In our Q&A series Last Call, we get down to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favourite celebs – from the last time they were starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, Jaren Lewison take our call.
Never Have I Ever fans have been in fierce debate over whether Devi should pick Paxton or Ben since season one first dropped in April 2020, and it seems like the cast have just as strong feelings. Ahead of the season two premiere on July 15, POPSUGAR chatted with Jaren Lewison, and he gave his two cents about the love triangle. As the actor behind Ben, obviously he’s a little biased, but he certainly makes some good points for why everyone else should be Team Ben. “Him and Devi has such a strong connection,” he noted. “Their banter is something that is really great for a foundation of a relationship because it’s such a unique friendship. I think that they genuinely really do care for each other.” That being said, he did admit that Paxton is a “formidable opponent.” “He offers a lot for Devi, too. It’s a different kind of status, and I think that he is this exciting, popular, really attractive dude that offers a different world for her as well. So it will be interesting to see how Devi goes about that in season three, if we do get that chance.”
If Netflix does renew the series for another season, one thing Jaren would really love to see is more incredible cameos. While the first season features appearances from tennis star John McEnroe and The Office actress Angela Kinsey, season two is really stacked with guest stars like Common, Billy Crystal, and a voice narration from Gigi Hadid. As for a third season, both Jaren and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (who plays Devi) are hoping for another The Office alum. “Maitreyi and I always talk about if Steve Carell ever pops in, we’ll die,” he said. “I selfishly, in Ben’s world, if Adam Sandler pops in, I think I’d lose my mind. There’s so many opportunities for such cool cameos, you never know. Every time you read a script, it’s a possibility that somebody special could walk in.” With the new season of Never Have I Ever streaming on Netflix, see what else Jaren had to say in our Last Call interview.
What was your last day on set of Never Have I Ever like?
I was pretty emotional. It actually was that last scene of season two. It was at that winter dance, and it was really emotional for me just because we were shooting during the pandemic, but it really just made us closer. It was so sad to have to leave, but also there was this tremendous feeling of pride because of this season that we created that I think is so special and meaningful and so many people are going to love.
Last thing you did for self-care?
I work out every morning. I think that mental health is really important, and one of the ways that I really make sure that I take care of myself is through fitness and through exercise. I lift weights six times a week, and I also play tennis a lot for cardio. I’m learning how to hockey skate as well. I love sports and I love being active, and I think that it’s so good for my mental health, [which is] especially important nowadays. It’s so important to take care of yourself. So for me, that’s daily exercise. I really crave it.
Last song you listened to?
Miley Cyrus came out with a cover of “Nothing Else Matters.” Oh my God, it smacks. She’s so good. Her album also, her most recent one [Plastic Hearts], I literally have all of [the songs] on my playlist. I love her punk-rock vibe, I think that it’s so catchy. Love Miley’s music.
Last piece of advice you received that changed your life?
Remember that feeling. I hear it almost every day. It’s my life motto, and it was passed down from my grandfather to my dad, from my dad to me, and hopefully me to my kids one day. I think about it every single day. It always reminds me to stop and remember the incredible moments in life and really appreciate everything that you have. So before I actually got on these press calls, my dad told me, “Stop and remember that feeling,” and it just reminds me of how amazing my life is and how lucky I am to be in the position that I am and on the incredible show that I’m on.
Last thing you did with one of your Never Have I Ever costars?
We all had a small little kickback, actually after my last day of shooting. We all went over to Ramona [Young]’s apartment and just hung out as friends, and we celebrated season two and what we were able to create. A lot of us slept over, and we just had a really good time. It was just really sweet to be able to be together as friends and celebrate what we created.
Last thing you texted?
I was just making plans with some old friends, some elementary school friends. I love to keep in touch with all of my old elementary, middle school, high school friends. It’s just so fun catching up, and we’re making plans to go out for a little catch-up dinner and see what everybody’s been up to.
Last show you binge-watched?
Peaky Blinders. I love Peaky Blinders. The acting in that show is otherworldly, and I think that the writing is just so brilliant. That show’s the absolute masterclass in dramatic TV.
Last thing you ordered online?
Roller blades. I want to learn how to play hockey, and I know it’s different skating on ice versus skating in the street, but I was like, “OK, if I can learn the movements of certain motions, then maybe it will translate when I get back on the ice and it’ll accelerate my learning so that I can play hockey as quickly as possible.”
Last thing you do before going to bed?
Usually, I like to make sure that I’ve responded to all of my texts, and I usually try to pick at least one person every night that I haven’t talked to [in a while] and just texting, “Hey, I’m thinking about you,” just to make sure that I am always taking care of my friends and they know that I love them and I’m always thinking about them.
Last time you were starstruck?
When I met Mindy [Kaling] and Angela [Kinsey], so I guess it would be Angela then, because I met her a little bit later. I had trouble speaking because I was such a huge fan of The Office, and then we started doing some scene work, and I started chatting with her and I found out that she is one of the nicest human beings on the planet, and we talked about Texas, and she just made it so easy for me to feel comfortable. Then we did a couple of scenes, and I just broke character almost every single time because she’s that brilliant.
