Prime Video's “Elle” Brings Elle Woods to 1995 Seattle

“Elle” premiered on Prime Video on July 1, 2024 as an eight-episode prequel to the 2001 film *Legally Blonde*. The series follows teenage Elle Woods, played by Lexi Minetree, as she and her parents move from Bel Air to Seattle in 1995, where she discovers a love for fashion, music, and the soap opera *Days of Our Lives* before eventually pursuing law.

People Magazine

Co-showrunners Laura Kittrell and Caroline Dries set the series in 1995 Seattle to contrast the original film’s Harvard backdrop and emphasize Elle’s underdog status. Kittrell noted the 2001 film’s timeline dictated the 1995 setting, and the city’s “countercultural rally” provided a vivid backdrop. Executive producer Reese Witherspoon, casting director Lauren Neustadter, and cameo actor James van der Beek also contribute.

IndieWire

Costume designer Sara Byblow drew Elle’s wardrobe from 1995 yearbooks, 1994 Claudia Schiffer campaigns, and a custom pink-plaid Vans shirt. Music supervisor Brienne Rose curated a soundtrack that mixes No Doubt’s “Just a Girl,” Garbage’s “I’m Only Happy When It Rains,” and original songs by Anna Waronker and Sleater-Kinney. The series also recreates the 1995 “Days of Our Lives” Dr. Marlena Evans possession scene.

IndieWire

Kittrell said the series uses the film’s heroine as a springboard, not a remake, to explore moments that forged Elle’s confidence. Dries emphasized preserving Elle’s identity while grounding her in historic Seattle and securing authentic “Days of Our Lives” footage. Byblow called the 1990s “the best era for clothing.” Rose described the soundtrack as a “map” of Elle’s emotional arc. Neustadter praised Minetree for honoring the character without imitation.

IndieWire

• “Well, if the movie takes place [in 2001], it must be 1995, so where can we put her that feels like the most specific to the time period but also doesn’t feel too similar to Harvard? Grunge-era Seattle felt like the perfect choice.” — Laura Kittrell, Co-showrunner

IndieWire

• “I really needed America to know what Marlena possessed looked like,” — Caroline Dries, Co-showrunner

People Magazine

• “She really felt like the Elle Woods thing to do was give every young woman an opportunity to try out if they wanted to,” — Lauren Neustadter, Executive Producer

People Magazine

• “Garbage was our perfect happy medium,” — Brienne Rose, Music Supervisor

IndieWire

Prime Video renewed “Elle” for a second season in early 2024; filming is complete. Creators hint the next arc will jump to 1996, intersecting with the Spice Girls era and extending Elle’s feminist storyline. A potential “Elle: The College Years” set at UCLA law school has also been mentioned.

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