Overview
- Prime Video released Elle on July 1, 2026, and the eight-episode series includes Van Der Beek’s last television work, with the actor appearing in four episodes.
- Van Der Beek completed the role before his death on February 11, 2026, and his appearance in the series is presented posthumously.
- The show names his entry episode with a title card that reads “In loving memory of James Van Der Beek,” a tribute that appears before the end credits of episode three.
- Co-stars at the London premiere and in interviews remembered him as warm and family focused, saying he often spoke about his wife and six children while on set.
- After his death friends set up a GoFundMe for his family that has raised more than $2 million, and coverage notes Van Der Beek had publicly disclosed a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in August 2023.