Busy Philipps tears up over James Van Der Beek missing ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion

Busy Philipps got emotional discussing James Van Der Beek’s absence from the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion.

The actress teared up while telling her Instagram followers Monday how “heartbreaking” it was “for a million different reasons” to have her former co-star miss the New York City event.

“But I was so glad that Kimberly [Van Der Beek] and all the kids [were there],” the “Freaks and Geeks” alum, 46, added of James’ wife and their six children.

Philipps noted that the “Varsity Blues” actor’s dad and sister were also in attendance, as well as Kimberly’s family and friends.

“It was just really beautiful,” the former “Busy Tonight” host gushed. “James [was] getting lots of videos and Facetimes and texts and things. We just love him so much.”

James, who played Dawson Leery on the six-season show, announced over the weekend that he was missing the reunion amid his colorectal cancer battle.

The “Dancing With the Stars” alum was “gutted” but dealing with “two stomach viruses [that had] conspired to knock [him] out of commission and keep [him] grounded.”

He was replaced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with the Broadway star taking part in the table read of the first episode of “Dawson’s Creek” alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams and more.

James did, however, surprise fans with a virtual appearance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

“I can’t believe I’m not there,” he told attendees. “I can’t believe I don’t get to see my … beautiful cast in person.

“It’s just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you,” James continued. “Thank you to every single person here.”

The “Pose” alum was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and went public with the news the following year, telling People he was “in a place of healing.”

He noted, “When I’ve been out of the woods completely for what feels like a responsible amount of time, I’ll circle back and let you know.”

During Monday’s curtain call, James’ brood — Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3 — joined Kimberly and “Dawson’s Creek” cast members onstage.

Two of his daughters had microphones and sang the show’s theme song, “I Don’t Wanna Wait” by Paula Cole, which made Philipps cry.

“NGL I did have to turn around for a sec when the girls started singing,” the “Girls5eva” star wrote via Instagram Stories on Tuesday. “I was starting to sob and needed to get it together.”