Reese Witherspoon has officially revealed the first look at the highly anticipated Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, offering fans a glimpse of what’s to come. The actress and producer shared an exciting photo on Instagram on April 2, 2025, showcasing Lexi Minetree in the role of a young Elle Woods, marking the beginning of production on the prequel to the beloved 2001 film.
In the Instagram post, Witherspoon shared a shot of Minetree, who is seen smiling while taking a phone call in bed. The image offers a sneak peek into the character’s high school years, long before Elle Woods became the iconic Harvard law student played by Witherspoon. The caption read: “Harvard was hard. High School was harder. Our new series, Elle, is now in production!”
The announcement comes nearly a year after Prime Video revealed it was partnering with Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, to produce the prequel series. The show, which will explore the formative years of Elle Woods, aims to delve into the experiences that shaped the character into the confident, stylish lawyer audiences came to love in the Legally Blonde franchise.
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Witherspoon is returning to the world of Elle Woods as an executive producer for Elle, along with Lauren Neustadter, Lauren Kisilevsky, Marc Platt, and Laura Kittrell, the creator of the show. Kittrell is known for her work on Insecure and High School.
In a statement about the project, Witherspoon expressed excitement for fans to learn more about Elle’s teenage years. “Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do. What could be better than that?” Witherspoon said.
The series will focus on the high school experiences that contributed to Elle’s distinctive character, combining her iconic sense of self with the personal challenges she faced while growing up. Elle will explore the moments that helped shape the young woman audiences later came to adore in the Legally Blonde films.
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From Audition to Role: Lexi Minetree’s Big Break as Elle Woods
In February 2025, Witherspoon revealed that Lexi Minetree had been cast as the new Elle Woods, after an extensive open casting call. The announcement came through a heartwarming Instagram video where Witherspoon surprised Minetree with the good news. The moment featured a video of Minetree recreating the famous Harvard video essay from the first Legally Blonde movie, showcasing her performance skills and capturing the spirit of the iconic character.
“Your audition tape was amazing, as we talked about,” Witherspoon said in the video, before pausing dramatically to deliver the good news. “We just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to audition anymore because you got the part. You’re Elle Woods!”
Minetree, clearly elated, shared the same video on her social media, expressing her excitement and gratitude for the role. “Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to @reesewitherspoon for handing me down Elle Woods,” Minetree wrote. “I already love her so, so much, I promise she’s in good hands. P.S. thank you for showing me how amazing I am going to look in the future, soooo looking forward to that:).”
The announcement sparked excitement among Legally Blonde fans, who have longed for a deeper dive into Elle Woods’ backstory. With Minetree’s passion for the role and Witherspoon’s mentorship, many are eagerly anticipating the prequel series.
An Iconic Legacy: The Return of Elle Woods
Elle arrives as the latest addition to the Legally Blonde franchise, which first captivated audiences in 2001. The original film, starring Witherspoon as Elle Woods, follows a fashionable and determined sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, only to discover her own potential as a legal powerhouse. The film was a massive hit and became a cultural touchstone, especially for women seeking empowerment through their education and careers.
The success of Legally Blonde led to a sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), and a Broadway musical adaptation. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Elle Woods’ story ever since. Witherspoon’s involvement in the franchise has kept the character’s legacy alive, with a third Legally Blonde film announced in 2020.
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However, the prequel, Elle, provides an exciting opportunity for a fresh perspective on the beloved character, allowing fans to see her as a young, ambitious teenager who is just starting to navigate the world with the same determination and flair that would later define her in law school and beyond.
What’s Next for Elle Woods?
In addition to Elle, Witherspoon continues to expand her career in the entertainment industry. As the founder of Hello Sunshine, she has focused on producing content that celebrates strong female characters and stories that empower women. With Elle, Witherspoon adds another layer to the Legally Blonde legacy, offering fans a deeper understanding of Elle Woods’ path to becoming the trailblazing lawyer that has inspired generations.
While fans eagerly await the series, Witherspoon’s statement about the show hints at a vibrant mix of humor, heart, and classic Elle Woods charm. “What could be better than that?” Witherspoon asked in her statement, a question that fans are sure to be answering with excitement when Elle debuts on Prime Video.
As production on Elle continues, anticipation grows for what is sure to be a fun and empowering look back at the origins of one of Hollywood’s most iconic characters.
