About “Never Have I Ever” in a few words:

Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy-drama series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, which premiered on Netflix in 2020. The show follows the story of Devi Vishwakumar, a 15-year-old Indian-American girl living in California who is determined to improve her social status in high school while dealing with the loss of her father and the challenges of growing up. The series explores themes of identity, culture, friendship, family, and romance with a mix of humor and heart, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves a good teen drama.

Meet the characters from Never Have I Ever

Devi Vishwakumar

Devi is a walking, talking chaos tornado with a PhD in overthinking and a minor in dramatic declarations — she’s sharp, hilarious, and somehow always in the middle of a disaster she both caused and is trying to fix. She wants love and recognition but also will push people away at warp speed; like, she’s equal parts romantic and self-sabotage, which is exhausting and brilliant. Obsessed with math one minute, writing terrible poetry the next, and definitely keeps a list of “feelings to confront” that never gets checked off. Also low-key brilliant at scheming and bad at texting back, which is basically her whole brand.

Nalini Vishwakumar

Nalini is that quietly fierce parent who can be both a calming presence and a low-key drill sergeant, usually in the same sentence — she’s practical, caring, and has very strict snack rules for some reason. She’s a doctor (yes really) so she’s organized to a fault, but also harbors a soft spot for cheesy rom-coms and ridiculous late-night samosas, which she’d never admit out loud. Protective but learning to loosen the grip, she stumbles through modern teen drama with bewildered dignity and occasional stealthy humor. Confusing fact: she’s extremely competent but somehow gets flummoxed by group chats.

Paxton Hall-Yoshida

Paxton is the beachy golden boy who somehow took a left turn into being genuinely kind instead of being just Another Pretty Face — he’s charming, goofy, and surprisingly emotionally available when the scene calls for it. He can be a little vain (does he own more hair products than shoes? yes) but will also cry at movies and bring you soup when you’re dramatic about a small paper cut. He’s the guy who knows how to be cool without being a jerk, which almost makes him dangerous, and yes he definitely still has a skateboard somewhere. Also he might sing mid-conversation and you’d forgive him instantly.

John McEnroe

John McEnroe’s presence is pure combustible energy — loud, blunt, impossibly competitive, and a little bit iconic in the “yell-at-the-universe” sense. He’s brash and unfiltered but also inexplicably wise in flash moments, like someone who will roast you and then hand you a trophy. There’s this big-swinging confidence that’s half bravado, half genuine expertise — think fireworks and vintage tennis whites. Quirk: he has the temper of a legend but probably cries during commercials about pets, don’t quote me.

Ben Gross

Ben is the textbook rival with layers and an ability to manufacture passive-aggressive zingers on demand, but also secretly accurate and insecure in a way that makes him weirdly sympathetic. Competitive, sharp, a little conniving — absolutely invested in winning — yet he’s also the kid who clutches a comfort object (mental one, maybe a playlist) and panics internally. He projects confidence like cologne, but the smell fades when he’s alone and suddenly reads poetry under fluorescent lights. Also sporadically sweet and capable of genuine apology — shocker.

Trent Harrison

Trent is peak frat-bro antagonist: slick hair, practiced grin, the kind of guy who’s allergic to long-term consequences but not to a good time. He’s manipulative in a casual, almost bored way, and he flirts like it’s an art form he took one semester in college for extra credit. He can be surprisingly insecure — yeah, under the sunglasses — and sometimes says things that are almost honest when he’s had too much to drink. Odd little detail: he collects vintage tennis scores? Maybe. It’s a mood.

Kamala

Kamala is the cool, put-together cousin who arrived to every family event with a PowerPoint and a calming eye-roll; she’s independent, driven, and the kind of person who will make you feel both seen and mildly judged. She’s simultaneously nurturing and blunt, like a coach who also bakes muffins, and she’ll tell you hard truths wrapped in practical wisdom. Passionate about justice and her career, she can surprise everyone with little spontaneous jokes — she’s not all serious business even if she looks it. Also she probably has a plant she names after historical figures, and yes it’s thriving more than her dating life.

Fabiola Torres

Fabiola is shy-queen genius energy: coding prodigy, secret cosplay mom, and the person who will build you a robot friend if you ask nicely (or even if you don’t, honestly). Quiet but fierce, she’s super loyal to her squad and has this dry, deadpan humor that sneaks up on you and then ruins your day because you’re laughing. Loves science fairs, hates spotlight, but will absolutely own any stage if forced — awkwardly majestic. Tiny contradiction: hates small talk but will text you twelve memes at 3 a.m. about quantum physics.

Eleanor Wong

Eleanor is the sharp, sarcastic glue of the friend group — quick with a joke, dangerously honest, and somehow always ready with the perfect dramatic eye-roll. She’s theatrical, a little dramatic, and extremely loyal, with a flair for fashion that either slays or stuns depending on your taste. She’ll roast you lovingly, then stage-whisper supportive pep talks that are suspiciously effective. Also she collects tiny sunglasses for reasons she won’t explain, and honestly that’s the vibe.