The new Elle prequel series on Prime Video tells the story of a 16-year-old Elle Woods before the events of Legally Blonde. While some fans questioned whether the show should be considered part of the official story, the creators say Reese Witherspoon is fully on board.
“It was Reese’s idea to do a show about Elle Woods in high school,” co-showrunner Caroline Dries said. “She has embraced what we’ve come up with. So I would say, yes, it’s officially canon now.”
The creative team said they worked hard to make sure the series fits with the original movie. “We were very aware of making sure everything tracked and also set up the movie perfectly,” co-showrunner Laura Kittrell explained. “There was never anything we wanted to do that fought what people love about the movie.”
The show even includes small callbacks to Legally Blonde, like Elle meeting her future dog, Bruiser, and references to lines from the original film.
In the series, Elle moves from Bel-Air to Seattle after her father’s job changes. The move forces her to adjust to a completely different school and make new friends. The producers say these experiences help explain how Elle became the confident young woman fans meet in Legally Blonde.
One example is a pool party where Elle shows up in a bright pink bikini, only to discover that everyone else is there to skateboard in an empty pool. Kittrell said the moment is meant to mirror the famous bunny costume scene from Legally Blonde.
“In the movie, she shows up in the bunny costume and takes a moment to feel bad about herself, then immediately gathers herself and goes in with full confidence,” Kittrell said. “We thought, well, you have to fall flat on your face one time and feel bad before you can get to be that confident person.”
The show’s star, Lexi Minetree, also praised Reese Witherspoon for supporting her throughout filming.
“Honestly, she’s been so supportive throughout this entire process,” Minetree said. “The fact that I can text her or voice memo her at any point in the day and ask her for advice… is absolutely incredible.”
Minetree added that Witherspoon’s biggest advice wasn’t just about playing Elle—it was about taking care of herself while filming.
“When you film a TV show like this, it’s really crazy,” Minetree said. “You’re on set for 15 hours a day… So I’m not only lucky that I got to have her there as a mentor, but also these wonderful castmates here with me.”
