The Legally Blonde prequel series has finally had its release date confirmed - alongside a first look picture of the new Elle Woods.

Prime Video announced that Elle, the prequel series that's been made by Amazon's MGM Studios, will hit screens on July 1 around the world. 

While it has not even aired yet, the show, which has been highly anticipated by fans of Legally Blonde, has already been ordered for a second series. 

The show will follow Elle Woods, played by Lexi Minetree, in high school, as viewers take a deep dive into the life experiences  that shapes the iconic young woman fans know and love from the first Legally Blonde film. 

The new show promises to explore Elle's early life in the halls of her Beverly Hills high school, before she turned heartbreak into Harvard acceptance.

Reese Witherspoon, who played Elle in the movie, said: 'Twenty-five years after the world met Elle Woods for the first time, it’s a dream come true to share the story of how she became the unstoppable force we all fell in love with.

'Discovering Lexi Minetree and watching her step into Elle’s fabulous shoes has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career. 

'I think our series’ themes of kindness, authenticity, and believing in yourself will resonate deeply with fans of the original films and new audiences alike. 

'Working with our incredible Hello Sunshine team, Amazon and our visionary writers and directors to bring Elle's high school journey to life has been a tremendous joy. 

'I can’t wait to share Season One with the world and start rolling cameras on Season Two!'

While Amazon MGM's global head of television Peter Friedlander added: 'Elle captures the heart, confidence, and optimism that made Elle Woods an enduring cultural icon, while giving audiences a fresh and deeply personal coming-of-age story.

'Ordering a second season speaks to our belief in the creative vision and the incredible team behind the series, and we’re excited for audiences to experience Elle’s journey starting with Season One.'

Created by High School mastermind Laura Kittrell, Elle will star the likes of June Diane Raphael as Elle's mother Eva, and Tom Everett Scott as her father Wyatt. 

Despite the excitement around the series, last year, some fans were left questioning whether the series was able to live up to the film, hitting out that it's 'another sequel/prequel/spin-off nobody asked for'. 

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: 'This is so funny to me because why does Elle Woods need a prequel?

'She is one of the most fully formed characters. We fully understand her whole deal and where she came from basically instantly.'

Echoing this sentiment, another person added: 'Also there’s no room for good character arc! 

'Nobody wants to see how Elle became the person she was at the start of the movie… the movie has her arc, so any arc they give her in the show is going to ring false.'

The original 2001 film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon in arguably her most well-known role, was praised not just for its bright visuals and punchy dialogue, but for its portrayal of Elle's transformation.

From ditzy fashion student to rising legal star, her backstory isn't a mystery, it's clear from the first five minutes, argued fans.

Another user said: 'Doesn't even make sense… The entire point of Legally Blonde is to show Elle's character arc from superficial to empathetic.

'She wouldn't have had a major character growth story before the events of the film or else it negates the entire point of the film.'

Others questioned the narrative. If viewers know Elle's long-time boyfriend Warner Huntington is going to dump her, do they really want to watch them date, they asked.

'Are we supposed to cheer for her and that man when we know what's going to happen?' one commenter asked. Another said: 'There is no depth to cover.'

Legally Blonde has already been stretched across three films and a successful Broadway musical.

Others have suggested the new show is aimed at a younger demographic - perhaps those who weren't yet born when Elle first stood in her pink power suit.

The series might bring a beloved story to Gen Z viewers who didn't experience the original in real time - but fans, nonetheless, were not impressed.

'I think the reason we see so many sequels, prequels, remakes, live-action remakes, etc. is that our culture is stagnating, and creativity is on the decline,' said one commenter.

Whether the series turns out to be a fun addition to the Legally Blonde universe or simply another unnecessary spin-off, Elle Woods remains as beloved as ever.

Meanwhile, filming of the new series is well underway and the cast were spotted shooting a scene in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Minetree, who Reese cast as the young Elle Woods after a four-month nationwide search, was seen filming shopping scenes with her co-stars on the iconic Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Reese will executively produce the show, 24 years after starring as the well-known character in the first film.

In February, Reese announced the news that Lexi got the role of Elle and in May, 2024, Reese reprised her role as Elle Woods to announce the new series. 

The star is developing the Legally Blonde spinoff with the help of her production company Hello Sunshine.

Elle will debut on Prime Video on July 1