James Van Der Beek found a heartfelt way to take part in the highly anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion on September 22, even though illness kept him from attending in person. The actor, best known for playing Dawson Leery, surprised fans and former castmates with a pre-recorded video message that played during the one-night-only event at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York.
Van Der Beek had previously canceled his live appearance after revealing that he was recovering from two stomach viruses, but his video message conveyed both his regret and his gratitude. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast, in person,” he said, before turning his attention to the fans. “You are the best fans in the world.”
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| James Van Der Beek / Instagram |
As part of his absence workaround, Van Der Beek introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda as his “understudy,” allowing the Hamilton creator to read Dawson’s lines during the live script reading of the show’s pilot episode. The reunion featured much of the original cast, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Busy Philipps, who came together to celebrate the legacy of the beloved series while raising funds for the cancer charity F Cancer.
Adding to the emotional night, several of Van Der Beek’s children joined the cast onstage to sing the show’s iconic theme song I Don’t Wanna Wait, creating a special moment that drew cheers from the audience. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, later shared a video on Instagram reflecting on the evening, describing it as a powerful and emotional experience despite James’s absence. She noted how meaningful it was to see their family represented during such a significant celebration.
The reunion underscored not only the enduring impact of Dawson’s Creek but also the deep connections shared by its cast and fans. Van Der Beek’s surprise video, though recorded from afar, became one of the night’s most memorable highlights and reminded audiences of the heartfelt sincerity that made his character — and the series itself — such an enduring part of television history.
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Television