‘Elle’ Star Lexi Minetree Hails James Van Der Beek’s Final Performance as ‘Legally Blonde’ Prequel Prepares to Debut

The Legally Blonde prequel series is scheduled to premiere July 1, with one of its final on-screen contributions coming from James Van Der Beek, who died in 2025 at age 48, according to Deadline. Lexi Minetree, who stars in Elle, spoke about the casting and the production’s timing as the series prepares for release.

In remarks reported by Deadline, Minetree described Van Der Beek as having “brought so much life” to his character, Dean Wilson, in the prequel series. She also said, “We miss him so much,” framing her comments around the personal and professional impact of working with him shortly before his death.

Minetree’s statements add context to the series’ rollout for viewers who may be aware of Van Der Beek’s passing but still expect to see his performance in a role that was produced before he was gone. Deadline characterized the project as one of his final onscreen roles, highlighting that the show’s premiere is arriving nearly five months after his death.

Dean Wilson is central to the narrative framework of the prequel, and Van Der Beek’s performance has been positioned as part of the show’s ready-to-watch slate as it approaches its July 1 debut. Minetree’s comments underscore that the production team, cast, and audiences are now processing the release with the added weight of loss.

The Legally Blonde prequel release is expected to move forward on schedule rather than be paused, consistent with entertainment industry practices for finalized or near-final productions, though the Deadline report does not specify any adjustments to editing, marketing, or episode order. It also does not detail whether additional statements will be issued by the showrunners, producers, or the studio after Minetree’s comments.

As the premiere date approaches, the release will place Van Der Beek’s work in front of the public in a continuing way, while also prompting renewed attention to the final body of his performances. For fans following either Minetree’s work on Elle or Van Der Beek’s broader career, the series premiere is likely to become the latest point of reference for his role as Dean Wilson.

The next step for audiences is simply the show’s scheduled debut on July 1, with the performance already integrated into the series’ released episodes. Beyond viewing the episodes, the reported commentary from Minetree may influence how audiences talk about the role and the circumstances surrounding its release.