Poorna Jagannathan

Poorna Jagannathan is an Indian-American actress and producer known for her work across television, film, and theater. Before her acting career, Jagannathan spent 15 years in advertising at agencies including TBWA Worldwide, Ogilvy, and Deutsch Inc., later founding her own consultancy. She trained at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and began her acting career with roles in the film "She Hate Me" and the television series "Law & Order."

Jagannathan gained recognition for her role in the HBO crime drama miniseries "The Night Of." She has since appeared in a range of drama and comedy series, including "Better Call Saul," "The Blacklist," "Ramy," "Big Little Lies," and "Never Have I Ever." Her portrayal of Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling's Netflix series "Never Have I Ever" is noted for its depiction of an Indian immigrant woman. The show received the People's Choice Awards for three consecutive seasons.

In addition to her on-screen work, Jagannathan has contributed to social advocacy through the arts. She initiated, produced, and acted in the play "Nirbhaya," written and directed by Yaël Farber, which addresses sexual violence. "Nirbhaya" received the Amnesty International Award, the Fringe First Award, and the Herald Angel Award.

Jagannathan has continued to expand her range with appearances in the feature film "Wolfs" and a lead role as Lucky in the Hulu comedy "Deli Boys." She joined the DC Comics live-action adaptation "Lanterns" for HBO, playing Zoe Macon. She is also slated for a lead role in an Apple TV+ series based on the Joona Linna book series by Lars Kepler.

Jagannathan has been recognized among the Top 100 Most Influential Asians in America by Goldhouse and among the top 50 most powerful women in India. Her work spans a variety of genres and platforms, reflecting her versatility in the entertainment industry and her commitment to storytelling and advocacy.