Few romantic comedies have stayed as beloved, decades after their release, as Legally Blonde. So when a prequel series landed, I braced myself for disappointment.
Instead, the show "Elle" proves that you really can honor the legacy of a cult film — as long as you do it with care.
As Elle Woods, Reese Witherspoon didn't just create a memorable character. She gave us a role model who showed that kindness, intelligence and femininity are not mutually exclusive.
That's exactly why I sat down to watch the prequel with such mixed feelings — curious and skeptical at the same time. Touching a legacy this iconic is a huge responsibility, and Witherspoon's performance was so definitive that a worthy origin story felt almost impossible.
It starts slow, but it's worth the wait
Honestly, the first episode didn't win me over. The story unfolds a little awkwardly, and if I hadn't already loved the Legally Blonde films, I might have given up right there.
Luckily, I gave it another chance — and that turned out to be the right call.
The further the story goes, the more gripping, emotionally rich and character-driven it becomes. After a few episodes, it's clear that Elle isn't a lazy, nostalgia-fueled spin-off. It's a story that stands entirely on its own.
We meet a whole new side of Elle Woods
The series picks up the thread in 1995, as Elle celebrates her 16th birthday. It shows us the girl who would later become the confident, determined and inspiring young woman we know from the films.
She comes from a financially secure family, but the show doesn't idealize her life at all. Thrown into a new community, she faces the same insecurities, disappointments and self-searching as so many teenagers do. Those struggles offer a believable explanation for how she grew into the driven personality who would later break down every prejudice within the halls of Harvard.
Maybe that's the show's greatest strength: it makes Elle Woods feel human.
Lexi Minetree was the perfect choice
The biggest question hanging over any prequel like this was, of course, who could play a young Elle Woods convincingly.
Lexi Minetree turned out to be an inspired pick.
She doesn't try to imitate Reese Witherspoon, yet through countless small gestures, expressions and vocal cues she captures the original character so well that in some scenes it's genuinely easy to believe: we're watching the same Elle, just years earlier.
It's not only the physical resemblance. She also captures that special energy that made Witherspoon's performance so lovable in the first place.
If you're a fan of the original, you'll appreciate how much of that spirit carries over — and how it reminds us why Elle Woods became such an enduring icon in the first place.
Donna is the show's biggest surprise
If I had to single out one supporting character, it would be Amy Pietz's Donna.
Donna is decisive, empathetic and endlessly warm all at once. Even though the story is set in the mid-nineties, her way of thinking still feels modern today. She's the kind of mother who doesn't try to control her child's life at all costs, but steps in to support her when she truly needs it.
It's rare to find a supporting character who fits so naturally into a story while adding so much value to the whole production. Donna is exactly that kind of character.
The birth of a promising friendship
Gabrielle Policano, who plays Liz, is another pleasant surprise.
Liz arrives with her own problems and inner struggles, which is exactly why her bond with Elle builds so gradually and believably. Together they make a great pair, and I can easily imagine their friendship becoming one of the strongest threads in a second season.
Romance, but not at any cost
Naturally, the series doesn't forget the romantic side of things. Two important figures appear in Elle's love life: Miles, played by Jacob Moskovitz, and Dustin, brought to life by Zac Looker.
Both actors are convincing in their roles. Dustin is an important part of Elle's story too, but for me, Miles's personality and his connection with Elle felt more natural. Between the two of them I sensed the kind of chemistry that makes it easier to picture him as the one who truly fits her in the long run.
What's especially appealing about Elle's character is that she never puts boys before everything else. She doesn't give up her goals, her friends or herself for any boy. The story also makes a quiet but powerful point: a relationship is only valuable when it fits into your life, rather than taking control of it.
More than just nostalgia
After a while, the series sheds its formulaic feel completely. It touches on themes like self-confidence, identity, fitting in, friendship, first loves and prejudice. These are all questions that feel just as relevant today as they did thirty years ago.
That's why Elle is so much more than a decent prequel. It's a sensitive coming-of-age story that shows how strong female characters aren't born overnight — they're shaped by countless challenges, big and small.
I'm already waiting for more
By the time I reached the end of the first season, my opinion of the show had completely turned around.
My initial uncertainty gave way to curiosity, and then to genuine enthusiasm. It's a real bonus that it's now official: Elle is definitely getting a second season, and filming has already begun.
The supporting cast delivered strong performances across the board, and I can't leave out Elle's loyal dog, Bruiser, who put a smile on my face in every scene and became one of the show's freshest joys.
If you're still unsure after the first episode, I can only encourage you: it's worth sticking with. Elle doesn't try to be a copy of Legally Blonde — it's a sensitive, human and surprisingly deep origin story. By the time the first season ends, you might find yourself waiting for the next chapter just as eagerly as you once awaited the grown-up Elle Woods's next big adventure.
When is the series "Elle" set?
The prequel picks up in 1995, when Elle Woods is celebrating her 16th birthday. It follows the teenage years that shaped the confident woman fans know from the films.
Do you need to have seen "Legally Blonde" to enjoy it?
It helps, especially in the slower first episode. But as the story develops, it works as a coming-of-age tale in its own right, not just a nostalgia trip.
Who plays the young Elle Woods?
Lexi Minetree takes on the role. She doesn't imitate Reese Witherspoon, yet captures the character's spirit so well that it's easy to believe you're watching the same Elle, years earlier.
Is there going to be a second season?
Yes. A second season has been officially confirmed, and according to the article, filming has already started.
