On Sunday evening, James Van Der Beek took to Instagram to announce that he will not be participating in the highly anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion scheduled for Monday. The beloved actor revealed that he is suffering from a stomach illness, which prevents him from attending the event. This announcement comes after Van Der Beek disclosed his cancer diagnosis last November, when he was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer.
In a heartwarming twist for fans, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Award-winning creator of "Hamilton," will take over the role of Dawson during the reunion's table read. Van Der Beek expressed his disappointment in his Instagram post, stating, “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.” He continued, “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. Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there.”
However, he reassured fans, saying, “But I DO have an understudy,” referring to Miranda as a “ridiculously overqualified replacement.” Van Der Beek humorously noted that Miranda would be someone his children would consider an upgrade over him. He added, “Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that’s convenient.” The announcement that Lin-Manuel Miranda would step into the role of Dawson marks a significant moment in the reunion's history.
The Dawson’s Creek reunion, first announced in August, marks a nostalgic gathering of the original cast for the first time since the series concluded its run in 2003. This special event not only celebrates the iconic show but also serves as a fundraiser for F Cancer, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about cancer. The table read will feature the pilot episode of the show, which first aired in 1998, and will include appearances from notable cast members such as Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Busy Philipps.
Other cast members like Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, and Meredith Monroe are also set to participate, with Smith, Monroe, and Philipps taking on various roles from the pilot episode. The reunion will be directed by Jason Moore, who previously directed three episodes of the WB teen drama.
Kevin Williamson, the series creator, expressed gratitude and excitement about the reunion, emphasizing the importance of coming together for a cause. In a statement to Variety, Williamson said, “I’m so grateful and excited that everyone is coming together for one night to honor James and Fuck Cancer.” He also teased that director Jason Moore has some “pretty amazing surprises in store” for the audience.
The reunion event is produced by a talented team including Carl Ogawa, Jason Moore, Michelle Williams, Thomas Kail, Maggie Brohn, and Greg Berlanti. Fans of Dawson’s Creek will undoubtedly cherish this rare opportunity to see their favorite characters reunited, even as they send their best wishes to James Van Der Beek during this challenging time.
