Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, widely recognized for her breakout role in Netflix’s acclaimed series Never Have I Ever, is set to expand her acting repertoire by joining the cast of Amazon Prime Video’s Elle for its eagerly anticipated second season. This new role marks a significant addition to her growing career, as she steps into the world of the popular Legally Blonde prequel series, which explores the formative years of the iconic character Elle Woods.
The series Elle delves into the high school life of Elle Woods, long before she became the confident and savvy law student fans know and love. The first season, scheduled to premiere on July 1, has already generated buzz for its fresh take on the beloved franchise. Following the show’s renewal announcement in January, production for the second season is slated to begin this spring, promising to build on the momentum and deepen the storyline with new characters and dynamics.
Ramakrishnan will portray Sam, a character crafted as a direct contrast to Elle Woods. Described as Elle’s foil, Sam embodies ambition but lacks Elle’s characteristic optimism and joy. She holds the position of editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and is also known as the commissioner of the grammar police, making her a formidable presence in the school environment. Unlike Elle, who is guided by her pet chihuahua Cosmo, Sam reveres the AP Stylebook, highlighting her strict adherence to rules and order. This dynamic sets up an intriguing tension between the two characters, promising compelling interactions and conflicts.
The ensemble cast of Elle features Lexi Minetree in the lead role of young Elle Woods, supported by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott, who play Elle’s parents, Eva and Wyatt Woods. The show also includes performances from Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker, with recurring appearances by Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Matt Ober, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, and Lisa Yamada. Notably, the late James Van Der Beek makes one of his final onscreen appearances in a recurring guest role, adding a poignant element to the series.
Elle was created by Laura Kittrell, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries. The production team includes high-profile executive producers such as Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Marc Platt, and Amanda Brown, ensuring a strong creative vision behind the show. Jason Moore directed the first two episodes and continues to contribute as an executive producer, lending his expertise to maintain the series’ quality and tone.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is represented by CAA, Premier Artists Management, and Felker Toczek Suddleson. Beyond her success in Never Have I Ever, she has lent her voice to major animated projects including Pixar’s Turning Red and the My Little Pony franchise. Recently, she appeared alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the film Freaky Friday, further showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her involvement in Elle season 2 is highly anticipated, as fans look forward to seeing her bring the complex character of Sam to life within this beloved universe.
