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The cast of Dawson’s Creek gathered for a charity reunion event in New York City on September 22 in honour of cast member James Van Der Beek and charity F**k Cancer to draw attention to and raise money for those suffering from colorectal cancer.
But in a strange twist of fate, Mary-Margaret Humes, who played James’ on-screen mother, Gale, in the hugely popular teen drama, has revealed she survived her own secret battle with the same cancer in 2007.
Now thankfully having come out the other side, the 71-year-old said it was important for the cast to come together to support the 48-year-old actor during what’s become a “difficult situation”.
“It was a way for us to actually have a reunion, all of us together, and celebrate James’ life … together as a TV family, we just thought we needed to be there for him and rally around him,” she said.
Surprise video cameo
Having been “looking forward MOST” to reuniting with his pals on stage at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, James took to social media just hours before the event began to share that illness had forced him to cancel his appearance.
After coming down with two stomach viruses amid his cancer fight, he told fans he was “gutted” that he wouldn’t be able to “thank every soul in the theatre for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most”.
However, in a welcome surprise, his frail but spirited figure lit up the stage via video link.
In a pre-recorded message, the actor addressed his cast and the audience, thanking them for purchasing tickets: “It’s just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here.
“I have been looking forward to this night for months and months, ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” the father-of-six added, lamenting his disappointment at not getting to see his “beautiful cast in person”.
He then introduced Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda as his Dawson understudy for the night, joking that his kids would consider the Hamilton star an “upgrade”.
Pacey kissed who?!
While the crowd sat poised waiting for former on-and-off-screen lovers Joshua Jackson, 47, and Katie Holmes, 46, to replicate Pacey and Joey’s romantic chemistry, theirs wasn’t the kiss they were rewarded with!
Busy Philipps, 46, was the envy of fans everywhere when she locked lips with Joshua (as Pacey) while reading lines as the teenager’s high school teacher Tamara Jacobs in a scandalous scene that shocked when it first aired.
“You fantasise about what it would be like to be with that young boy on the verge of manhood, ’cause it helps you stay feeling attractive,” Joshua began, in character as impressionable teen Pacey. “Well, let me tell you something. You blew it lady, because I’m the best sex you’ll never have!”
To which Busy, as Tamara, responded: “You’re wrong about one thing, Pacey: you’re not a boy.”
She then pulled him in and the pair indulged in a steamy embrace that the crowd wholeheartedly enjoyed, judging by their rapturous applause!
Singalong fun
In a moment that brought all Dawson’s Creek diehards to tears, James’ wife, Kimberly, and daughters Olivia, 14, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 6, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 2, joined the cast on-stage to sing the show’s theme song, ‘I Don’t Want to Wait’ by Paula Cole.
Olivia and Emilia proved they’ve inherited their father’s star power as they stood centrestage to get the proceedings started, the rest of the cast looking on like proud aunts and uncles as they belted out the hit tune, before everyone joined in.
“This night was so special to the whole family and, more importantly, feeling my husband fill the entire theatre, and the love for him,” Kimberly shared online after the reunion.
In another post, she added that bonding with Michelle, Katie and Busy was “bittersweet” because her husband wasn’t there to revel in it.
Huge Hollywood guest star
In a nod to Dawson being an as aspiring movie maker with dreams of being the next Steven Spielberg on the show, producers teed up a very special guest to surprise the man of honour: Spielberg himself!
“Dawson, you made it,” the Oscar winner declared in a video message. “Maybe someday, I will get to have a ‘Dawson’s’ closet.”
James’ prognosis
James announced his diagnosis with colorectal cancer in November 2024 and has since revealed that he remains optimistic, despite the gruelling journey so far.
“Miracles do happen – and they happen all the time,” he told People magazine. “It’s scary at the onset. It’s overwhelming.”
He continued, “I’ve really been so blessed with my wife and kids. I’ve got a lot to live for, and it’s a beautiful life.”
Where to watch Dawson’s Creek
Take a trip down memory lane with your favourite Capeside residents and watch the entire six seasons of Dawson’s Creek on Stan.
