Elle Woods’ origin story starts this July

Elle, the long-awaited prequel series inspired by the iconic film, premieres 1 July on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories. And before anyone’s even seen a single episode? Yep, it’s already been renewed for Season Two. Bend and snap, indeed.

Set years before Harvard, courtroom mic drops, and perfectly coordinated pink suits, Season One follows Elle Woods in high school, diving into the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman audiences first met in the original film. It’s a coming-of-age rewind that promises friendships, setbacks, confidence-building moments, and the early sparks of the Elle Woods we all know and love.

“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,” Reese Witherspoon said in a statement announcing the series.

She also praised newcomer Lexi Minetree, who steps into the role of a younger Elle. “Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle’s fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career,” according to Witherspoon. “I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike.”

Elle is created by Laura Kittrell (High School, Insecure), who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries. Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) directed the first two episodes and executive produces. Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Marc Platt, and Amanda Brown round out the executive producer team.

As for the cast, Minetree leads as Elle, joined by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as her parents. The ensemble is rounded out by a mix of fresh faces and familiar names, including James Van Der Beek in a recurring role.

Bottom line: Prime Video is betting big on Elle Woods’ teenage years—and judging by that early Season Two pickup, they’re already confident audiences will be totally obsessed. Don’t worry. She’s still blonde. She’s still brilliant. She’s just getting started.