Poorna Jagannathan (/ˈpɔːrnə ˌdʒɑːɡəˈnɑːθən/ POR-nə JAH-gə-NAH-thən; born December 22, 1972) is an American producer and actress of Indian descent. She is known for her portrayal of Safar Khan in the HBO drama miniseries The Night Of and for her role as Nalini Vishwakumar in the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever.
Jagannathan also co-conceived, produced, and acted in the play Nirbhaya, considered "one of the most powerful and urgent pieces of human rights theatre ever made," and is regarded as a critical moment in India's history of women's empowerment.
Jagannathan was named among the "Top 100 Most Impactful Asians" in America in 2021 and 2022 by Goldhouse. People magazine featured her in their 2024 "The Beautiful Issue", while Verve magazine named her among the top 50 most powerful women in India in 2014.
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Known For
Deli Boys
Lucky · (10 episodes)
2025
Goodrich
Dr. Verma
2024
Wolfs
June
2024
Turtles All the Way Down
Dr. Kira Singh
2024
Hot Ones Versus
Self · (1 episode)
2024
The Out-Laws
Rehan Zakaryan
2023
I'll Show You Mine
Priya
2022
House Comes with a Bird
Langley
2022
Alia's Birth
2021
The Wilds
Rana Jadmani · (1 episode)
2020
Never Have I Ever
Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar · (40 episodes)
2020
Defending Jacob
Elizabeth Vogel · (4 episodes)
2020
Messiah
Sanjana Mirza · (3 episodes)
2020
The Dead Center
Sarah Grey
2019
The Act
Lakshmi Chandra · (1 episode)
2019
Share
Kerri
2019
Sorry For Your Loss
Matt's Psychiatrist · (1 episode)
2018
An Actor Prepares
Dr. Fisher
2018
Mile 22
Dorothy Brady
2018
Daisy Winters
Annabel Kumar
2017
Room 104
Divya (voice) · (1 episode)
2017
Gypsy
Larin Inamdar · (10 episodes)
2017
The Circle
Dr. Jessica Villalobos
2017
Carrie Pilby
Fliss
2017
Taken
Judith Chapman · (1 episode)
2017
Growing Up Smith
Nalini Bhatnagar
2017
The Night Of
Safar Khan · (8 episodes)
2016
Better Call Saul
Dr. Maureen Bruckner · (2 episodes)
2015
The Blacklist
Nirah Ahmad · (1 episode)
2013
Thanks for Sharing
Lili Kazhani
2013
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Riyana
2013
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding
Mira
2011
Delhi Belly
Menaka Vashisht
2011
Rizzoli & Isles
Mrs. Jalbani · (1 episode)
2010
NCIS: Los Angeles
Dr. Nitya Agarwal · (1 episode)
2009
Karma Calling
Quality Control
2009
Awake
Dr. Neyer's Nurse
2007
Modern Day Arranged Marriage
Suna
2005
The Weather Man
NY Pedestrian
2005
Dealbreaker
Fran's girlfriend
2005
Made in Hollywood
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Starved
PJ · (1 episode)
2005
She Hate Me
Song's Girlfriend
2004
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Dr. Sikh · (1 episode)
2001
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Maya Samra · (2 episodes)
1999
Law & Order
Rehana Khemlani · (1 episode)
1990
Lanterns
Zoe · (1 episode)