James Van Der Beek — yes, THE Dawson from Dawson’s Creek, aka America’s original sad-boy heartthrob — is officially entering the Legally Blonde universe. And no, this isn’t a fever dream from 2001.
The 48-year-old nostalgia factory announced he’s joining Elle, the new Prime Video prequel series that gives us a peek into Elle Woods’ high school years. Think less Harvard Law and more hallway drama with sparkly folders and teen angst — but make it fashion.
Van Der Beek dropped the news on Instagram like it was a vintage Gucci bag at a thrift store:
“So, this is exciting… I’m going back to work for a bit,” he wrote, presumably after wrangling five kids and deciding filming a TV show might actually be less chaotic. “Super excited to join this awesome cast in such a fun project. Almost as excited as my wife and girls are that I’m doing this 😍.”
Translation: “My family has been living off Dawson reruns for too long. Daddy’s back, baby.”
In Elle, James will play Dean White — the town’s new mayoral candidate AND school superintendent. Because why have one power trip when you can have two? He’s basically the guy who cancels prom and raises your taxes. Can’t wait to love-hate him.
The show comes from Laura Kittrell, and it stars Lexi Minetree as teen Elle Woods, the future queen of courtroom couture. We’ll get to see all the formative moments that turned Elle into the blonde bombshell who took on Harvard in heels and taught a generation how to object with flair.
So yeah, James Van Der Beek is back in school — but this time, he’s not crying by a creek. He’s supervising a whole school district and maybe ruining Elle’s vibe. Or empowering it. Who knows? Either way, we’re watching.
Class is in session, and Professor Van Der Beek is ready to legally slay.
