Dawson's Creek: Where are they now?

On Jan. 20, 1998, viewers were first introduced to Capeside, Massachusetts, and the town’s teenage residents. Starring James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, among others, Dawson’s Creek ran for six seasons, coming to a close in May 2003. See the cast reunited on the cover of the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, available here, and check out what the show’s stars are up to now, ahead. 

After popping up in episodes of Clarissa Explains It All and As the World Turns, James Van Der Beek led Dawson’s Creek as title character Dawson Leary, appearing on the show for the entirety of its five-year run. During that time, Van Der Beek also hit the big screen in Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction. After the show’s wrap, the actor largely focused on small-screen work, appearing in episodes of Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, One Tree Hill, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, How I Met Your Mother, and Friends with Better Lives before joining CSI: Cyber in 2015. His recently held a small role in Matt Damon-led Downsizing and is currently voicing Boris Hauntley on Disney Junior’s Vampirina. This summer, he will appear on the upcoming FX series Pose, co-created by Ryan Murphy. 

After making her acting debut in The Ice Storm, Katie Holmes joined Dawson’s Creek as Joey Potter. She played the quintessential girl next door for the length of the show’s run, also appearing in Disturbing Behavior, Go, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Wonder Boys, The Gift, Phone Booth, and Pieces of April during that time. After wrapping her run on the show in 2003, Holmes appeared in First Daughter, Batman Begins, Thank You for Smoking, The Romantics, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Jack and Jill, The Giver, and Woman in Gold, and returned to the small screen in episodes of The Kennedys and Ray Donovan. Next up, Holmes will make a cameo appearance in Ocean’s 8, which hits theaters June 8, 2018. 

Michelle Williams first hit the small screen in 1993, making her acting debut in an episode of Baywatch. The actress followed the gig with appearances in Lassie and Species before signing on to play Jen Lindley in Dawson’s Creek. Williams, who also booked gigs in Dick, Prozac Nation, and But I’m a Cheerleader during the show’s run, largely focused on film work after saying goodbye to Capeside. Her big-screen credits include four Oscar nominations and turns in Brokeback Mountain, Deception, Blue Valentine, Shutter Island, My Week with Marilyn, Oz the Great and Powerful, Manchester by the Sea, The Greatest Showman and All The Money in the World. In 2018, Williams is set to appear in the Amy Schumer-led comedy I Feel Pretty and to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring opposite Tom Hardy in Venom. 

Dawson’s Creek found its Pacey Witter in Joshua Jackson, who came into the role after appearing in The Mighty Ducks as Charlie Conway. Jackson played Pacey for the show’s entire run, also earning credits for Cruel Intentions, The Skulls, and Gossip. Following the 2003 finale, the actor appeared in Shadows in the Sun, Battle in Seattle, Shutter, and One Week, and returned to television as Peter Bishop on Fringe. Jackson is perhaps best known now as The Affair‘s Cole Lockhart.

As the World Turns alum Kerr Smith found his spot on Dawson’s Creek as Jack McPhee. The actor appeared on the show for five years, also hitting the big screen in Final Destination during that time. After wrapping his run, Smith did stints on Charmed, CSI: NY, Eli Stone, Life Unexpected, NCIS, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Fosters. 

Meredith Monroe booked her first major role as Dawson’s Creek‘s Andie McPhee, playing the teenager over multiple seasons. After the show’s wrap, the actress largely focused on television work, appearing in TV movies and episodes of Joan of Arcadia, CSI: Miami, Fathers and Sons, Bones, Crossing Jordan, and Psych. In recent years, Monroe earned credits for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Criminal Minds, Hart of Dixie, and The Edge of Seventeen.

Dawson’s Creek fans met Mary Beth Peil as Evelyn Ryan, better known as Grams. After spending decades on the stage as an opera singer and on Broadway, Peil made her on-screen acting debut in the ’90s. She played Jen’s grandmother for the show’s six seasons, continuing her on-screen appearances in The Stepford Wives, Flags of Our Fathers, Mirrors, and The Good Wife.

After spending more than a decade in the industry, Mary-Margaret Humes joined Dawson’s Creek as Gail Leery. The Eerie, Indiana alum played Dawson’s mother for the length of the show’s run and went on to appear in episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and Ghost Whisperer.

As the World Turns and Guiding Light star John Wesley Shipp returned to television as Dawson’s Creek‘s Mitch Leery. He played Dawson’s father for three years, going on to earn credits for episodes of JAG, One Life to Live, Teen Wolf, and The Flash.

After making her small-screen debut in Freaks and Geeks as Kim Kelly, Busy Philipps found her way to Dawson’s Creek in the show’s fifth season, playing Audrey Liddell. After wrapping her run in Capeside, the actress continued her television work in episodes of Life As We Know It, ER, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and hit the big screen in White Chicks, Made of Honor, He’s Just Not That Into You, and I Don’t Know How She Does It. In recent years, Philipps returned to television as Cougar Town‘s Laurie Keller and Vice Principals‘ Gale Liptrapp. She will appear alongside her Dawson’s co-star (and real-life BFF) Michelle Williams in I Feel Pretty, out April 20, 2018.