Need to knowThose tuning into Prime Video's Legally Blonde prequel series Elle have been left emotional by the appearance of the late actor09:15, 04 Jul 2026Elle is set before the events of Legally Blonde(Image: Jessica Brooks/Prime Video)James Van Der Beek's role in Prime Video's Elle explainedThe Legally Blonde prequel series Elle has landed on Prime Video. The eight-episode show takes viewers back to Elle Woods' school days in 1995, with Lexi Minetree stepping into the iconic role originally played by Reese Witherspoon.Among the cast is the late James Van Der Beek, who tragically passed away in February at age 48 after battling colorectal cancer. He appears posthumously as school district superintendent Dean Wilson in what was one of his final TV roles.His first appearance comes during Episode 3. At the end of the episode and ahead of the credits, the show includes a touching tribute to the star which reads: "In loving memory of James Van Der Beek."Fans have been left emotional by his unexpected appearance, with one viewer saying: "I was completely taken by surprise seeing him on my screen." Another confessed: "I cried when I saw him."Production has already begun on a second season, which is expected to arrive in 2027. Meanwhile all eight episodes of Season 1 are now streaming.READ THE FULL STORY: Elle TV show's touching title card tribute to James Van Der Beek