
Poorna Jagannathan
Biography
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

TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Maya Samra
1999

TV
Law & Order
Rehana Khemlani
1990

TV
The Blacklist
Nirah Ahmad
2013

TV
NCIS: Los Angeles
Dr. Nitya Agarwal
2009

TV
Better Call Saul
Dr. Maureen Bruckner
2015

TV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Dr. Sikh
2001

TV
Numb3rs
Tech #1
2005

TV
Rizzoli & Isles
Mrs. Jalbani
2010

TV
Messiah
Sanjana Mirza
2020

TV
Taken
Judith Chapman
2017

TV
The Night Of
Safar Khan
2016

TV
Never Have I Ever
Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar
2020

TV
Made in Hollywood
Self
2005

TV
Room 104
Divya (voice)
2017

TV
The Wilds
Rana Jadmani
2020

TV
Defending Jacob
Elizabeth Vogel
2020

TV
Hot Ones Versus
Self
2024

TV
The Act
Lakshmi Chandra
2019

Film
Wolfs
June
2024

TV
Gypsy
Larin Inamdar
2017
Filmography
2025TVDeli Boysas Lucky2024FilmGoodrichas Dr. Verma2024FilmWolfsas June2024FilmTurtles All the Way Downas Dr. Kira Singh2024TVHot Ones Versusas Self2023FilmThe Out-Lawsas Rehan Zakaryan2022FilmI'll Show You Mineas Priya2022FilmHouse Comes with a Birdas Langley2021FilmAlia's Birth2020TVThe Wildsas Rana Jadmani2020TVNever Have I Everas Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar2020TVDefending Jacobas Elizabeth Vogel2020TVMessiahas Sanjana Mirza2019FilmThe Dead Centeras Sarah Grey2019TVThe Actas Lakshmi Chandra2019FilmShareas Kerri2018TVSorry For Your Lossas Matt's Psychiatrist2018FilmAn Actor Preparesas Dr. Fisher2018FilmMile 22as Dorothy Brady2017FilmDaisy Wintersas Annabel Kumar2017TVRoom 104as Divya (voice)2017TVGypsyas Larin Inamdar2017FilmThe Circleas Dr. Jessica Villalobos2017FilmCarrie Pilbyas Fliss2017TVTakenas Judith Chapman2017FilmGrowing Up Smithas Nalini Bhatnagar2016TVThe Night Ofas Safar Khan2015TVBetter Call Saulas Dr. Maureen Bruckner2013TVThe Blacklistas Nirah Ahmad2013FilmThanks for Sharingas Lili Kazhani2013FilmYeh Jawaani Hai Deewanias Riyana2011FilmPeace, Love & Misunderstandingas Mira2011FilmDelhi Bellyas Menaka Vashisht2010TVRizzoli & Islesas Mrs. Jalbani2009TVNCIS: Los Angelesas Dr. Nitya Agarwal2009FilmKarma Callingas Quality Control2007FilmAwakeas Dr. Neyer's Nurse2005FilmModern Day Arranged Marriageas Suna2005FilmThe Weather Manas NY Pedestrian2005FilmDealbreakeras Fran's girlfriend2005TVMade in Hollywoodas Self2005TVStarvedas PJ2005TVNumb3rsas Tech #12004FilmShe Hate Meas Song's Girlfriend2001TVLaw & Order: Criminal Intentas Dr. Sikh1999TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitas Maya Samra1990TVLaw & Orderas Rehana Khemlani—TVLanternsas Zoe