James Van Der Beek Drops Out of Dawson's Creek Reunion Amid Cancer Battle
Lin-Manuel Miranda will replace him at the Sept. 22 charity reading in New York as cast members reunite for a cancer fundraiser
James Van Der Beek has dropped out of the Dawson's Creek cast reunion due to illness amid his ongoing cancer treatment, his representatives confirmed Sunday. The 48-year-old actor revealed a stage III colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024 and said he is gutted to miss the September 22 event in New York City.
Van Der Beek's Instagram note explained that two stomach viruses knocked him out at the worst possible moment, preventing him from joining the live reading. He said Lin-Manuel Miranda would take his place, calling the Hamilton creator an overqualified replacement and adding that his children would regard the swap as an upgrade. He also told fans he would be watching from a bed in Austin and that he would be beaming and receiving from afar.
The Dawson's Creek reunion is a charity event in New York City that will feature a live reading of the show's pilot to benefit F Cancer. The reunion will include Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps. Lin-Manuel Miranda will fill the missing cast member's spot, helping to round out the ensemble for the reading.
Dawson's Creek aired from 1998 to 2003 on The WB and later earned a range of accolades, including a Teen Choice Award in 2000 for TV Choice Drama. The show remains a defining entry in late-1990s teen television.
Van Der Beek's cancer journey began with a colonoscopy in August 2023 and was publicly disclosed in November 2024. He has said he has been privately dealing with the disease while pursuing treatment and making lifestyle changes, including a healthier diet and regular yoga. In interviews earlier this year, he described the support from fans who took action to get checked after his openness about colon cancer.
In March, around his 48th birthday, Van Der Beek described the past year as the hardest of his life, noting that his illness prompted him to reevaluate his identity beyond acting and to lean into his roles as a husband and father. He has spoken about the emotional toll of treatment and the importance of rest and family throughout his journey, emphasizing the need for visibility around cancer to encourage others to seek checkups and screenings.
The fundraiser tied to the Dawson's Creek reunion aims to support families affected by cancer, underscoring the cast's continued public-facing advocacy while navigating the star's illness. The event is part of a broader effort to leverage a beloved television reunion to raise awareness and funds for cancer-related causes, even as one of its central figures withdraws due to health concerns.