Dawson's Creek reunion moves fans despite James Van Der Beek's absence amid cancer battle
Cast reunites after 22 years to raise funds for Van Der Beek's cancer initiative; Lin-Manuel Miranda steps in as Dawson Leery in his stead
Busy Philipps fought back tears as she reflected on the Dawson's Creek reunion, describing it as bittersweet because James Van Der Beek could not attend amid his ongoing stage 3 colorectal cancer treatment. The former co-stars gathered Monday with Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams for a night to raise money for Van Der Beek’s F Cancer initiative, even as Van Der Beek watched from afar.
Van Der Beek, 48, was forced to withdraw just days before the event after falling ill with two stomach viruses during treatment. Kimberly Van Der Beek, the actor's wife, attended with their six children—Olivia, 14; Joshua, 12; Annabel, 10; Emilia, 8; Gwendolyn, 6; and Jeremiah, 3—surprising the audience. In an Instagram Story, Philipps described the moment as heart-wrenching but said she was grateful his family could be there to support him, writing, “Obviously James not being able to get there was heartbreaking for a million different reasons. But I was so glad that Kimberly and all the kids and his dad and sister and Kimberly's family and closest friends [were there].”
One of the night's most touching moments featured Van Der Beek's children performing the show's theme song, “I Don’t Wanna Wait.” Olivia and Emilia sang the verses before the whole family joined in for the chorus, an moment that moved many in the audience to tears. Meredith Monroe, who played Andie McPhee, wiped away tears, while Michelle Williams embraced Mary Beth Peil, who played her on-screen grandmother. Williams, 45, was also identified as the reunion’s driving force: she rallied her former castmates to perform a live reading of the pilot episode and arranged for her close friend Lin-Manuel Miranda to step in for Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery. Van Der Beek managed to send a pre-recorded video message, telling fans he had been looking forward to the night “for months and months” since Williams proposed it and expressing gratitude for the group’s support.
Phillips and Jackson also staged a playful nod to the show’s history, reenacting one of Dawson’s controversial moments with Phillips stepping into the role of Tamara Jacobs, Pacey’s high school English teacher. The moment underscored how the cast embraced the reunion with both humor and sentiment, despite the absence of the actor who started it all for many fans at home.
Kimberly Van Der Beek later reflected on the night, praising Williams and Brooklynn-produced theater figure Thomas Kail for making the trip with the children and calling the gathering “a dream come true” for the family. After reconnecting with Holmes, Jackson and Williams, Busy Philipps reiterated how meaningful the evening felt, noting that James’s name was present in every moment and that the love surrounding him was palpable.
The gathering marked the first Dawson’s Creek reunion in more than two decades, a fundraising atmosphere that paired nostalgia with a tangible cause. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s participation added a star-studded touch, as did the cast’s willingness to revisit the pilot’s lines and scenes in a live format. The event was designed to raise funds for Van Der Beek’s F Cancer initiative, which supports research and awareness around colorectal cancer.
James Van Der Beek announced his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November, describing his condition as serious but with reasons for optimism and a focus on rest and support from loved ones. In a later interview, he outlined the steps he had taken to manage the disease, including changes to his diet and a renewed emphasis on yoga and slower living. “The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I'm just on the journey,” he said, underscoring that the process would likely continue long-term.
Earlier this year, Van Der Beek shared further updates about his health and outlook, emphasizing resilience and a deliberate, healthier lifestyle. The Dawson's Creek reunion thus became not only a celebration of friendship and television history but also a public moment of support for a castmate navigating a difficult cancer journey.