Why Eleanor From Never Have I Ever Looks So Familiar

Critics and viewers were abuzz in April of 2020, when the latest series co-created by The Office and The Mindy Project star Mindy Kaling, dropped on Netflix. Never Have I Ever is a teen comedy that traverses familiar ground in a fresh way. The series follows Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she navigates her sophomore year of high school, determined to improve her social standing, fix her home life, and get a boyfriend.

Of course, teen comedies are only as good as their supporting characters, and thankfully for us, Devi's classmates and friends are instantly iconic in their own right. One of the most immediately memorable is Eleanor (Ramona Young), one of Devi's best friends, who is an aspiring actress trying to navigate her difficult relationship with her mother.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Young described what she thinks makes Eleanor such an intriguing character: "She's very much her own person and overall she's incredibly confident for a high school student." If Eleanor caught your attention and left you wondering where else you've seen Young, you're not alone. Here's why Eleanor from Never Have I Ever looks so familiar.

One of Young's earliest and most memorable roles was originally meant to be little more than a bit part. She played Ramona, a disaffected drug store employee with a distinct monotone voice, on Netflix's zombie comedy Santa Clarita Diet. According to an interview with Young on Resonate, her character was never even supposed to have a name when she was introduced in the show's first season. "I think, originally, the part of 'Ramona' was a single episode thing without a real character name," she recalled.

Although Ramona remained a minor part, it's clear that after hearing Young's hilarious line readings, the producers of Santa Clarita Diet were determined to find more ways to integrate Ramona into the story. Through her role as a pharmacy clerk, she often ends up inadvertently counseling other characters who come into the store where she works. Later in the show, her character is fleshed out when it's revealed that she is undead, just like Sheila (Drew Barrymore).

Young appeared in all three seasons of Santa Clarita Diet, even if her screen time remained limited. For her next TV project, however, she got a much more substantial role.

In 2018, Young joined the CW's DC Comics Arrowverse when she was cast as Mona Wu in the fourth season of Legends of Tomorrow. Mona began her arc on the show as a delivery person who was introduced to the Time Bureau many times thanks to her work. Eventually, she ends up getting embroiled in the agency, and even becomes the Assistant Coordinator of Creature Upkeep.

Things get more complicated for Mona after she is scratched by Konane (Darien Martin), a kaupe (a werewolf type creature inspired by Hawaiian folklore). Mona becomes a kaupe herself, and is eventually invited to become a member of the Legends. Not bad for a character introduced in the fourth season as a delivery person!

Young spoke highly of her experiences working on the show. In an interview with MEA WorldWide, she specifically noted the professional and pleasant cast. "We are all so quirky and fun on set, I think that really translates on screen," she said. "It's a real pleasure." As of now, there's no word on whether Young will return for the show's recently announced sixth season.

Young's career isn't limited to the small screen. She co-starred in 2018's surprise hit movie Blockers, which has a similar premise to Never Have I Ever. The Kay Cannon-directed film takes a very typical formula — three high schoolers try to lose their virginity on prom night — and upends the conventions by focusing on modern, unique characters, as opposed to tired pre-frat guy stereotypes.

In the case of Blockers, the main characters are a trio of female friends. The group includes Sam (Gideon Adlon), who is slowly coming to terms with her sexuality thanks to her crush on her fellow classmate, Angelica, played by Young. The budding relationship between the two young women was seen by critics as a refreshing change of pace. Both Adlon and Young were praised for their performances, and even director Kay Cannon highlighted Young's contributions to the role in an interview with Vanity Fair, saying, "I loved her audition so much, she's a great weirdo."

Of her role in the film, Young told the magazine, "I was completely passionate about doing Angelica justice." Anybody who has followed her career thus far has likely noticed that, no matter the role, Ramona Young does her characters proud.