasm for the project is evident in her words, "The biggest thing they have in common, I would say, is that they are both women with audacity, and that's why I think they hire women with audacity as well. Meeting Lexi is such a joy because she works so hard. She's just amazing. Game recognizes game, and I think Mindy knew what she did casting me, and Reese knew what she did casting Lexi Minetree."
As the second season of "Elle" prepares for its release, viewers can expect a captivating exploration of high school life, with Ramakrishnan's Sam adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to the narrative. With her talent and dedication, Ramakrishnan is poised to deliver another memorable performance, leaving audiences eager for more.
