Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is no stranger to stealing the spotlight, and in Disney’s upcoming animated series The Twits, she’s poised to do it again. The 23-year-old Canadian actress, celebrated for her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever, steps into the whimsical yet mischievous world of Roald Dahl’s classic tale. In this vibrant adaptation, Ramakrishnan voices Beach, one of two courageous children who, alongside a family of magical animals, take on the meanest, nastiest villains plotting to seize control of their town.
In an exclusive interview with AMFM Magazine, Ramakrishnan shared her excitement about the project, her connection to Dahl’s storytelling, and how her comedic and dramatic chops found a perfect home in The Twits. “Roald Dahl’s stories are so timeless because they’re bold, a little cheeky, and always have this undercurrent of heart,” she says, her signature energy lighting up the conversation. “Getting to play a character who’s brave, clever, and a bit of a troublemaker? That’s my kind of role.”
Ramakrishnan’s character, Beach, is a “sweetie pie” who embodies wholesomeness and earnestness, yet carries a spark of mischief that resonates with Dahl’s irreverent style. “She’s bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and kids will love her,” Ramakrishnan explains. “But the Twits themselves? They’re gross, nasty, and hilarious. I think kids and families will get a kick out of their antics.” The series, set to stream on Netflix, has already sparked buzz, with Ramakrishnan noting her cousin in her 30s was “so excited” when the trailer dropped, a testament to the story’s multigenerational appeal.
Recording The Twits gave Ramakrishnan a chance to immerse herself in the meticulous world of animation, a process she describes as both humbling and rewarding. “Animation takes so long to create, from concept design to distribution,” she says. “As a voice actor, I’m just a small puzzle piece.” One of her favorite memories was visiting Netflix’s offices and meeting the animators and creatives behind the project. “They walked me around, showed me their work, and I was blown away by their talent,” she recalls. “I kept saying they should be doing the press, but they were like, ‘No way, that’s why we picked jobs behind the scenes!’”
Ramakrishnan’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. Named to TIME’s 2021 TIME100 Next list and lauded by the New York Times as one of 2020’s best actors, she’s earned accolades like the Gracie Award for Breakthrough Comedy Actress and a nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards. Her voice work as Priya in Pixar’s Turning Red showcased her versatility, and upcoming roles in Disney’s Freakier Friday and Tideline’s Slated (both 2025) signal her unstoppable momentum. Recently named to Forbes’ 2024 30 Under 30 and serving as Lancôme Canada’s ambassador, Ramakrishnan continues to make waves globally, a feat recognized by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s Radius Award.
For aspiring actors looking to follow in her footsteps, Ramakrishnan offers refreshingly candid advice: “Don’t follow in my footsteps. Go be your own person. You literally cannot be me or anyone else.” With a laugh, she adds, “I’m flattered, but I’m not that tall. Look up to the person you are and strive to be.” Her grounded perspective stems from a deep gratitude for her craft and a sobering awareness of its rarity. “I’m going to die one day,” she says bluntly. “I’m so blessed to have the job of my dreams in 2025, to live off being an artist. That’s a privilege, so I seize every moment and live without regret.”
The Twits isn’t just a wild ride of Dahl-esque chaos; it carries a message Ramakrishnan hopes resonates with audiences. Reflecting on Beach’s arc, she highlights the importance of kindness in the face of cruelty. “Beach is so kind, but even she can slip into being a bit of a twit, a bit mean,” she explains. “She realizes it’s easy to be hateful back, but that’s not the answer. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but leading with basic respect is the bare minimum—and it’s not expensive.” It’s a lesson she hopes kids and families take to heart, though she’s quick to emphasize the beauty of art’s subjectivity: “Take away whatever you want. That’s the magic of film and TV.”
As The Twits prepares to delight audiences on Netflix, Ramakrishnan’s infectious enthusiasm and authenticity shine through. With her friends and family keeping her humble, she’s ready to continue captivating the world—one bold, cheeky, heartfelt role at a time.
