Actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is set to join the second season of the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel series ‘Elle’, stepping into the role of Sam, an intellectually formidable rival to teenage Elle Woods.

According to a UNI report, Ramakrishnan’s character is introduced as the head of the school newspaper and a self-appointed guardian of grammar, whose ambition and exacting nature make her a sharp counterpart to Elle’s optimism and charm.

Ramakrishnan will portray Sam as Elle’s foil — possessing all the protagonist’s ambition but none of her positivity. The character is described as the founder and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, a strict enforcer of grammar rules, and someone whose disciplined outlook contrasts strongly with Elle’s spirited personality.

The first season of the series, scheduled to premiere on July 1 on Prime Video, also features June Diane Raphael as Elle’s mother Eva and Tom Everett Scott as her father Wyatt. The show also stars Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker, with recurring appearances by Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Matt Ober, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, and Lisa Yamada.

In addition, James Van Der Beek returns as Dean Wilson, an ambitious school superintendent and mayoral candidate, marking one of his final roles before his passing.