Is Back Together!

Ahead of the cast's hotly anticipated (and highly personal) reunion, Us goes inside the stars' deep bonds that started on set more than 20 years ago

- by ISABEL MOHAN

When James Van Der Beek announced via social media last November that he'd privately been receiving treatment for Stage 3 colorectal cancer, a generation of Dawson's Creek fans were stunned and devastated.

They'd grown up with this guy, and loved how, in his many family-centric Instagram posts, his real-life persona reflected the earnestness of Dawson Leery offset with warmth, wisdom and a great sense of humor. How could this be happening to someone so positive and healthy?

But the star's inner circle had already been rallying around the actor, 48, for months — not just his friends and family, but also his Dawson's crew. Because, while many stars of the golden era of teen shows may occasionally heart each other's Insta posts, bonds go deeper than that for this group, proving that what happened in Capeside — actually, Wilmington, North Carolina, where the show filmed — didn't stay in Capeside. They made meaningful relationships that have supported them through serious ups and downs since.

That's why their long-awaited public reunion is as exciting for them as it is for the hordes of fans who clamored for tickets (it sold out in 12 minutes!). The Sept. 22 event, which takes place on Broadway, will see the original cast performing a live reading of the show's iconic 1998 pilot episode to benefit the nonprofit F Cancer and Van Der Beek, as well as raise awareness of the importance of early detection.

"We grew up in Capeside, and that's a bond that will last a lifetime," Van Der Beek's costar Michelle Williams said in a statement announcing the reunion, which will also feature creator Kevin Williamson. "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."

Coming Back Together