James Van Der Beek to Miss ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Reunion That Honors Him

James Van Der Beek announced that he will miss a Dawson’s Creek reunion that is set to benefit F Cancer and himself amid his own battle with cancer.

“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January … So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment,” Van Der Beek, 48, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, September 21. “Despite every effort … I won’t get to be there. I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.”

Despite not being able to attend the event, Van Der Beek shared that he found an understudy to take his place. “A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he’d be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me … Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that’s convenient,” he wrote. “The role of ‘Dawson’, usually played by James Van Der Beek … Will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda.”

After Van Der Beek said he “can’t believe I just got to type that,” he continued, “Everyone please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family. I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.”

“And thank you @lin_manuel . You were a hero to my kids before … now you’re a demigod,” he concluded in the post.

The Dawson’s Creek reunion is scheduled to take place on September 22 and will feature a live reading of the show’s 1998 pilot episode at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City.

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In addition to Williams, 45, original stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps are set to attend. Philipps, 46, Smith, 53, and Monroe, 55, all joined the show after the first season, so they will participate by reading different roles from the pilot episode. Meanwhile, Renée Elise Goldsberry will serve as the event’s narrator.

Williams came up with the idea for the fundraiser after Van Der Beek announced he was diagnosed with cancer in November 2024.

In addition to the reading, the event will feature an auction with items cast members and producers donated. Additionally, the cast will be posing for photo ops with fans that cost $650 per photo.

Van Der Beek stars as the titular character on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 until 2003. The event will mark the first time the cast has all been back together since the series finale.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.