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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Stuart Heritage

From James Van Der Beek to Carrie Fisher: TV’s greatest posthumous performances

James Van Der Beek in a suit
Happily self-aware … James Van Der Beek as Dean Wilson in Elle. Photograph: Kimberley French/Prime Video/AP

Those watching Amazon’s Legally Blonde prequel series Elle were treated to a surprise recently, as the show offered a posthumous appearance by James Van Der Beek. The actor, who died in February aged 48, had a fun little role as a crooked school district superintendent. As with most of his roles since Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek’s performance was bright and happily self-aware.

However, Van Der Beek is far from the only actor to have appeared on screen after their death. Here are some other standout posthumous performances.

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