'Elle' Sets Summer 2026 Premiere Wait At Prime Video; James Van Der Beek To Recur Like Mad

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If you would’ve told me Prime Video would walk away with the meatiest Upfronts for my interests, when most of what was gotten here is in the interest of “What is Amazon doing with MGM properties?” I would say TV is dire. Still, Prime Video’s Legally Blonde prequel series Elle has had its premiere window announced, and it was star Lexi Minetree who confirmed it would be premiering in summer 2026.

Minetree plays young Elle Woods, while Reese Witherspoon, who originated the role in the original films and now executive produces, popped in virtually to share a production update which was that the series is officially two episodes into its production. “I so loved seeing all of you at the upfronts last year and telling you about our new show, Elle, where we go back to high school in the ’90s with Elle Woods,” Witherspoon said. “When I was talking about this last year with you, it was just a dream, and now is a dream come true, because the teams in Hello Sunshine and Prime Video have been working so hard since I last saw you. I am excited to report that we are in production, and not only in production, we are two episodes in,” she continued. “I was on set last week, and I got to see the whole cast and everybody who’s worked so hard to make this dream come true.”

Prime Video’s 'Elle' Surrounds Woods With Three More As Production Begins

Minetree leads a cast that includes Chandler Kinney as upperclassman Kimberly, Gabrielle Policano as Elle’s opposite Liz, Jacob Moskovitz as star athlete Miles who is crushing on Elle, Zac Looker as classmate, sparring partner, and social justice rebel Dustin; Jessica Belkin as best friend Madison; and Logan Shroyer as Madison’s cousin and Elle’s crush Josh. Back home, there’s June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as her parents Eva and Wyatt. There’s also Amy Pietz as no-nonsense school secretary Donna, recurrers including Chloe Wepper as Ms. Burke, Elle’s chemistry teacher and the high school cheer team’s choreographer, David Burtka as Chad, neighbor to the Woods family, and Kayla Maisonet and Lisa Yamada as Tiffany and Amber, Bel Air high school friends in Elle’s social circle, with Brad Harder in an unknown role. But before the week was up, one more recurrer would be revealed: Dawson’s Creek and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 star James Van Der Beek as school district superintendent Dean Wilson who has just entered the city’s mayoral race.

Creator Laura Kittrell, whose work includes High School and Insecure, is co-showrunner and executive producer of Elle alongside Caroline Dries. Lauren Neustadter, Lauren Kisilevsky, Marc Platt, and the aforementioned Witherspoon also serve as executive producers. Jason Moore is directing the first two episodes and the series is produced by Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon’s company, and Amazon MGM Studios.

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Source: Deadline