James Van Der Beek plays DJ Diplo in new Viceland comedy

James Van Der Beek to star in “What Would Diplo Do?” for Viceland.

Yep. Dawson Leary will play a fictional version of DJ Diplo in a scripted comedy series, a first for Vice Media and A+E Networks.

Van Der Beek wrote and stars in WWDD? sharing the co-executive producer title with the real Diplo. The DJ’s manager, Kevin Kusatsu, and music video director, Brandon Dermer, are set to direct. The project is being overseen by Viceland co-president, Spike Jonze.

One of the best tweets relating to this new series comes from @BrettRedacted, for sure:

DIPLO'S CREEK https://t.co/Tm4dAIWJri

— Brett (@BrettRedacted) January 4, 2017

“What Would Diplo Do?” is based on Diplo’s digital concert promo for his Mad Decent Block Party called “A Day in the Life”, which also features Daws-uhmmm-Van Der Beek as Diplo.

Here’s where things get a little confusing: Van Der Beek will not play the one true Diplo. No.

He’ll play a version of the DJ in a “collection of parables about life as told through the eyes of a guy who can bring 60,000 people to their feet, but kind of sucks one-on-one,” – Deadline

Thomas Wesley Pentz aka Diplo is part of Major Lazer and Jack Ü and won two Grammys in 2016; Best Dance Recording for “Where are Ü Now” (with Skrillex and Justin Bieber) and Best Dance/Electronic Album for “Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü”. He’s also up for two Grammys in 2017, both in the Album of the Year category with Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” and Justin Bieber’s “Purpose”.

This project will be a first for Van Der Beek in a major writing role, and as executive producer and showrunner. Since Dawson’s Creek, he’s had a few roles including “CSI: Cyber”, “Friends with Better Lives” and “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23”.