The “Legally Blonde” prequel series has set its official premiere date on Amazon Prime Video, with the streamer also renewing the show for a second season.
“Elle” Season 1 will debut in its entirety on Prime Video on July 1. Production on the second season will begin this spring. Per the official logline, the show “follows Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first ‘Legally Blonde’ film.”
“Twenty-five years after the world met Elle Woods for the first time, it’s a dream come true to share the story of how she became the unstoppable force we all fell in love with,” said “Legally Blonde” star and series executive produer Reese Witherspoon. “Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle’s fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career. I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike. Working with our incredible Hello Sunshine team, Amazon and our visionary writers and directors to bring Elle’s high school journey to life has been a tremendous joy. I can’t wait to share Season One with the world and start rolling cameras on Season Two!”
Along with Minetree, the cast of the series includes June Diane Raphael as Elle’s mother Eva and Tom Everett Scott as her father Wyatt, as well as Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker. Recurring cast members include Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Matt Ober, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, Lisa Yamada, and James Van Der Beek.
“’Elle’ captures the heart, confidence, and optimism that made Elle Woods an enduring cultural icon, while giving audiences a fresh and deeply personal coming-of-age story,” said Peter Friedlander, global head of television for Amazon MGM Studios. “Ordering a second season speaks to our belief in the creative vision and the incredible team behind the series, and we’re excited for audiences to experience Elle’s journey starting with Season One.”
“Elle” was created by Laura Kittrell, who serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries. Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, and Marc Platt and Amanda Brown also serve as executive producers. Jason Moore directed the first two episodes and also serves as an executive producer.
The first “Legally Blonde” film was a box office success, grossing over $140 million worldwide following its release in 2001. The sequel “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde” was released in 2003. A direct-to-video third film came out in 2009, though Witherspoon did not star but did serve as a producer. A stage musical based on the first film debuted on Broadway in 2007, receiving multiple Tony and Drama Desk nominations.
