Elle Woods’ Origin Story Takes Center Stage: Prime Video Orders Legally Blonde Prequel Series
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Banner Presents “Elle” Series, Exploring the Teenage Years of Iconic Character
Prime Video is set to unveil “Elle,” a prequel series to the beloved Legally Blonde franchise, marking the first big MGM title to spawn a TV adaptation for the streaming platform. Produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, the series delves into the formative years of Elle Woods, the charismatic protagonist of the original film series.
Penned by Laura Kittrell, known for her work on “High School” and “Insecure,” Elle chronicles Elle Woods’ high school journey, unveiling the life events that shaped her into the confident and iconic figure adored by audiences worldwide. Set years before the events depicted in the first Legally Blonde film, the series offers insight into Elle’s adolescence, providing a deeper understanding of the character’s evolution leading up to her Harvard Law endeavors.
Witherspoon expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I truly couldn’t be more excited about this series! 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.” The series, she added, fulfills a long-held dream of bringing Elle’s backstory to life on screen.
Executive produced by Kittrell, Witherspoon, and the Hello Sunshine team, including Lauren Neustadter and Lauren Kisilevsky, along with Legally Blonde movie franchise producer Marc Platt, “Elle” promises to captivate audiences with its exploration of one of Hollywood’s most beloved characters. Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, expressed his excitement for the project, noting, “Reese and Hello Sunshine’s vision for this series, coupled with Laura Kittrell’s winning voice, made this show completely undeniable.”
The decision to explore Elle Woods’ origins comes as part of Amazon’s broader strategy to leverage the rich intellectual property of the MGM library following its acquisition of the storied studio. Witherspoon’s close association with the franchise made her collaboration a natural fit for the project.
The Legally Blonde franchise, which kicked off in 2001 with the debut film written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, propelling Witherspoon to superstardom. Subsequent sequels and spinoffs have further solidified the franchise’s place in pop culture, with “Elle” poised to offer fans a fresh perspective on the beloved character’s journey.
