Poorna Jagannathan joins Scott Foley in Hulu's political drama 'Young Americans'

Poorna Jagannathan joins Hulu's Young Americans pilot as a series regular, with Natalia Leite set to direct the drama

Actor Poorna Jagannathan has joined the cast of Hulu’s upcoming drama pilot Young Americans as a series regular, while filmmaker Natalia Leite has been selected to direct the project.

Jagannathan, known for her roles in Never Have I Ever and Hulu’s Deli Boys, will play Maya Washburn, a controversial senator and former close friend and political ally of the US President, played by Scott Foley. Her character’s son, portrayed by Sam Rechner, becomes romantically involved with the President’s daughter, played by Billie Boullet.

The political drama is set at Capitol Crest Academy in Washington, D.C., where the children of the country’s most influential families navigate teenage relationships and rivalries against the backdrop of their parents’ political ambitions. A forbidden romance between students from opposing political families threatens to intensify tensions, amid secrets, scandals and power struggles.

Jagannathan joins previously announced cast members Foley, Boullet, Rechner, Mia Isaac, Oscar Winter and Lauren Mei.

Leite, who previously directed episodes of Hulu’s Black Cake and worked on The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, will direct the pilot. Her appointment reunites her with Bruce Miller, creator of The Handmaid’s Tale, who is also executive producing Young Americans.

The series comes from writers and executive producers Chris Hutton and Eddie O’Keefe. Miller and Priscilla Poriand are also executive producers through White Oak, while 20th Television is producing the pilot.

Jagannathan recently appeared in HBO’s Lanterns alongside Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler. Her other credits include Apple’s Wolfs, and she is set to appear in Apple TV’s crime drama Nocturne, premiering October 30.