Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, widely recognized for her breakout role in Netflix’s acclaimed series Never Have I Ever, is set to expand her acting repertoire by joining the cast of Amazon Prime Video’s Elle for its eagerly awaited second season. This announcement marks an exciting development for fans of the show, which serves as a prequel to the beloved Legally Blonde franchise, exploring the formative high school years of the iconic character Elle Woods.
The first season of Elle is scheduled to premiere on July 1, offering viewers a fresh perspective on Elle’s early life before she became the confident law student and fashion icon known from the films. The series delves into her teenage experiences, highlighting the challenges and triumphs that shaped her personality. Following the positive reception of the initial season, production for the second installment is slated to commence this spring, building on the momentum generated by the show’s renewal announcement earlier this year in January.
In this upcoming season, Ramakrishnan will portray Sam, a character crafted as a direct contrast to Elle Woods. Sam is described as Elle’s foil—someone who shares Elle’s ambition but lacks her characteristic optimism. As the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and the self-appointed commissioner of the grammar police, Sam embodies a strict adherence to rules and structure, often positioned as the antagonist to Elle’s joyful and spirited nature. Where Elle finds guidance in her dog Cosmo, Sam reveres the AP Stylebook, making her the ‘enemy of joy’ within the school’s social ecosystem.
The ensemble cast of Elle features Lexi Minetree in the lead role of young Elle Woods, supported by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott who portray Elle’s parents, Eva and Wyatt Woods. The series also includes performances by Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker, with recurring appearances from actors such as Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Matt Ober, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, and Lisa Yamada. Notably, the late James Van Der Beek makes one of his final onscreen appearances in a recurring guest role, adding a poignant touch to the show’s cast.
Elle was created by Laura Kittrell, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries. The production team includes high-profile executive producers such as Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Marc Platt, and Amanda Brown, ensuring a strong creative vision behind the series. Jason Moore directed the first two episodes and continues to contribute as an executive producer, helping to maintain the show’s distinctive tone and style.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, represented by CAA, Premier Artists Management, and Felker Toczek Suddleson, has garnered critical acclaim for her work in Never Have I Ever. Beyond live-action roles, she has lent her voice to popular animated projects including Pixar’s Turning Red and the My Little Pony franchise. Recently, she appeared alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the film Freaky Friday, further showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her addition to Elle is anticipated to bring a fresh dynamic to the series as it continues to explore the complexities of Elle Woods’ early life.
