Since its premiere in 1998, Dawson's Creek has captivated fans and solidified its place as one of the most beloved teen dramas ever aired on television.
Centered around the life of Joey Potter (played by Katie Holmes), a young girl dealing with the loss of her mother while navigating the challenges of high school, the show follows her journey with the support of her best friend Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) and his loyal companion Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson). However, everything changes with the arrival of Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams), a newcomer from New York City who seamlessly integrates into the group, sparking a chain of events that reshapes their lives. Created by Kevin Williamson, the talented writer of the iconic film Scream, Dawson's Creek draws inspiration from his own personal experiences growing up in a small town.
Throughout the course of the six seasons, a multitude of new characters entered and exited the scene. Grams (Mary Beth Peil), Jen’s grandmother, remained a constant presence throughout all six seasons. Season 2 introduced siblings Jack and Andie McPhee, portrayed by Kerr Smith and Meredith Monroe, respectively. Additionally, Dawson’s parents, Mitch and Gale Leery (John Wesley Shipp and Mary-Margaret Humes), played crucial roles in the show. Audrey Liddell, portrayed by Busy Philipps, became Joey’s college roommate for the final two seasons. Addressing societal issues head-on, the show fearlessly tackled everyday situations, venturing where previous shows had not dared to go. In the year 2000, the show aired its groundbreaking same-sex kiss between two men, a moment that posed significant challenges.
Scroll through the gallery below to see where the cast is today:
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'Dawson's Creek' Cast: Where Are They Now?
Since its premiere in 1998, Dawson's Creek quickly gained a dedicated fan base and became one of the most beloved teen dramas on television.
The show revolves around Joey Potter (played by Katie Holmes), a tomboy navigating high school after the loss of her mother. Fortunately, she has her best friend Dawson Leery (played by James Van Der Beek) and his loyal sidekick, Pacey Witter (played by Joshua Jackson), by her side. The dynamic of the group is altered when a new girl named Jen Lindley (played by Michelle Williams), hailing from New York City, enters the picture and brings an unexpected change. The series was created by Kevin Williamson, known for his work on the film Scream, and draws inspiration from his own upbringing in a small town.
Throughout the course of six seasons, numerous characters made appearances and departures. Grams (Mary Beth Peil), Jen's grandmother, remained a constant presence throughout all six seasons. Season 2 saw the introduction of the sibling duo Jack and Andie McPhee, portrayed by Kerr Smith and Meredith Monroe respectively. Mitch and Gale Leery (John Wesley Shipp and Mary-Margaret Humes), Dawson's parents, also played pivotal roles in the show. During the final two seasons, Joey's college roommate, Audrey Liddell (Busy Philipps), became a new addition to the cast.
The show fearlessly delved into various pressing issues and approached common situations in a manner unlike any other shows before it. In 2000, the show notably aired a groundbreaking same-sex kiss between two men, which was not a simple feat to accomplish.
Scroll through the gallery below to see where the cast is today:
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Katie Holmes
After concluding her role on the show in 2003, Holmes continued her acting career and appeared in numerous films such as Pieces of April, Batman Begins, Mad Money, Ocean's 8, and the upcoming film Alone Together in 2022. She also took on the lead role in the miniseries The Kennedys in 2011, portraying Jackie Kennedy, and had a recurring role in Ray Donovan.
Before her relationship with Tom Cruise, Holmes was briefly engaged to Chris Klein. She eventually met Cruise in April 2005, and they were married from 2006 to 2012. Together, they have one child. Following their split, Holmes had an on-again, off-again relationship with Jamie Foxx from 2013 to 2019. In the following year, she began dating chef Emilio Vitolo Jr. However, their relationship came to an end after eight months, which was confirmed exclusively in May 2021. A year later, she was linked to her boyfriend Bobby Wooten III, but they also called it quits after eight months, as reported by Us in December 2022.
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James Van Der Beek
Following his portrayal of Dawson, Van Der Beek secured various television roles, prominently featuring in Mercy, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, CSI: Cyber, What Would Diplo Do? and Pose. In 2019, he showcased his dancing abilities on Dancing With the Stars, finishing in fifth place. The talented actor from Connecticut also lent his voice to the character Boris on Vampirina, spanning from 2017 to 2021.
Van Der Beek was married to Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009. In 2010, he married Kimberly Van Der Beek and the couple share six children.
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Joshua Jackson
Jackson's television career flourished following Dawson's Creek, with notable roles in Fringe, The Affair, When They See Us, and Little Fires Everywhere. He also achieved success in the film industry with appearances in Americano, Shutter, and One Week. Additionally, Jackson showcased his versatility on stage in productions such as A Life in the Theatre, Smart People, and Children of a Lesser God.
From 2006 to 2016, Jackson was in a relationship with Diane Kruger, known for her role in Mighty Ducks. Two years after their breakup, he began dating Jodie Turner-Smith, whom he married in 2019. The couple welcomed their first child in 2020. However, their marriage came to an end in September 2023, when Jackson and Turner-Smith separated, and she subsequently filed for divorce a month later.
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Michelle Williams
After gaining popularity in the teen drama genre, Williams transitioned to the silver screen, where she delivered outstanding performances in movies like Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn, Manchester by the Sea, and The Greatest Showman. In 2014, she showcased her talent in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, and two years later, she graced the stage in Broadway's Blackbird. With her remarkable talent, Williams has won the prestigious Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, earning her a Tony nomination and four Academy Award nominations.
Williams gave birth to a daughter in 2005 with the late Heath Ledger. She had a brief marriage to Phil Elverum from 2018 to 2019. In 2020, she tied the knot with Thomas Kail, director of Fosse/Vernon, and together they have a son named Hart. In May 2022, Williams announced that they are expecting their second child, making it her third. Later that year, she gave birth and was spotted in NYC with the newborn in October 2022.
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Mary Beth Peil
The actress, who has been nominated for Tony awards twice, has remained active in the acting industry following the conclusion of Dawson's Creek. She has appeared in television shows such as The Good Wife and has also starred in films like Flags of Our Fathers, Collateral Beauty, and The Village. Additionally, she has made a comeback to the stage, delivering memorable performances in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Follies, and Anastasia.
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Busy Philipps
Philipps achieved a prominent position in Cougar Town soon after the conclusion of Dawson's Creek. She then went on to star in White Chicks, He's Just Not That Into You, and The Gift. In 2019, she briefly hosted her own talk show called Busy Tonight. Currently, she hosts her own podcast titled "Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best" and stars in Girl5Eva.
In 2007, she married Marc Silverstein. They share two children named Birdie and Cricket. However, in May 2022, Philipps announced the separation of her and Silverstein in February 2021 after 14 years of marriage.
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Kerr Smith
Smith's career saw a tremendous boost from his appearances in My Bloody Valentine 3D and Final Destination 5, but it was on television where he truly excelled. Following his breakthrough on Dawson's Creek, Smith successfully landed numerous roles on popular TV shows such as Charmed, E-Ring, Justice, CSI: New York, Life Unexpected, The Fosters, and Riverdale.
He was married to Harmoni Everett from 2003 to 2009. He later married Lisa Smith and the couple run TerraLife Wellness company.
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Meredith Monroe
After leaving Dawson's Creek after season 4, Monroe went on to star in numerous projects such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Edge of Seventeen, Criminal Minds, Hart of Dixie, and 13 Reasons Why. She has been happily married to Steven Kavovit since 1999, and the couple is blessed with two children.
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Mary-Margaret Humes
Following her role in Dawson's Creek, Humes has made notable appearances in various television series, such as Grey's Anatomy, CSI, and Criminal Minds. Additionally, she has showcased her talent in numerous movies featured on the Hallmark Channel. Since 1992, Humes has been happily married to Raul Bruce.
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John Wesley Shipp
Following his departure from the show in 2001, the accomplished actor proceeded to forge a successful path in the realm of television and film. Notably, he showcased his talent in acclaimed productions like One Life to Live, Teen Wolf, and The Flash on CW. Additionally, he embraced the character of John Herring in the captivating Ruby Herring Mysteries movies, which were brought to life by Hallmark.