Dawson’s Creek Stars Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes Reunite in NYC

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A reunion between Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes is one Dawson’s Creek fans never want to wait for. 

Fortunately, the popular teen drama’s cast members quickly got together for a fun reunion at the New York premiere of the documentary Brunello: The Gracious Visionary on April 14th.

Katie and Joshua recently attended an event at Lincoln Center’s David Koch Theater, and they looked fantastic together on the red carpet. Their connection was clear, just like when they played Joey Potter and Pacey Witter on TV! They definitely dressed up from their usual casual style from the show.

Katie wore a striking sparkly skirt with a white button-down shirt worn stylishly off-the-shoulder, revealing a black tank top underneath. She completed her look with a simple black clutch and long, wavy hair.

Okay, let’s talk style! I noticed Joshua, who’s also 47, really made a statement with his outfit. He chose a striking red suit jacket, which he balanced beautifully with classic blue trousers and a crisp white button-down. The finishing touches – a blue bowtie and a white pocket square – were just perfect. It’s a confident, put-together look that shows you can definitely embrace color as you get older!

Katie and Joshua looked fantastic, but their warm and happy attitudes were what truly made the occasion special. Katie, who shares 19-year-old daughter Suri with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, and Joshua were beaming as they arrived together, clearly showcasing their nearly thirty-year friendship.

Fans of Dawson’s Creek will soon be able to see Katie and Joshua together on the big screen again. Joshua, known for his role in Doctor Odyssey, is joining Katie in her upcoming movie, Happy Hours, which started filming last year.

Joshua explained that Katie wrote a lovely story for them, which they’re turning into a three-part film. They’ve already filmed the first part – the exciting beginning of a romance – and Katie is currently editing it. They hope its release will allow them to film the remaining two parts of the story.

Actor Joshua Jackson, who has a 6-year-old daughter named Juno with his ex-wife, Jodie Turner-Smith, said he’s really enjoyed being back on set with Katie.

Okay, seriously, hearing Joshua talk about this just kills me! He was saying how they all went through this incredibly intense period together, and even though they’ve been best friends ever since, they never got to film anything together until now! He said it was pure magic, and honestly? I completely believe him. It’s like, all that history, all that energy… finally captured. I’m obsessed with the idea of it!

As he put it, “It was so nice to go back to that place.”

To revisit the fascination of Capeside for yourself, keep reading for more Dawson’s Creek secrets…

While Fox was first to pick up Dawson’s Creek, it subsequently dumped the teen drama. 

Oh my god, I was practically living for any news about this show back in 2015! I remember reading that Kevin Williamson, the genius behind it all, said at the ATX TV Festival that the network was already worried about Party of Five doing well, and they just didn’t think they could handle another drama. It was so frustrating, like they didn’t get how amazing this could be! I was devastated, honestly.

But that paved the way for The WB to pick it up two years later.

Although Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want to Wait” is famously known as the theme song for Dawson’s Creek, the show’s producers initially preferred Alanis Morissette’s “Hand in My Pocket.”

Alas, they couldn’t land the rights, what a jagged little pill.

Dawson. Pacey. Joey. Not names you hear every day. So how did Williamson come up with them? 

In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dawson explained that the town in the show was based on a real place called Dawson’s Creek, where he and his friends spent their childhoods. He said the character Pacey was inspired by someone he knew through a friend – he’d never actually met anyone named Pacey before and just liked the sound of it.

The show’s creator, Williamson, chose the name Josephine because it felt feminine but could also be shortened to the more masculine nickname Joey, reflecting the character’s personality.

Remember Dawson’s infamous “walk the dog” line in the pilot?

In 1998, the network prohibited the use of the word “masturbate,” so Williamson used a more subtle phrase instead.

Before Katie Holmes became known as America’s darling, Blake Lively was almost cast in that same role.

The character of Joe was originally conceived as a tomboy, and many of the actresses auditioning embodied that quality. Selma Blair was a strong contender; she delivered a powerful and heartfelt performance during her audition, according to creator Williamson.

But after seeing Holmes on video—with “those big eyes”—Williamson realized they’d found their suspect.

Williamson liked Joshua Jackson so much, he didn’t care what role the Mighty Ducks alum played.

I was immediately impressed with Josh Jackson’s acting ability – he could have played either Dawson or Pacey, as he told The Hollywood Reporter. However, the network felt he wasn’t right for the role of Dawson, and they were probably correct. That’s when I decided he was perfect for Pacey, because I was determined to have him on the show no matter what.

In 1999, a young Charlie Hunnam, then 18 years old, auditioned for a drama on The WB. Although he wasn’t cast in the role, he did meet Katherine Towne during the audition process.

Hunnam and his wife eloped to Las Vegas just three weeks after meeting, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2002. He later described the three years they were married as “terrible, painful, and expensive.”

Dawson’s Creek became so popular that American Eagle inked a deal in 2000 to outfit the actors.

Throughout the third season, characters on the show primarily wore clothing from AE (American Eagle). The cast also promoted the brand in advertisements and promotional materials, which helped the company earn over $105 million in 2001.

When James Van Der Beek was first cast, the studio wanted him to change his hair.

He remembered telling The Daily Beast in 2012 that they were advertising the movie The Devil’s Own, starring Brad Pitt, and someone asked about Pitt’s haircut. He said that’s how he decided on his look for the first season.

Holmes and Jackson started dating in the first season of the show, before Pacey and Joey began to develop feelings for each other.

In a 1998 interview with Rolling Stone, Holmes revealed she met someone the previous year—strongly implying it was Michael Jackson—and fell in love. She described it as her first, unforgettable experience, something she’d always cherish. She also expressed gratitude that they’ve remained close friends, comparing their relationship to the platonic bond between Dawson and Joey on the TV show Dawson’s Creek.

She also shared that he’s a long-time industry veteran who has been a great help to her. She expressed her respect for him both personally and professionally.

When Kerr Smith agreed to play Joey’s boyfriend on the show, he didn’t realize the character would later come out as gay and be featured in what would become the first gay kiss ever shown on television.

I always hoped Jack would publicly come out as gay, but I didn’t even discuss it with [Smith],” Williamson explained at the ATX TV Festival. “I wanted the audience to fall in love with Jack first, then have him come out and show how Joey would react—and ultimately, that would bring her back to [Dawson].

Interestingly, Williamson has shared that he sees a part of himself in every character on the show, even Jack.

He explained to Entertainment Weekly in 2018 that he put a piece of himself into every character. He’d recently come out to his parents in his 20s and wanted to portray that experience through a character on the show, allowing him to represent that personal journey and that part of his identity.

The episode where Jack came out was based on a real-life story and was written with help from both Williamson and producer Greg Berlanti.

Berlanti shared a story about a friend who was unintentionally revealed to be gay, as told to EW. Apparently, his feelings came out when he wrote a love poem that everyone recognized was about a man.

Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps have been best friends ever since they first met on the set of Dawson’s Creek, and they remain close to this day.

In 2016, while at a screening of Manchester by the Sea, Williams told People magazine how much she loves her close friend. She described her friend as proof that your soulmate doesn’t need to be a romantic partner, calling her ‘the love of my life.’

Philipps is also godmother to Williams’ daughter Matilda Ledger, who was born in 2005.

The episode where Dawson lost his virginity was a major event, and actor Van Der Beek marked the occasion by bringing a memorable gift to the set on filming day.

He recalled bringing champagne to celebrate with the crew, joking that it was because Dawson had finally lost his virginity, as he told The Daily Beast.

Before becoming famous on One Tree Hill, Chad Michael Murray appeared on Dawson’s Creek as Charlie, who dated both Jen and Joey.

Although Charlie was sociable, Murray didn’t seem to connect with many people during his initial time in North Carolina, where OTH was later filmed.

At a Paley panel in 2009, Philipps publicly called the person “a douche,” then added, “I’m not too concerned about damaging my relationship with CMM.”

Van Der Beek also noted that Chad Michael Murray has improved a lot. After the panel discussion, Philipps joked on Twitter that she might have been too critical of him, but then decided she probably wasn’t.

Murray, on the other hand, has remained quiet about the situation, stating in 2015 that he gained valuable lessons from it.

Looking back at the start of my time on Dawson’s Creek, I really owe a lot to my castmates. Michelle, James, Katie, and Josh had already been navigating the TV world for five or six years – even longer, honestly – and they took me under their wing. I was so green! I didn’t understand anything about lighting or the technical side of filming. They were incredibly generous with their time, patiently showing me the ropes, and I’m truly grateful for that early guidance. It really helped me learn the business.

Over the years, Dawson’s Creek featured a number of well-known actors, including future stars like Seth Rogen, Jane Lynch, Julie Bowen, Scott Foley, Jensen Ackles, Hilarie Burton, Rachel Leigh Cook, Ali Larter, and Oliver Hudson.

Oh my gosh, Young Americans! It was tragically cut short, but it was EVERYTHING. It followed Will Krudski, Pacey’s awesome friend – played by the incredible Rodney Scott, by the way – and all his drama at this fancy boarding school called Rawley Academy. I seriously wish it had lasted longer!

Also starring Ian Somerhalder and Kate Bosworth, it was canceled after just one season.

The central romantic conflict of the show wrapped up in the 2003 finale when Joey ultimately chose Pacey.

You know, when I first heard how the show almost ended, I was surprised! The creator originally planned for a different couple to wind up together. But then, about halfway through writing the final episode, it hit him – that pairing just didn’t feel right for the story we were telling. It wasn’t the natural conclusion the show deserved, so he made a big change! It really shows how important it is to stay true to your vision, even if it means altering initial plans.

As a storyteller, I really wanted to shake up the typical teen drama and create something truly authentic. I aimed for a show that felt honest and explored the idea of soulmates – what that connection really means. That’s why the ending played out the way it did. We wanted to leave viewers with a sense of completion, showing that these characters had become a family and, ultimately, found their happiness. It was about fulfillment for everyone involved.

He switched his decision right before it was finalized, and the outcome became a widely discussed moment. Williamson later revealed that his mother, who supported the opposing team, wasn’t pleased with his choice.

The final episode jumped forward five years and showed the group struggling with the heartbreaking loss of Jen.

The death of a main character was meant to mark the final step in the group’s journey into adulthood. As creator Kevin Williamson explained, that’s why Jen died – to force the characters to confront loss and learn a final, crucial life lesson. The show, Dawson’s Creek, was always about growing up, and this ending was designed to reflect that.

Some of the executive producers who get their start on Dawson’s? 

Julie Plec, known for creating shows like The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, Greg Berlanti (whose extensive credits include Everwood, Arrow, The Flash, and Riverdale, among others), Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars, iZombie), Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City), Anna Fricke (Being Human), Dana Baratta (Jessica Jones), and numerous other talented writers have all contributed to the world of television.

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2026-04-15 18:50