James Van Der Beek surprisingly joins the Dawson’s Creek reunion virtually after falling ill

James Van Der Beek surprised fans with a virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event on Monday, Sept. 22, after initially canceling due to illness. The 48-year-old actor couldn’t attend in person at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, so a prerecorded video of him was shown onstage.

In the video, Van Der Beek thanked fans for attending and introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda as his understudy. “I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together. I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast, in person,” he said, expressing gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans for supporting the event.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Van Der Beek shared on Instagram that he had developed two stomach viruses and couldn’t attend, but confirmed that Miranda, 45, would step in. His wife, Kimberly, said she and their children still attended to honor his wishes, even joining the cast onstage to sing the show’s theme song, “I Don’t Want To Wait.”

The reunion brought together Dawson’s Creek stars, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps. The cast performed a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and support Van Der Beek, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year.

Van Der Beek has openly discussed his health journey since his diagnosis in November 2024. He told PEOPLE, “Miracles do happen—and they happen all the time. It’s scary at the onset. It’s overwhelming. Go easy on yourself. You got this.”

“I’ve really been so blessed with my wife and kids,” he added. “I’ve got a lot to live for, and it’s a beautiful life.”