Katie Holmes, Dawson's Creek cast reunite to support James van der Beek and cancer research

Van der Beek has been open about his cancer diagnosis

AUGUST 20, 2025 8:28 PM EDTAUG 20, 2025, 8:28 PM EDT

Dawson's Creek is having a reunion. The beloved series is reuniting for the first time in 22 years, with all of its lead stars signed on for a live reading that will benefit F Cancer, an organization that provides information and support for victims of cancer. Making matters all the more personal, James Van Der Beek, the series lead star, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023.

Kerr Smith, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes at a celebration for the 100th episode of "Dawson's Creek" — Kerr Smith, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes made up some of the lead cast of the series

The event is called "Dawson's Creek Class Reunion" and will feature all of its lead cast, made up of Van der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. Other cast members in attendance include Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps.

The reunion will take place at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York this September 22nd.

The actors will be performing a live reading of the series' pilot episode, which aired in 1998, and launched one of the most famous TV shows of the era. The series creator, Kevin Williamson, shared a statement promoting the reading and revealing just how important the show was for his career and personal life.

James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes starred in 'Dawson's Creek' — James Van Der Beek has addressed his cancer diagnosis over the past years

“I am so excited to reunite with James, Michelle, Katie, Joshua, and our Dawson’s Creek family for such a special night,” he said.

"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 honored 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.”

More details about the show

Holmes and Jackson’s onscreen chemistry is legendary thanks to 'Dawson’s Creek.' — The cast remains as one of the most enduring ever in a teen drama, with all of its lead stars continuing to pursue their careers as actors years later

"Dawson's Creek" ran for six seasons, following a group of friends in the town of Capeside, Massachusetts, as they fall in and out of love with each other, and deal with personal issues like their parents' deaths and divorces, their lives in college, and more.

The show went on to become one of the staple series of the early aughts, launching the careers of its lead stars.