James Van Der Beek Joins Dawson's Creek Reunion Virtually Amid Cancer Fight

A night of nostalgia and hope

The Richard Rodgers Theatre was buzzing on Monday, September 22, 2025, as the original cast of Dawson's Creek gathered for a long‑awaited reunion. The event was more than a flashback; it was a fundraiser for F Cancer, a nonprofit that backs patients facing the disease. The centerpiece was a live reading of the series’ 1998 pilot, a moment fans had imagined for years.

While the stage was filled with familiar faces—Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and John Wesley Shipp—one key player was missing: James Van Der Beek. The actor, who famously portrayed Dawson Leery, had been sidelined by two stomach viruses right before the show. Yet his absence didn’t go unnoticed. Throughout the evening, a series of video messages projected onto the theater’s screen let him speak directly to his former co‑stars and the packed audience.

In the first clip, Van Der Beek, looking noticeably thinner and wearing a cap, expressed his disappointment. “I’ve been looking forward to this night for months,” he said, mentioning how Michelle Williams had personally invited him to the event. “It hurts not to be there, to not hug my beautiful castmates.” The raw honesty sparked a wave of applause, and the theater filled with a palpable sense of solidarity.

When the time came for the pilot reading, the role of Dawson was handed to an unexpected guest: Lin‑Manuel Miranda. The musical maestro introduced himself via a brief video, joking that he was stepping in as “a young up‑and‑comer.” As Miranda delivered Dawson’s opening monologue, the audience surged with cheers, aware they were witnessing a once‑in‑a‑lifetime mash‑up of ’90s teen drama and contemporary Broadway energy.

Behind the scenes: illness, solidarity and surprise

Van Der Beek’s health battle has been public since his August 2023 diagnosis of Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He has kept the public updated on treatment milestones, but the double bout of gastroenteritis that landed him in the hospital just before the reunion added an extra layer of urgency to his video appearances. In a later segment, his wife Kimberly and their children joined the stage, harmonizing the show’s bittersweet theme song. Kimberly later told fans that she could “feel his presence filling the entire theater,” a sentiment echoed by many in the audience.

The charity angle was front and center. Proceeds from ticket sales and an on‑stage auction of original series memorabilia went directly to F Cancer, with a portion earmarked for Van Der Beek’s treatment fund. Attendees, ranging from industry veterans to teenage fans who discovered the show on streaming platforms, wrote messages on a giant whiteboard that read, “We stand with you, James.”

Social media lit up as screenshots of Van Der Beek’s video messages circulated. He had posted a short note the day before the event, stating, “I’m devastated to miss this night, but I’ll be there in spirit.” The note garnered thousands of supportive replies, many quoting lines from the series itself—proof that the show’s emotional core still resonates.

Beyond the heartfelt moments, there were lighter beats. When the cast performed a karaoke rendition of the theme song, the room erupted with laughter as Katie Holmes attempted a high note that cracked, prompting a playful ribbing from Joshua Jackson. These unscripted snippets reminded everyone that the reunion, while charitable, was also a celebration of enduring friendships forged on set.

In the months ahead, organizers hinted at more events tied to the reunion’s success, including a potential streaming special that could weave together archival footage, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and updates on Van Der Beek’s health journey. For now, the virtual cameo has become a defining moment of the night—a reminder that even when the body falters, the bond between cast, crew, and fans can stretch across a screen and still feel profoundly real.