The news of James Van Der Beek’s passing on February 11 was a devastating blow to many Gen Xers and Millennials. We grew up watching him as the leading character in Dawson’s Creek in the late 1990s as well as beloved films like Varsity Blues. To us, Van Der Beek seemed ageless, like he’d always be around. But now, he’s gone and there’s a void in his absence. Thankfully, we will get to see James Van Der Beek onscreen in his recurring role in Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel TV series on Prime Video.
In it, he will play Dean Wilson, a mayoral candidate and the current school district superintendent. The show will make its debut on July 1. Additionally, he will appear in The Gates, a film coming to theaters on March 13. And, according to Deadline, the actor was also working on a memoir. So perhaps we will get that and learn more about the man behind the roles.
It is always hard to say goodbye to a beloved public figure like an actor. But, the beauty of their profession is that a piece of them lives on in their art forever. We are looking forward to watching Elle and seeing James Van Der Beek in that Prime Video series.