James Van Der Beek Bows Out of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Reunion Amid Cancer Battle

James Van Der Beek has announced he will not attend the highly anticipated “Dawson’s Creek” reunion due to some severe health issues, which notably include cancer.

In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, Van Der Beek expressed his deep disappointment for missing the gathering, organized by Michelle Williams. Notably, he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in November 2024, leaving a significant impact on his health journey.

In his post, Van Der Beek revealed he’s currently “out of commission” battling two stomach viruses, which have kept him “grounded at the worst possible moment.” He expressed his eagerness for the charity event, a plan that had been in the works since January.

The reunion is set to take place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC, where Van Der Beek was scheduled to join other cast members including Busy Philipps, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, among others.

Expressing his dismay, Van Der Beek stated that he is “bummed” about not being able to take the stage to thank the audience for their support against cancer during this challenging time.

In a twist to the bittersweet news, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the acclaimed creator of “Hamilton,” will step in for Van Der Beek at the event, ensuring the celebration of “Dawson’s Creek” goes on.