Get those fingers ready Legally Blonde fans, because it’s time to bend and snap!
In the highly-anticipated prequel series Elle, which is a follow-up Legally Blonde, the 2001 hit film starring Reese Witherspoon, the quintessential blonde in her formative high school years. And yes, her trusty companion dog Bruiser is along for the ride.
But what can we expect from the bubbly Elle Woods? Is she thriving or simply surviving her adolescent years? And will we see the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair or Jennifer Coolidge in the show?
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming prequel, Elle and it’s new leading star Lexi Minetree.
What is Elle about?
As a fish-out-of-water in the Harvard-based Legally Blonde film, Elle Woods has always found strength in adversity and as a result, she triumphed over her peers as a class student.
“What, like it’s hard?”
The prequel, Elle, follows a similar path to its predecessor as Elle Woods navigates the complexities of a new high school when her family relocates to Seattle. As a literal bright spark in a gloomy setting, Elle doesn’t fit in with her peers and she’ll need to rely on her charm to forge new friendships and confront challenges.
With her mum by her side, played by June Diane Raphael, Elle discovers that the ties that bind you could be the very thing that propels you forward in life.
Set in the 1990s, fans can expect some nostalgic fashion and throwbacks as the series dives into a much-loved era.
Check out the trailer for Elle below:
Who is in the cast of Elle?
Lexi Minetree is at the heart of the series as Elle Woods, a role she won after an open casting call went out to the world in 2024. Six months later, Lexi was on set in the role of a lifetime. And spoiler, she’s actually a brunette in real life!
Born in 2001—the same year Legally Blonde arrived in cinemas—Lexi Minetree may have seemed destined to step into Elle Woods’ Prada heels.
During a meeting with TV WEEK, Lexi says she was pleasantly surprised when she first met Reese. Given the actress’ A-list calibre and list of accolades, Lexi was understandably nervous. Prior to Elle, Lexi has dipped her toes into the industry with small roles of Law & Order: SVU, among others. But this is her first leading role.
“The first time that I met her, [I was surprised] how warm she was and how genuinely kind she is,” Lexi, 25, tells TV WEEK. “Because when you observe someone online or through the press or through their movies, you always hope that they are a certain way. But they say never meet your heroes because sometimes they’re not exactly what you’d expect. But she is just as wonderful as you would imagine.”
As for her parents, June Diane Raphael stars as Elle’s mother Eva, and Tom Everett Scott as her father Wyatt.
The series also stars the late James Van Der Beek, who died February 11, 2026, after a battle with colorectal cancer. He stars as Dean Wilson, the school district superintendent and candidate for city mayor. This will be his final credited role.
The supporting cast includes Jacob Moskovitz, Gabrielle Policano, Chandler Kinney, Zac Looker, and Amy Pietz.
Will Reese Witherspoon appear in Elle?
While Legally Bonde recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, conversations about what a reboot could like began circulating through Hollywood years earlier. Reese Witherspoon then floated the idea to Lauren Neustadter, her partner at production company Hello Sunshine, and the pair began cooking up ideas.
While we are yet to receive confirmation on whether Reese or the other original stars, such as Selma Blair, Jennifer Coolidge or Luke Wilson, will appear in the prequel series, it’s unlikely given their timeline in the story.
However, Lexi has discovered some coincidences between herself and the Oscar-winning star. In preparation for Legally Blonde, Reese studied at a sorority house at the University of Southern California. Years later, Lexi studied there.
“I went to USC and the sorority that Reece went to study was the sorority I was in!” Lexi, who was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, says with a laugh. “What a coincidence that is. She was telling me about it and was like, ‘I went to a Theta at USC’. I was like, ‘Wait, I’m a Theta at USC!’ That is spooky.”
As we wait for season two – yes, there is one coming – Lexi is full of gratitude for a character who, that like her predecessor, has changed her life.
“Reese really did put her stamp on it [the character] and she also poured so much love into it. I feel very grateful that she’s passed the torch in such a lovely way.”
Where can I watch Elle in Australia?
Elle is available now on Prime Video.
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