Jane the Virgin
Shelly Bhalla is thrilled to be a part of the cast of “Jane the Virgin” and for playing Krishna, a gay Indian. The CW

“Jane the Virgin” fans were introduced to Krishna (Shelly Bhalla) in the second half of Season 3 of The CW series and she made everybody laugh with her perpetually intimidated stance and secret love for her boss, Petra Solano (Yael Grobglas).

Bhalla said in an interview with The Huffington Post that it’s actually a huge treat playing Krishna, who is one of the first few Indian characters on television who is gay. “I was a huge ‘Jane the Virgin’ fan and was thrilled when the audition came my way at the start of Season 2. I jumped at the chance to work on such a critically acclaimed show that embraces diversity in casting and has complex, strong women at the helm,” she said.

Because Krishna was described as a “nervous go-getter,” Bhalla decided to wear her own thick glasses to the audition, which the casting people later told her to bring to the set.

“While I was preparing for the audition, I factored in the comedy as well as Petra’s domineering character and decided that most of my interactions would be fueled by high stakes and PTSD-type-nerves!” she said. “The glasses and the crippling fear around Petra have become Krishna’s trademark!”

Krishna might even be a possible love interest for Petra next season, since executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman told TV Line she will have “a variety” of paramours in her “great, twisty, turn-y love life this year.”

Petra earlier bared her heart out to her former husband, Rafael (Justin Baldoni), but their relationship had a lot of bumps along the way. For one thing, Petra is still insecure about Rafael’s feelings for his baby mama Jane (Gina Rodriguez), leading her to kiss another guy.

But for now, Petra has more pressing things to worry about aside from her love life. Her twin sister Anezka is out for revenge, and even had a gun pointed towards her when Season 3 ended.

Deadline asked Urman if Petra is going to be safe, and her answer left fans worried. “Her life is definitely in danger! I can’t say whether or not she’ll pull the trigger, but I will say there will be a surprising sequence of events,” she said.

“Jane the Virgin” Season 4 will return on Oct. 13. at 9 p.m. EST. on The CW.