The Dawson’s Creek cast is bringing it back to Capeside.
Approximately a year following James Van Der Beek’s disclosure of his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis at the age of 48, his co-stars from the ’90s teen drama have announced a one-night-only live reunion event on September 22, which will take place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be part of an extraordinary live reading event! We’re bringing the pilot episode of our beloved series to life, with all original stars gracing the stage. The lineup includes Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, Busy Phillips, and myself – James Van Der Beek! The best part? Proceeds from ticket sales will support the noble organization F Cancer. Can’t wait to see you there!
Michelle expressed this in a statement to UsWeekly, “Growing up together in Capeside has forged a bond that endures eternally. We came together to support our friend James, reminding him of our unwavering presence – past, present, and future. I believe the fans of Dawson’s Creek share this sentiment with us.
And the show’s creator Kevin Williamson echoed her sentiment about the special evening.
He expressed great anticipation for reconnecting with James, Michelle, Katie, Joshua, and the whole ‘Dawson’s Creek’ crew on this extraordinary evening. Originally, it started as a tale about a young man and his friends dealing with life’s hurdles, but it turned out to be so much bigger than I ever imagined.
He went on saying, “It left an indelible mark and global following. It’s a privilege to belong to this and aid our dear friend, James, in our joint journey as we face life’s complexities together.
On August 20, Busy took to Instagram to share some thrilling news, five months after subtly suggesting that the cast members of the ’90s teen drama series (which aired from 1998-2003) had been working on something special in memory of their fellow actor.
She announced in her post, “After countless months of preparation, here it is! It’s finally coming to life!!! Save the date: September 22. Be a part of an unforgettable event in New York City, where we will celebrate our cherished friend, James Van Der Beek.”
This marks the first significant get-together of the original cast since they posed together for the cover of Entertainment Weekly back in 2020, celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary.
Katie mentioned that while we’ve had individual interactions with each other throughout the years, it’s been rare for everyone to gather at once. Moreover, these meetings have never lasted very long,” was one way of paraphrasing Katie’s statement in a more natural and easy-to-understand manner.
For James, who revealed his diagnosis in November 2024 after three months of privacy, the reunion promised an exhilarating evening, as returning to work has become a significant distraction from his health issues for him lately.
James, who has children Olivia (14), Joshua (13), Annabel (11), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (3) with wife Kimberly, expressed his joy about work during an interview with Today on July 30. He spoke about working on the Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle. He mentioned that it was enjoyable to join the project because of its excellent cast, production, and the evident talent among all involved.
For a look back at all things Dawson’s Creek, keep reading.
While Fox was first to pick up Dawson’s Creek, it subsequently dumped the teen drama.
Kevin Williamson, the series creator, stated at the 2015 ATX TV Festival that he was informed they were already finding it difficult with “Party of Five” and didn’t require another similar series.
But that paved the way for The WB to pick it up two years later.
Initially, the producers of Dawson’s Creek hoped that “Hand in My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette would be the show’s theme song, but eventually, they chose “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole instead.
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 2018, he shared with The Hollywood Reporter that Dawson originated from a genuine location known as Dawson’s Creek, which served as our playground during childhood days and a venue for our parties. On the other hand, Pacey hailed from a friend of someone else called Pacey, whom he had never encountered before and found the name intriguingly unique.
For the main character, Williamson desired the name Josephine to have a distinctly feminine quality, yet be easily transformed into a more tomboyish nickname, such as Joey.
Remember Dawson’s infamous “walk the dog” line in the pilot?
In 1998, I was practically glued to my TV screen, a devoted fan, and it broke my heart when they couldn’t use the word “masturbation.” So, Williamson cleverly slipped in an euphemism, ensuring that the narrative could still be told, albeit indirectly. A true testament to his creative prowess!
Prior to Katie Holmes becoming the beloved neighbor sweetheart through her subsequent role, it was almost certain that the part would go to Blair instead.
In a conversation with THR, Williamson stated that Joe’s character was designed to be quite tomboyish and Selma Blair, an exceptional actress, gave a robust and emotional reading of the role. We almost cast her for the part.
Upon catching a glimpse of Holmes on video, specifically noticing his distinctive “two large eyes,” Williamson became certain that they had found their man they referred to as Joey.
Williamson liked Joshua Jackson so much, he didn’t care what role the Mighty Ducks alum played.
He confided to THR that he grew fond of Josh Jackson due to his versatility in portraying either Dawson or Pacey. However, there was a missing piece, and the network felt similarly – they didn’t envision Jackson as Dawson. As a result, he decided to cast him as Pacey instead, as he was determined to have him on the show regardless.
18-year-old Charlie Hunnam auditioned for a WB drama in 1999, but didn’t get the role. However, during the audition, he had the chance to meet Katherine Towne.
Three weeks after their wedding in Las Vegas, they ended their marriage in 2002, a union that Hunnam described as “terrible, painful, and costly” when speaking with the Associated Press in 2017.
Dawson’s Creek became so popular that American Eagle inked a deal in 2000 to outfit the actors.
During season three, the characters primarily donned apparel from the brand AE, while the acting ensemble also featured in marketing campaigns and promotional materials for the same clothing line. This association significantly boosted the company’s earnings, pushing their net income past $105 million in the year 2001.
When James Van Der Beek was first cast, the studio wanted him to change his hair.
He reminisced to The Daily Beast in 2012 about discovering an ad for the movie “The Devil’s Own,” starring Brad Pitt. When they asked, “What about Brad Pitt’s hairstyle?”, that’s how he ended up with his season one hairdo.
Holmes had a relationship with Jackson at the beginning of the series, prior to Pacey and Joey discovering their mutual dislike for one another.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1998, Holmes shared that during the previous year, they had encountered someone who became much more than an acquaintance. He described this person as the first love of his life, an experience he found extraordinary and unforgettable. Today, Holmes is grateful to call this individual a dear friend. The relationship, Holmes explained, resembles the close friendship between Dawson and Joey from the television series Dawson’s Creek.
Another valuable point: “He’s had such a long career in this field,” she noted, “and he’s been incredibly beneficial to me. I hold him in high esteem, both personally and professionally.
Initially, when Kerr Smith agreed to star in the show as Joey’s new love interest, he wasn’t aware that the character would later reveal his sexual orientation, becoming a part of the first televised same-sex kiss.
Williamson stated during the ATX TV Festival that he had always hoped Jack would reveal his sexuality, but he didn’t discuss this with Smith. His intention was for the audience to grow fond of Jack first, then have him come out, which would present a challenge for Joey and potentially lead her back to Dawson.
In a more striking manner, Williamson noted that each character on the show shares some traits with him, even Jack.
He shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2018 that each character on the show carries a piece of him, as he had gone through the process of coming out as gay in his twenties and wanted a character to embody that experience and reflect his personal journey.
The “coming out” episode featuring Jack, a character co-written by Williamson and producer Greg Berlanti, draws inspiration from real-life experiences.
According to Berlanti, a friend shared a tale with me which unintentionally exposed his sexuality. He did this by penning a heartfelt love poem that left no doubt in others’ minds that the subject was a male romantic interest.
The close friendship between Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps, initially nurtured during their time on Dawson’s Creek, remains robust to the present day.
The enduring bond of friendship between Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps, forged during their days on Dawson’s Creek, continues to flourish even today.
Williams expressed to People at a 2016 screening of “Manchester by the Sea” that her friend was deeply loved by him. He emphasized, “She’s demonstrating that the person you can truly love isn’t necessarily a man. That’s the love of my life right there.
Philipps is also godmother to Williams’ daughter Matilda Ledger, who was born in 2005.
The moment when Dawson lost his virginity on screen was so significant that Van Der Beek, on the day of filming, presented a unique memento to set the stage.
He informed The Daily Beast that he had provided champagne for the team, followed by a revelation about Dawson losing his virginity.
Prior to his main role in “One Tree Hill,” Chad Michael Murray made an appearance on “Dawson’s Creek” as Charlie, a romantic interest for both Jen and Joey.
While Charlie was sociable, it appeared that Murray wasn’t very successful in making friends during his initial time in North Carolina (which later became the setting for OTH).
At a Paley event in 2009, Phillips referred to him as a “rude person”. Later, he clarified that he was not overly concerned about damaging his relationship with CMM.
In response, Van Der Beek stated, “He’s made significant progress.” Following the event, Philipps posted on Twitter, “I may have been overly critical of Chad [Van Der Beek]. Well, no, I probably wasn’t.
Meanwhile, Murray has remained quiet on the matter, expressing in 2015 that he gained valuable insights from the experience.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan.com back in 2015, he shared that when he joined the cast of Dawson’s, he benefited greatly from experienced colleagues like Michelle, James, Katie, and Josh who had been part of the show for a few more years than him. Essentially, they took me under their wing because they were already seasoned actors with around five to six years of experience or more. They patiently taught me the intricacies of our work, especially aspects such as lighting, which I was clueless about initially. So, I’m truly thankful for that enlightening experience.
Over the years, a variety of well-known actors and actresses, some already established and others on their way to stardom, made appearances on the show Dawson’s Creek: Seth Rogen, Jane Lynch, Julie Bowen, Scott Foley, Jensen Ackles, Hilarie Burton, Rachel Leigh Cook, Ali Larter, and Oliver Hudson.
The brief series “Young Americans” focused on the character Will Krudski, played by Rodney Scott, and his fellow students at Rawley Academy, where they resided.
Also starring Ian Somerhalder and Kate Bosworth, it was canceled after just one season.
In the final episode of the series in 2003, the central romantic entanglement of the show was resolved as Joey opted for Pacey instead.
However, things didn’t end up as initially planned by Williamson, as he had originally imagined Dawson winning the girl. Yet, midway through penning the final episode, Williamson discovered that a joyful conclusion for that particular pairing didn’t align with the original premise of the show.
He shared during the ATX TV Festival that his intention for the series was to create a unique take on teenage stories, while also making it unexpected, authentic, and insightful about soul mates. To accomplish this, he structured the show in a specific manner. As the final scene concluded, the characters felt like family, each having achieved their individual goals, leading to a sense of accomplishment and overall happiness.
At the final moment, I too found myself second-guessing my decision, and history as we know it on television unfolded. However, Williamson confessed that his mother, a former player for Team Dawson, wasn’t pleased with my last-minute change of heart.
Towards the end, we skipped forward five years, and the team found themselves grappling with the heart-wrenching absence of Jen.
The tragic loss of one of their group members served as the defining moment propelling them into maturity for good. According to Williamson, this was the essence behind the storyline in Dawson’s Creek, and the decision to end it that way. In other words, we chose to kill off Jen because I felt it was important for them to confront the reality of a peer’s death as their ultimate life lesson.
Some of the executive producers who get their start on Dawson’s?
These individuals are renowned creators who have contributed significantly to the television industry. Julie Plec is known for shows like The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, Greg Berlanti has a diverse portfolio including Everwood, Arrow, The Flash, Riverdale, and several films, Rob Thomas is recognized for Veronica Mars and iZombie, Jenny Bicks is famous for Sex and the City, Anna Fricke for Being Human, and Dana Baratta for Jessica Jones. Each of them has made a notable impact on TV entertainment.
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2025-08-21 04:17