James Van Der Beek Joins ‘Legally Blonde’ Prequel Series ‘Elle’ as High School Drama Unfolds

May 16, 2025: Actor James Van Der Beek is set to join the cast of Prime Video’s upcoming series Elle, a prequel to the beloved Legally Blonde film franchise. The new show will take audiences back to Elle Woods’ formative high school years, revealing the moments and influences that helped shape her signature style, confidence, and legal ambition.

Van Der Beek will portray Dean Wilson, a recurring character who serves as the city’s new mayoral candidate and the current school district superintendent, adding a political dimension to the storyline.

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Leading the cast is Lexi Minetree as a teenage Elle Woods, with June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott playing her parents, Eva and Wyatt. Rounding out the cast are Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker.

The series is created by Laura Kittrell, who will also serve as co-showrunner alongside Caroline Dries. The project features Reese Witherspoon, who famously portrayed Elle Woods in the original films, as an executive producer along with Lauren Neustadter and Marc Platt.

Director Jason Moore (known for Pitch Perfect) will helm the first two episodes, setting the tone for the highly anticipated series.

Elle promises to offer a fresh perspective on the Legally Blonde universe by diving into the early life of one of pop culture’s most enduring characters, exploring how her high school experiences paved the way to Harvard Law—and beyond.