"Legally Blonde" Prequel Taps June Diane Raphael as Elle's Mother

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 expands Raphael’s connection with Witherspoon; Raphael has had a recurring role on Apple TV+'s series The Morning Show, Which Witherspoon is set to star in and produce the project?

Famous for her recurring role on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie Additionally, Raphael has a recurring role on ABC’s show. Abbott Elementary. Her recent credits include Peacock’s Inspired by Actual Events. On the film side, Raphael will be seen in Zach Cregger’s horror thriller Weapons For the new line, across from Josh Brolin and Julia Garner.

At Amazon MGM Studios, Raphael is in the running improv-style multi-cam pilot DINKS , from Lionsgate Television. Additionally, she is set to star in the multi-cam comedy Something Wicked , a Bewitched -inspiring comedy series currently being developed at NBC. She is represented by MGMT Entertainment, UTA, and Ziffren Brittenham.

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