‘Legally Blonde’ Prequel Series Casts June Diane Raphael As Elle’s Mom​on March 11, 2025 at 4:00 pm

EXCLUSIVE: June Diane Raphael has been tapped as a lead opposite Lexi Minetree in Elle, Prime Video’s upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series executive produced by the film franchise’s star Reese Witherspoon.

Created by Laura Kittrell, Elle follows Elle Woods (Minetree) in high school.

Raphael will play Elle’s mom and role model, Eva, who is polished, pragmatic and thrives on keeping things picture-perfect.

In the movies, the role was small and played by Tane McClure as Elle’s mom and dad both tried to dissuade her from going to Harvard.

Kittrell and Caroline Dries serve as co-showrunners. They executive produce with Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter of Hello Sunshine and the films’ producer Marc Platt. Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) is directing the first two episodes. Elle is produced by Hello Sunshine and Amazon MGM Studios.

Elle extends Raphael’s relationship with Witherspoon; Raphael has been recurring on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, which Witherspoon is starring in and executive producing.

Known for her series regular role on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, Raphael also is recurring on ABC’s Abbott Elementary. Her recent credits includes Peacock’s Based on a True Story. On the film side, Raphael will be seen in Zach Cregger’s horror thriller Weapons for New Line opposite Josh Brolin and Julia Garner.

At Amazon MGM Studios, Raphael has in contention improv-style multi-cam pilot DINKS, from Lionsgate TV. She also is attached to star in the multi-cam comedy Something Wicked, a Bewitched-inspired comedy in development. She is repped by MGMT Entertainment, UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.