‘Elle’s Lexi Minetree Says James Van Der Beek “Brought So Much Life” To Show: “We Miss Him So Much”

Nearly five months after his death at age 48, one of James Van Der Beek‘s final onscreen roles is set to debut next week.

On Saturday, Elle star Lexi Minetree raved that her late co-star “brought so much life” to his role as Dean Wilson in the Legally Blonde prequel series, premiering July 1 on Prime Video, as she spoke to Deadline at the streamer’s Obsessed Fest.

“He’s wonderful. It was incredible working with him,” she said of Van Der Beek. “He’s so charismatic, and I’m so excited for people to get to see his performance, because he just brought so much life to this character, and to set, honestly.”

Minetree continued, “I remember meeting him and just feeling so much warmth, and he even brought his daughters to set. It was really incredible. I know this is his last show, and I think fans are gonna be in for a real treat, getting to see him. We miss him so much.”

After Van Der Beek was cast in Elle last year, the actor died at age 48 in February, having previously shared his colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2024.

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Created by Laura Kittrell, Elle stars Minetree as the titular future Harvard law student Elle Woods, following her struggle to fit in as a high school student in Seattle.

The series also stars Zac Looker, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, Gabrielle Policano, Tom Everett Scott and June Diane Raphael.