Mindy Kaling on Her ‘The Office’ Legacy, the Status of ‘Legally Blonde 3’ and Planning a Return to Acting

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After spending time writing, acting in, and creating shows such as “The Office,” “The Mindy Project,” and more recently, producing a series of successful TV programs while also caring for her three young children, Mindy Kaling is now set to return to acting in front of the camera. In recent years, she has been absent from appearing in shows like “Never Have I Ever” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” but that’s about to change.

However, the desire to perform is resurfacing in her, especially following her recent viewing of “Never Have I Ever” alongside her young relatives. She mused, “As someone who stars in my own TV series and adores acting, I couldn’t help but wonder why I wasn’t part of the show about an Indian-American family.” She continued, “It was so well-crafted that I feared introducing myself into it might ruin its flow or divert attention.

In “Sex Lives,” Kaling humorously suggests that she might yet take on the role of an eccentric or unbalanced Latin teacher.

If we proceed to Season 4, I’d be thrilled,” she shares, expressing her admiration for the cast which inspires her to perform.

Apart from appearing on one of her shows, Kaling contemplates whether she might create a role for herself in a new production: “I wouldn’t need to be the main character in my own series if I was writing it. I would adore writing a show for an exceptional person and then playing a secondary role within it.

Add this new goal to Kaling’s list for 2025. She already has a full schedule, with her upcoming Netflix series “Running Point,” where Kate Hudson plays an ambitious president of a fictional basketball team (modeled after the real-life Los Angeles Lakers boss Jeannie Buss). Additionally, Kaling is collaborating with Dan Goor on “Legally Blonde 3,” and her company, Kaling International, is working on projects such as the CBS sitcom pilot “Zarna” starring comedian Zarna Garg.

To put it simply, although you might not see her on your TV screen as frequently, Mindy Kaling has by no means slowed down her work pace. Lately, she’s been receiving numerous honors, such as the National Medal of Arts in 2023 and the Norman Lear Achievement Award from the Producers Guild of America in 2024.

This month, as Kaling gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it’s a special occasion for her to reflect on the journey of her career so far and consider its future direction.

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With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this month, Kaling has a rare opportunity to look back at her career’s progression and plan where it’s heading next.

How do you feel before seeing your name etched alongside some of the most renowned figures in Tinseltown’s past, on the sidewalk no less?

It seems that, much like growing older, mentally I’m still in my twenties, working as a staff writer on “The Office.” However, there are moments when reality sets in, and I remember I’m actually 45 and have accomplished other things. This might stem from my work in comedy writing, but it feels as though if I ever pause to appreciate myself or engage in self-reflection, something unfortunate is bound to occur. It’s a trait that can be derided, like the most self-important characters on “The Office” or similar shows who take themselves too seriously.

Instead of simply receiving this recognition, I’ll make sure to genuinely appreciate it, acknowledging its value as a good role model and human being should. While I dislike the phrase “taking it in,” let me express my sincere gratitude towards the mysterious panel that deemed me worthy of this honor.

Because it kind of is like the real-life Dundies, right?

The Dundies are hilarious! It’s amusing not to seem overly enthused about the award I received, but I can’t hide my excitement. What makes it even more special is the whole ceremony surrounding it. Remember the iconic image of a celebrity sitting in front of their star, taking photos? That’s exactly what I’m looking forward to for myself. I have other awards and trophies, but this one is unique because you can actually visit it. As a Hindu, I won’t have a gravestone, so this serves as a sort of substitute. It’s quite nice.

Regardless of future events, your name will always be engraved in the annals of Hollywood legend.

This situation makes me feel uncertain about whether I truly deserve it, yet I strongly desire to keep living and building a career that, in the future, will be worthy of it.

You were 24 when you joined “The Office.” What does that stage of your career mean to you now?

Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the good fortune I had with that job, which marked my first step into offoff-Broadway theater. At the time, I didn’t belong to the WGA, and I didn’t have health insurance. Yet, the opportunity to meet basic needs was a joy in itself. However, the fact that I worked on the show for eight years, honing my skills in comedy writing and acting alongside stars like Steve Carell, Greg Daniels, B.J. Novak, and Mike Schur, was more than just a stroke of luck. Given my low expectations at the time, it feels incredibly fortunate to have learned from them for so many years. It was an education in writing and collaboration with exceptional individuals that has significantly shaped my career trajectory.

The series is currently being re-watched by Generation Z and Generation Alpha. It’s likely that you’re now becoming familiar to children who weren’t even born yet when it first aired.

It’s been really delightful to experience this. My books and TV shows seem to resonate most with young women, women of color, and those around my age who appreciate what I have to share. What’s fantastic about “The Office” is that it features these groups, but the audience who approach me at the airport is quite diverse. Often, I meet 15-year-old boys who excitedly tell me they recognize me from “The Office.” They are truly passionate about the show, and their enthusiasm is heartwarming and genuine.

Initially, my aspiration was to craft a narrative revolving around driven women navigating urban landscapes with substantial disposable income. However, an unexpected turn led me to pen stories for a diverse group of twelve individuals working in an office in Scranton, Pennsylvania. As the adage goes, “Life doesn’t always give you what you want, but it provides what you need.” This opportunity served as my necessity, enabling me to hone my skill in capturing the unique voices of people distinct from myself.

Moreover, it provided you the opportunity to ultimately shape the narrative as desired, concerning a young, unattached urban woman, which became “The Mindy Project.

I hold a deep affection for that particular series, as I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with its brilliant comedy writers even after it wrapped up. It was part of one of the most entertaining teams I’ve ever been associated with. In my honest opinion, it was a trailblazer, being ahead of its time. While I don’t act as frequently these days, the moments spent playing Mindy Lahiri are among the happiest in my career. She was a character of unparalleled eccentricity, humor, and unpredictability. The show managed to stay on air for 117 episodes, which I am eternally grateful for. To this day, I remain thankful to Craig Erwich from Disney Television Group for rescuing the show from Fox and giving it a new life on Hulu.

Speaking top billing and having such extensive on-camera dialogue was both enjoyable and demanding, offering a unique experience distinct from “The Office.” While “The Office” enjoyed immense success, “The Mindy Project” faced challenges with ratings. That 15-year journey, encompassing “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” was nothing short of a thrilling roller coaster ride. I believe it has provided me with valuable perspective and an authentic sense of humor about my career and enduring impact.

Tell me more about “Running Point.” What are you excited for people to see?

The TV series “Running Point” shares many characteristics with my previous works, such as a leading character who is an accomplished woman, past the prime of youth, living a glamorous life and working in an office environment. Jeannie Buss, one of the executive producers, has experienced a life that’s not only extraordinary but also worthy of a movie script. Her family is known for their dramatic flair. She’s had to dismiss one of her siblings from their professional relationship. Additionally, she was romantically involved with the head coach of the Lakers.

I’m thrilled for fans of my shows to witness Kate Hudson in this part, as it’s been a joy to collaborate with many young adults. However, writing a TV series for a renowned actor like her was an entirely new experience. Yet, I feel fortunate to have had the chance to work alongside Kate on this project. I can’t wait to share my passion for basketball, as there’s plenty of authentic basketball lingo in the show. We put in a lot of effort to ensure all the details were accurate through extensive research.

With the recent acquisition of the multi-camera comedy project “Zarna” at CBS, hailing from Warner Bros. TV, what are your aspirations for Kaling International?

Everything’s moving smoothly. I truly enjoy making shows, yet the process is incredibly detailed and demanding. It’s delightful to bring a show to life, without always needing to dive into Final Draft for scriptwriting.

Darlene Hunt, the co-creator of the show with Zarna, has an impressive track record in TV shows. In fact, Zarna is my favorite comedian I’ve discovered during the pandemic. It’s a pleasure to provide feedback on their creative process, although they are the writers themselves. After becoming virtual friends through Instagram, Zarna started performing more stand-up and expressed interest in collaborating on a show. The project seems like it was tailor-made for Kaling International to produce.

Working at Warner Bros., engaged in multi-camera setups, feels like I’m walking in the footsteps of a tradition I’ve been part of for six years. Now, my ambition lies in penning a dramatic script and potentially taking on the director’s role.

What’s the status of “Legally Blonde 3” — or any other upcoming projects?

Dan Goor and I recently completed a draft for “Legally Blonde 3,” but due to confidentiality, I can’t share details about it, except that we submitted it before Christmas. There are some projects I’m involved with now, which are still in their preliminary stages, making it premature to discuss them at this point. Lastly, I’m a producer for an amazing live-action short titled “Anuja,” which made it to the Oscar shortlist. Working on this project has been captivating as I delve into the intricacies of its production process.

On February 18, at 11:30 a.m., Mindy Kaling will be bestowed with her star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6533 Hollywood Boulevard.

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2025-02-18 19:48