{"id":665560,"date":"2026-06-30T06:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T06:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/665560\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T06:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T06:04:12","slug":"legally-blondes-new-prequel-series-branded-awkward-and-nonsensical-in-brutal-first-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/665560\/","title":{"rendered":"Legally Blonde’s new prequel series branded “awkward” and “nonsensical” in brutal first reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legally Blonde’s prequel series<\/a> Elle has been branded “nonsensical” and “bland” in scathing first reviews. Lexi Minetree<\/a> takes on the role of Elle Woods<\/a> in the series set before the iconic 2001 film, exploring Elle’s teenage years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The late James Van Der Beek is also set to star, alongside June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott as Elle’s parents, who uproot her life for a new start in Seattle. <\/p>\n

The cast also includes Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, and Lisa Yamada.<\/p>\n

\"lexi<\/p>\n

Prime Video<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n

Early reviews have landed ahead of Elle’s Prime Video release on 1 July<\/a>, but they have been far from glowing.<\/p>\n

The Independent<\/a> called it “nonsensical” and “a slap in the face to Gen Z,” adding: “Elle is barely a comedy, and once it gets into the weeds of its premise it becomes an unusually sluggish teen drama \u2013 there are love triangles, mean teens, and low-stakes scandals involving the staff at Elle\u2019s new school.”<\/p>\n

The Wrap<\/a> thought Elle was “awkward” and “forced”, writing: “Legally Blonde was fun, fresh and brilliantly paced, but Elle is dour, boring and tedious. It\u2019s unfortunate, really: It\u2019s clear that [Reese] Witherspoon<\/a>, Hello Sunshine and showrunners Laura Kittrell and Caroline Dries love the source material, but perhaps by attempting to capture lightning in a bottle once again they\u2019ve only served to dim Elle\u2019s shine.”<\/p>\n

Radio Times<\/a> scathingly wrote “TV as bland as this Legally Blonde prequel should be illegal”, while The Wrap<\/a> joked it “doesn’t quite pass the bar.”
<\/p>\n

\"lexi<\/p>\n

Prime Video\/Kimberley French<\/p>\n

Related: My Mental Health: Why Legally Blonde is the perfect film for those battling imposter syndrome<\/a><\/p>\n

IndieWire<\/a> said: “A Legally Blonde series that doesn\u2019t make sense as a prequel is one thing. But a Legally Blonde series that doesn\u2019t take itself seriously as a comedy or as a source of inspiration? I object!”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Metro<\/a> concluded: “Elle is undoubtedly Legally Blonde for a younger generation, but for those who are obsessed with the film \u2013 it might not quite hit the spot.”<\/p>\n

An official logline for Elle reads: “Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.”<\/p>\n

Elle season one will be released on Prime Video on 1 July.<\/p>\n


Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
\nRebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
\nHer particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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