Canadian teen nabs lead role in upcoming Mindy Kaling comedy for Netflix

A Mississauga, Ont., teenager has nabbed the lead role in Mindy Kaling's new Netflix comedy.

The streaming service says Maitreyi Ramakrishnanis a newcomer to acting who will make her on-screen debut in the untitled project as Devi, described as "a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl."

Netflix says Ramakrishnan was chosen out of 15,000 responses from a worldwide open casting callthat began with an online post from the The Officeactorand Mindy Projectstar.

The untitled series is co-created, co-written and executive produced by Kaling and Lang Fisher, whose writing credits include The Mindy Projectand Brooklyn Nine Nine.

Netflix describes Devi as an overachieving high school sophomore who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations.

Ramakrishnan was born in Mississauga and did not have representation until she submitted a tape of herself with her friends when she saw Kaling's casting call on Twitter.

She is now repped by Sandra Gillis of Premier Artists' Management in Toronto.

What followed was a callback which led to two screen tests in Los Angeles opposite the actor set to play the role of Devi's mother.

According to Gillis, there was much anticipation in finding out whetherRamakrishnanwon the role given the intense competition.

"They really liked her and we waited and then we found out a while ago, but couldn't mention it, that she actually landed the role."

The 17-year-old just graduated fromMeadowvaleSecondary School in Mississauga.

Before the role and going forward

Prior to landing the role,Gillissays that Ramakrishnanhadexperience in theatre and music but never had any formal acting training.

She still got the job, and can relate closelyto the character of Devi given her attachment to her own culture.

"She'svery proud of her heritage and she wants everyone to know that she is Tamil-Canadian and that it is a very important aspect of her identity."

Gillisadds, "We are very proud of her it's been a long journey but I'm so glad that we're able to talk and express our excitement for her now."

Ramakrishnanwill star in every episode of the 10 episode series.

Filming is set to start July 23 with a release date yet to be announced.