Prime Video is doubling down on its confidence in the upcoming "Legally Blonde" prequel series, "Elle," by granting it an early Season 2 renewal ahead of its July 1 premiere. The announcement signals the streamer's high expectations for the series, which explores the formative years of Elle Woods, the character made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the original 2001 film.
"Elle" stars Lexi Minetree as the young Elle Woods, navigating high school and discovering the experiences that would shape her into the confident and stereotype-defying woman who later conquers Harvard Law School. Set in the '90s, the series promises a fresh and personal coming-of-age story that will resonate with both fans of the original films and new audiences.
The series boasts a strong supporting cast, including June Diane Raphael as Elle's mother, Eva, and Tom Everett Scott as her father, Wyatt. Gabrielle Policano, Chandler Kinney, Jacob Moskovitz, Jessica Belkin, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, Lisa Yamada, and James Van Der Beek also feature in the series.
Reese Witherspoon, who is also backing the show as executive producer, expressed her excitement about the project. "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," Witherspoon said. She also praised Lexi Minetree, stating, "Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle's fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career".
Amazon MGM Studios Head of Television, Peter Friedlander, echoed Witherspoon's sentiments, stating, "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". He further explained that the early renewal for 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".
Laura Kittrell, the creator and co-showrunner of "Elle," along with Caroline Dries, will also serve as executive producers. Other executive producers include Lauren Neustadter, Marc Platt, Amanda Brown, and Jason Moore, who also directed the first two episodes of the series.
Production for the second season is slated to begin this spring.
The original "Legally Blonde" film was a box office success, grossing $142 million from an $18 million budget and receiving positive reviews. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Witherspoon was nominated for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
As fans eagerly await the premiere of "Elle" on July 1, the early Season 2 renewal suggests that Prime Video is confident that this prequel will capture the same magic and cultural impact as the original "Legally Blonde".
