Prime Video has given a major vote of confidence to the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel, renewing Elle for a second season before its first season has even aired. The streamer also announced the series will debut globally on July 1, 2026, and released the first poster featuring its new star, Lexi Minetree, as a young Elle Woods. This early renewal is a clear signal of Amazon’s strong belief in the series and its potential to expand the beloved franchise for a new generation.
What the Early Season 2 Renewal Means for the Show
An early renewal before a show’s premiere is uncommon and suggests the streaming service has significant faith in the project. This decision allows the producers to plan a longer story arc with confidence and often means production on the next season can begin smoothly. For fans, it guarantees more of Elle’s story beyond the initial episodes.
“Ordering a second season speaks to our belief in the creative vision and the incredible team behind the series,” said Peter Friedlander, global head of television for Amazon MGM Studios.
The series is a joint production between Amazon MGM Studios and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company. Witherspoon, who originated the role of Elle Woods in the 2001 film and its 2003 sequel, is a hands-on executive producer for the prequel.
Elle Series Release Information and Story Details
Elle will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The first season will be released in full on the service on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
The story is set in the 1990s and follows Elle Woods during her high school years in Beverly Hills. The show will explore the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic, optimistic young woman who later famously enrolls at Harvard Law School. The official description states the series will show “how she became the unstoppable force we all fell in love with”.
Meet the New Cast Led by Lexi Minetree
After a nationwide search, newcomer Lexi Minetree was cast in February 2025 to play the teenage Elle Woods. Witherspoon was deeply involved in the casting process.
“Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle’s fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career,” said Reese Witherspoon.
The main cast includes established actors playing Elle’s parents. June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie) will portray Elle’s mother, Eva Woods, and Tom Everett Scott (The Summer I Turned Pretty) will play her father, Wyatt Woods.
The series also features a group of young actors playing Elle’s high school friends and classmates. The main ensemble includes:
- Gabrielle Policano as Liz
- Jacob Moskovitz as Miles
- Chandler Kinney as Kimberly
- Zac Looker as Dustin
Recurring cast members include Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, and James Van Der Beek, who will play a character named Dean Wilson.
The Creative Team Behind the Prequel Series
The series was created by Laura Kittrell, whose previous work includes High School and Insecure. Kittrell also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries, known for her work on The Vampire Diaries and Smallville.
Jason Moore, the director of the hit film Pitch Perfect, directed the first two episodes of Elle and is also an executive producer. Other executive producers include Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter of Hello Sunshine, Marc Platt (producer of the original films), and Amanda Brown, author of the novel that inspired Legally Blonde.
Also Read:
The Original Legally Blonde Franchise
The original Legally Blonde movie was released in 2001 and became a major box office success and cultural touchstone. It starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a fashionable sorority woman who defies stereotypes by excelling at Harvard Law School. A sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, followed in 2003. The franchise also inspired a Broadway musical in 2007.
For years, plans for a third film were discussed but never materialized. The development of this prequel series represents a new direction for expanding the universe, focusing on Elle’s formative years instead of continuing her story after the films.
Also Read: Your Friends and Neighbors Season 2 Release Date Confirmed for April 2026, James Marsden Joins Cast
