The cast of Dawson’s Creek are reuniting for the first time since 2003 to support their co-star James Van Der Beek, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Van Der Beek, who played the lead role of Dawson in the teen drama, told People last year: “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
Plans have now been announced for a charity live reading of the show’s pilot episode, which will take place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York on September 22nd.
The charity event is in partnership with F Cancer and in support of James, the show's lead, amid his battle with colorectal cancer.
Core cast members Joshua Jackson who played Dawson’s best friend Pacey, and his love interests Joey and Jen played by Katie Holmes and Michelle Willians will join Van Der Beek at the event. Other cast members attending include Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps.
Kevin Williamson who wrote the series is co-producing the event. In a statement to Variety he expressed his delight “I am so excited to reunite with James, Michelle, Katie, Joshua, and our Dawson’s Creek family for such a special night”.
He continued: “Dawson’s Creek changed my life. What began as a personal story about a young man and his friends navigating their way through the challenges of life became so much more than I ever dreamed. It created an enduring fandom and legacy all over the world. I am so honoured to be a part of it and to support our beautiful friend, James, as we continue to navigate our way through life and its many challenges”.
Michelle Williams also shared a statement detailing how special the reunion will be.
"We grew up in Capeside, and that's a bond that will last a lifetime," she declared. "We wanted to gather around our dear friend James and remind him that we are all here. We always have been and we always will be. And I know the fans of Dawson's Creek feel the same way."
At its peak the series drew over 6million viewers in the US and has been fondly remembered by fans ever since.The teen drama ran from 1998 to 2003 and followed the lives of a close-knit group of high schoolers in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts.
Key cast members Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson all went on to find success after the show, with Williams becoming a five-time Oscar nominee and Holmes appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.
