Menik Gooneratne, the Sri Lankan-Australian actress and writer born in the UK, is gaining attention for her role as Laxmi in the Apple TV+ sci-fi series Pluribus. The show, created by Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame, follows disgruntled fantasy author Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) as one of the few humans left after an alien hive mind virus devastates Earth. Gooneratne's character, Laxmi, is a fellow survivor who refuses to accept that her family has lost their humanity, creating tension with Carol's quest for a cure.
Beyond her on-screen work, Gooneratne has a notable connection to Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page. The two attended the 2021 Emmy Awards together, sparking speculation, but they are simply friends who worked together on the 2018 film Mortal Engines. Gooneratne also shared a rare personal update in March 2024, posting on Instagram about her brother's wedding with a playful caption.
Australian audiences will recognise Gooneratne from her 111-episode stint as headteacher Priya Kapoor on Neighbours from 2011 to 2013. The Kapoors were the first family of Sri Lankan descent on the show, and Priya's storylines included an affair with Paul Robinson. Gooneratne had previously appeared on Neighbours in 2000 as a different character. Her other credits include roles in Knowing, Lion, NCIS, and Star Trek: Picard.
With four episodes left in Pluribus's debut season and a second season confirmed, viewers can expect more of Gooneratne's character as Carol continues to defy the hive mind.
