Amazon Prime Video’s “Elle” Season 1: Production, Renewal, and James Van Der Beek’s Final Role

In January 2026 Amazon renewed the “Legally Blonde” prequel “Elle,” which follows a teenage Elle Woods in 1995. The series premiered on Prime Video on July 1, 2026 and was reported by Amazon as the platform’s most-viewed show in its first week. Showrunners Laura Kittrell and Caroline Dries described the two weeks before the debut as a “panic” for cast members trying to avoid spoilers while the already-shot Season 2 remained under wraps.

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“Elle” reimagines the iconic 2001 film by transporting Elle Woods (played by newcomer Lexi Minetree) from Bel-Air to Seattle after her plastic-surgeon father, Wyatt (Tom Everett Scott), botches a procedure. Set against a grunge-infused Pacific Northwest, the eight-episode first season mirrors the movie’s tone with episode titles quoting famous lines, while also weaving a plot about misappropriated school funds.

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• Laura Kittrell – creator and co-showrunner.

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• Caroline Dries – co-showrunner, praised working with Van Der Beek.

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• Lexi Minetree – leads as Elle Woods, noted for capturing Reese Witherspoon’s mannerisms.

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• James Van Der Beek – cast as superintendent and mayoral candidate Dean Wilson; filmed while undergoing treatment for Stage 3 colorectal cancer. His performance was his final role; he died on February 11, 2026, at age 48.

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• Jason Moore – executive producer who had previously collaborated with Van Der Beek on “Dawson’s Creek.”

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• June Diane Raphael – portrays Elle’s mother Eva, who joins Wilson’s campaign in the storyline.

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Amazon highlighted the series’ launch success, citing viewership data that placed “Elle” at the top of Prime Video’s weekly rankings. Kittrell and Dries emphasized their intent to protect the narrative from spoilers while promoting the show’s nostalgic 1990s aesthetic. Executive producer Moore noted that Van Der Beek’s involvement brought “a hero” of his generation onto the set, and the production added a dedication in his memory after his February 11 passing.

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• “It has been quite a time,” — Laura Kittrell, creator

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• “Amazon wouldn’t want it any other way,” — Caroline Dries, co-showrunner

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• “We were so flattered that he wanted to do this show to begin with,” — Caroline Dries on Van Der Beek

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• “It really is a time where I don’t feel my pain,” — James Van Der Beek (as told to Jason Moore)

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• “When his name was up on the audition, it was great. Since he turns out to be a bad guy, I was like ‘What fun for him,” — Jason Moore, executive producer

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• “Oh yeah, we’re good, we don’t have to worry about that part. Great!” — Laura Kittrell on casting Lexi Minetree

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