Spoiler warning: Spoilers for Never Have I Ever Season 4 follow. The ending to Netflix’s beloved Never Have I Ever might’ve hinted at a spinoff! Season 4 was a full circle for Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and the whole Sherman Oaks crew. The central theme throughout Season 4 is growth and maturity. We see Devi embrace change which is new for her. There’s a tear-jerker scene between Devi and “Doc” Dr. Jamie Ryan (Niecy Nash), which spotlights how far Devi has come, emphasizing her next transition. The unlikely main character has won millions of hearts, making the show one of the most popular on Netflix after its premiere in 2020.
The series and season end with a small glimpse into the lives of the Sherman Oaks crew after high school graduation. The very last scene shows Devi and Ben (Jaren Lewison) cozied up in Devi’s dorm room, but there is one clue leaving fans to believe there may be more to come.
Why do fans think a Never Have I Ever spinoff could be possible?
The biggest hint toward a spinoff comes at the end of Season 4’s (and the series) finale episode. Devi’s narrator, 1980s tennis star John McEnroe, gives his final words, closing the series with “Signing off for now.” The “mysterious ending “for now” has fans wondering what may be next for the series. Besides this clue, a few of the Sherman Oak students — including Devi and Ben took a class field trip to different colleges in New York and New Jersey. There’s a new character introduced who helps Devi see some of the reality of college life.
What could a potential spinoff be about?
A spinoff isn’t impossible, as Devi and Ben are only a state away at their respective schools, Princeton and Columbia, as a long-distance couple. Devi’s older cousin, Kamala (Richa Moorjani), also took a new position in Baltimore, Maryland, only a few states away from where Devi is in New Jersey. A potential spinoff could center the life of new characters or another Sherman Oak student. In an August 2022 interview from Popsugar with Mindy Kaling, Kaling pitched Trent (Benjamin Norris), aka Paxton-Hall Yoshida’s (Darren Barnet) BFF, as a possible main character. She says, “He really makes me laugh. … I would definitely watch that show. I’d definitely like to write that show.”
What has creator Mindy Kaling said about continuing the show?
In the same conversation with Popsugar, Kaling explained why she and the co-creators chose to end NHIE with four seasons, stating, “In the beginning, I thought, ‘Oh, I could do this show forever and ever,’ but you see these kids, and it’s scary how old they look by the end of the season.” Many of the cast members who play Sherman Oaks students are in their early 20s, so they looked a bit younger starting the show roughly three years ago. Kaling said, “This is why high school shows wrap it up in four seasons.”
It’s not lost on the show’s creators that fans are disappointed to say goodbye to Devi’s shenanigans and the Sherman Oaks crew. Lang Fisher, who co-created NHIE with Kaling, told Entertainment Weekly, “We felt like this is it, this is good. We can tell this tale and end it the way we want to on a high note. … Finish out senior year, and it will feel satisfying.”
When asked about the possibility of a spinoff, Kaling said, “Absolutely. I would consider doing that if there was a demand.” This may have been the reason behind the finale’s mysterious closing words. It’s reassuring that the co-creators want to continue the legacy and adventures as much as the fans. There has been no official confirmation of a spinoff, but keep hope alive, besties!