Lexi Minetree has compared James Van Der Beek to Matthew McConaughey, thanks to the "charm and kindness" that emanated from the late actor.

The 25-year-old actress plays a teenage Elle Woods in the Amazon prequel series based on cult movie Legally Blonde, with the show also marking James' final screen role before his death in February.

The Dawson's Creek star plays mayoral candidate Dean Wilson in the show, and Lexi has fond memories of the first time she met her co-star.

On Josh Smith's Great Chat Show podcast, Lexi said: "When I first met him, we were in the hair and makeup trailer, and I remember he just walked in and he has this natural charisma about him.

'It almost felt like Matthew McConaughey was walking in, he just has such a charm and a kindness to him and especially like what he had gone through.

'He, of all people, had the right to not have energy and introduce himself. And yet, he went up to every person in that room and was like, 'I am James.' And just like seeing him work, he was incredible."

Not only that but the actor was "also hilarious", Lexi said.

She continued: "I'm really proud to have gone to work with him, and I broke my heart to hear about what had happened,' Lexi admitted.

"But I hope when people watch it, they just see what a talent he was. And I think people are going to see the charm that just like, rolls off of him."

James lost his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer in February, aged 48.

He left behind his wife Kimberly and their six children.

Kimberly has been updating fans about how she and the kids are getting on in posts on her Instagram page, revealing in one in May that she was struggling with the three-month anniversary of her husband's passing.

She wrote: "To say I'm heartbroken is a severe understatement. Words just don't capture what grief is. The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in... and I miss him.

"We all miss him. Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air. I feel him. I know him more deeply.

"My conscious connection to God has deepened. The veils of the universe have thinned. And I trust that this is the path me and my family have always been intended to walk.

"The outpouring of support has been tremendous. It's held our family in the most beautiful of ways. You all went absolutely above and beyond anything I could have ever expected in supporting us and honoring James. I am deeply grateful. There is so much more to share here. And in time- I will."