Omigod, you guys! Prime Video’s Legally Blonde prequel series is officially expanding its cast. June Diane Raphael joins the cast of Elle as Eva Woods, Elle’s mom, opposite Lexi Minetree as Elle herself.
According to Deadline, which first broke the news of Raphael’s casting, Eva is not just Elle’s mom, but also her role model. Eva is “polished, pragmatic and thrives on keeping things picture-perfect.” Longtime Legally Blonde fans will remember Elle’s then-unnamed mom playing a very minor role in the original movie (but showing up for Elle when it counts).
The Legally Blonde prequel won’t be the first time June Diane Raphael works with Reese Witherspoon, either! She’s recurred as a news anchor on Witherspoon’s Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show. Additionally, you might recognize her from Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, where she played ambitious cosmetics CEO Brianna, daughter to Jane Fonda’s Grace, across all 7 seasons. Her other recent credits include Abbott Elementary and Based on a True Story.
Earlier this year, the Legally Blonde prequel made headlines with the official casting of Minetree. In an adorable video on social media, Witherspoon brings Minetree in for a “meeting. Of course, the real news was that Minetree already had the role — and we have to say, the resemblance is already uncanny!
The Legally Blonde prequel Elle is created by Laura Kittrell, serving as co-showrunner with Caroline Dries. Witherspoon and her production company, Hello Sunshine, are among the executive producers. Elle will follow young Elle Woods in high school, years before she takes Harvard by storm.
Are you excited about Raphael’s casting? Will you be tuning into the Legally Blonde prequel? Let us know in the comments!
