Overview

• James Van Der Beek missed the Sept. 22 reunion after contracting two stomach viruses while undergoing treatment for stage 3 colorectal cancer.
• He addressed the audience in a pre-recorded video message, thanking supporters and introducing Lin-Manuel Miranda as his understudy.
• Miranda read Dawson’s lines alongside Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Busy Philipps during a live reading of the pilot.
• Kimberly Van Der Beek attended with their six children, and daughters Olivia, 14, and Emilia, 9, performed the show’s theme song onstage.
• Cast members shared emotional tributes afterward, with Katie Holmes praising their “everlasting bond” and Busy Philipps describing the night as beautiful despite his absence.