James Van Der Beek may not have been able to return to the stage with his former castmates, but he still found a heartfelt way to join the Dawson’s Creek reunion.
The 48-year-old actor, best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the beloved late-’90s teen drama, was originally scheduled to appear at a special cast reunion charity event on Sept. 22 at New York City’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. The evening, organized in support of the nonprofit F Cancer, featured a live reading of the show’s 1998 pilot episode and brought together much of the original cast.
James Van Der Beek’s Emotional Message
Van Der Beek, who revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, was unable to attend the event in person due to illness. Instead, he recorded a moving video message that played during the gathering.
“I’ve been looking forward to this night for months ever since my angel Michelle Williams told me she was organizing it,” he shared in the clip. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to hug my castmates, my beautiful cast, in person.”
He went on to thank the cast, crew, organizers, and longtime fans of Dawson’s Creek. “You are the best fans in the world,” he said.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Steps in as Dawson .Though Van Der Beek was absent, his character wasn’t forgotten. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was invited to step into his place for the live reading.
“On Dawson’s Creek, I never had an understudy—but this is Broadway,” Van Der Beek joked in his message. “My kids think Lin is an upgrade.”
The reunion featured appearances from Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson.
Busy Philipps, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, John Wesley Shipp, Mary Beth Peil, Mary-Margaret Humes, and Nina Repeta. Why Van Der Beek Missed the ReunionJust one day before the charity event, Van Der Beek explained in a Sept. 21 Instagram post that two stomach viruses had forced him to stay home.This was the night I’d been most excited about since January,” he wrote. “You can imagine how devastated I was when illness knocked me out of commission at the worst possible moment.”
From his home in Austin, he urged fans to share their love with his family in attendance, adding,
I’ll be beaming and receiving from afar. Thank you, Lin-Manuel—you were a hero to my kids before, but now you’re a demigod.Reflecting on His Cancer JourneySince publicly announcing his diagnosis in late 2023, Van Der Beek has shared candid updates about his health and mindset.
Cancer is a wild thing,” he told USA TODAY.
It forces you to face your mortality and figure out what truly matters. One of my biggest realizations was how negative my self-talk had been. This journey has taught me self-love.”
The reunion not only honored the legacy of Dawson’s Creek but also served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and gratitude Van Der Beek continues to carry through his battle.The long-awaited Dawson’s Creek reunion brought fans back to Capeside — but one major star was missing. James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery,
Couldn’t attend the emotional gathering. Still, the actor made sure his presence was felt.
Van Der Beek, who revealed his cancer diagnosis in November, thanked fans, the cast, and reunion organizer Michelle Williams, calling the supporters of the series “the best fans in the world.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda Steps In
To surprise viewers, Van Der Beek introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda as his stand-in for the evening. The Hamilton creator joined Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Busy Philipps, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, and Nina Repeta, ensuring fans got a full dose of nostalgia.
Why Broadway Was the Perfect Venue
Reflecting on the significance of the event being held on Broadway, Van Der Beek revealed his true passion:
“I was never really a film geek. I’ve always been a theater geek,” he admitted. “That’s why I think it’s so fitting that this reunion is happening in a Broadway theater.”
A Family Affair
Even though Van Der Beek couldn’t attend in person, his family was there to represent him. His wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children — Olivia (14), Joshua (13), Annabel (11), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (6), and Jeremiah (2) — attended the reunion. They even joined the cast on stage for a heartfelt performance of Paula Cole’s I Don’t Want to Wait, the show’s iconic theme song.
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Kimberly later described the evening as “such a gift” on Instagram Stories, writing:
“This night was incredibly special for our whole family — and most of all, feeling the love that filled the theater for my husband.”
Dawson’s Creek Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
The reunion also gave fans a chance to revisit some surprising stories from the show’s history:
The show nearly never aired: Fox originally picked up Dawson’s Creek but dropped it, worried it would clash with Party of Five. The WB later gave it a home, changing teen television forever.
The theme song almost wasn’t Paula Cole’s: Producers wanted Alanis Morissette’s Hand in My Pocket, but when rights couldn’t be secured, Cole’s I Don’t Want to Wait became the legendary opening track.Unusual character names: Dawson was inspired by a real creek from creator Kevin Williamson’s youth, while Pacey came from a friend-of-a-friend. Joey.
short for Josephine, was meant to balance femininity with a tomboy edge.
Network censorship shaped iconic dialogue: In the pilot, “walk the dog” was used as a euphemism after executives banned the word “masturbate.”Katie Holmes wasn’t the first choice for Joey: Actress Selma Blair nearly landed the role, but Williamson chose Holmes after her unforgettable audition with “those big eyes.Even decades after its finale, Dawson’s Creek continues to reveal surprising stories from behind the cameras. From unexpected casting choices to real-life romances,
Here are some of the most fascinating secrets about the iconic teen drama.
Joshua Jackson Nearly Played Dawson
Creator Kevin Williamson originally considered Joshua Jackson for the lead role of Dawson Leery.
