Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the Canadian actress who rose to fame with her role in the Netflix series 'Never Have I Ever', is now set to make her mark in the world of teen shows once again. But this time, she's stepping into a different role, playing the nemesis to Lexi Minetree's Elle Woods in the second season of 'Elle'.
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ramakrishnan teased that her character, Sam, is a unique addition to the Legally Blonde universe. "Without spoiling too much, I like my character's dynamic in the gang because it's not something I've done before," she said. Sam is described as a ambitious and no-nonsense individual, the founder and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and the enemy of joy. "If Cosmo is Elle's bible, the AP Stylebook is Sam's holy grail," she adds.
Ramakrishnan's interest in the role was piqued by the "iconic" world of Legally Blonde and her admiration for Reese Witherspoon, who is executive producing the show. "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," she said. "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."
Ramakrishnan's own experiences in the industry, having worked with both Witherspoon and Kaling, have shaped her perspective on the importance of representation and storytelling. "The biggest thing they have in common, I would say, is that they are both hard-working women who want to tell good stories," she said. "They are both women with audacity, and that's why I think they hire women with audacity as well."
The actress' journey from an open casting call to leading roles in popular series is a testament to her talent and determination. But her new role in 'Elle' is a departure from her previous work, offering a fresh challenge and a unique opportunity to explore a different side of her acting abilities. "I like my character's dynamic in the gang because it's not something I've done before," she said. "It's a new challenge, and I'm excited to take it on."
As the second season of 'Elle' prepares for its release on Amazon's Prime Video, Ramakrishnan's addition to the cast is sure to generate buzz and excitement among fans. Her unique perspective and talent will undoubtedly add a new dimension to the show, and her collaboration with Witherspoon and Kaling is a testament to the power of women in the industry. "I'm excited to see what the future holds for 'Elle' and for my character Sam," she said. "It's a new adventure, and I can't wait to share it with the world."
In conclusion, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan's new role in 'Elle' is a significant step in her career, offering a fresh challenge and a unique opportunity to explore a different side of her acting abilities. Her collaboration with Witherspoon and Kaling is a testament to the power of women in the industry, and her addition to the cast is sure to generate buzz and excitement among fans. As the second season of 'Elle' prepares for its release, Ramakrishnan's character Sam is poised to become a fan favorite, offering a fresh and ambitious take on the Legally Blonde universe.
