Why Devil May Cry Season 2, Episode 1 Is Dedicated To James Van Der Beek

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Be warned, this article reveals details from the first episode of Devil May Cry season 2, titled “The Fallen.” The animated series returned to Netflix on May 12, more than a year after its first season debuted in 2025. Although fans had theories about the direction of season 2 following the shocking ending of season 1, the premiere episode took an unexpected turn, featuring a tribute to the late James Van Der Beek.

The voice cast of Devil May Cry includes Johnny Yong Bosch, Kue Lawrence, and Evie Hsu, but James Van Der Beek (known from Dawson’s Creek) isn’t one of them. Many viewers were shocked when the first episode, “The Fallen,” concluded with a dedication: “For My Older Brother, JAMES VAN DER BEEK, 1977-2026.”

Adi Shankar, the creator and showrunner, shared with What’s On Netflix that the dedication to Van Der Beek stemmed from a story about the music in season 2. They had originally intended to use Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” but ended up using Korn’s “Freak on a Leash.” Shankar explained:

I remember showing a rough cut with Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” to James Van Der Beek a couple of years back. He was working on the “Roadhouse” series during the pandemic, and he immediately envisioned using it during a fight scene – specifically timed to the iconic drum break, with fighters moving through the drums. It was such a great idea, I actually pulled the song from my Devil May Cry project. I wanted James to have it for “Roadhouse” someday, and sadly, he passed away earlier this year. Beyond that, it felt right to really commit to a nu-metal sound for the show, and using such a widely known pop song just didn’t fit that vibe anymore. It was important to me he got that moment, and that the show stayed true to its musical direction.

Following his death, shows like Dawson’s Creek and Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 gained popularity on streaming services. However, the Roadhouse TV series he was filming was incomplete at the time of his passing on February 11, 2026.

Shankar’s decision to leave out “In the Air Tonight” as a tribute to his friend, whom he calls his “Older Brother,” is a really heartfelt moment, especially following the season 2 premiere’s dedication. This isn’t the first time Shankar has thoughtfully used the Devil May Cry series to express something personal.

Similar to the tribute at the beginning of season 2 with James Van Der Beek, the first episode of season 1 featured a memorial card honoring Kevin Conroy, the celebrated voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and numerous other works.

James Van Der Beek’s Onscreen Legacy Explained

I’ve always been amazed by James Van Der Beek’s career. It’s incredible to look back and see how long he’s been working! He actually started with a small role on Clarissa Explains It All way back in the early ’90s – I loved that show! Like a lot of successful actors, he also did some work on soap operas before becoming a huge star, which is really cool to know.

His big break came with the role of Dawson Leery in the popular 1990s TV show, Dawson’s Creek, on The WB. The series, which aired from 1998 to 2003, also launched the careers of stars like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, and Dawson’s Creek remained the role fans loved him for most.

While starring in Dawson’s Creek, James Van Der Beek transitioned to film with the sports drama Varsity Blues. He later demonstrated his range as an actor by appearing in crime dramas like Criminal Minds and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, proving he could play roles beyond teen television.

The actor found success in both comedic and dramatic roles, appearing in shows like Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 and CSI: Cyber. He even showed off his skills on Dancing with the Stars. One of his last projects is a recurring role in Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel coming to Prime Video, which hasn’t been released yet.

James Van Der Beek, the actor known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, recently passed away, and many celebrities publicly grieved his loss. Now, a tribute to him appears in the second season of Devil May Cry, which is currently available to stream on Netflix with eight episodes.

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2026-05-12 22:29