Dawson’s Creek stars Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson reunited over the summer to film Happy Hour in New York City. It’s the first movie in a trilogy that Katie wrote and is directing. There were a lot of pictures of them together on set, which made tons of Millennial Dawson’s Creek fans happy, myself included.
Speaking of Dawson’s Creek fans being happy, Michelle Williams organized a big Dawson’s Creek reunion that took place this past weekend. It’s been 27 years since the series premiered, which is a fact that my Elder Millennial heart is having a very difficult time reconciling with. The cast was supposed to do a table read of the pilot episode to benefit the charity “F Cancer.” Sadly, Dawson aka James Van Der Beek, is currently battling colorectal cancer, and couldn’t attend because he was ill. Meanwhile, Katie and Joshua once again delighted fans by being overly affectionate at the show. They hugged and held hands during the curtain calls.
For millennials, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were OG couple goals—at least, they were on TV. In Dawson’s Creek, the pair played Joey and Pacey, on-again-off-again teens who eventually married. In real life, the pair did date, but their relationship only lasted a short time. However, Dawson’s Creek fans are currently spiraling—because the duo were just pictured getting very close again. At the Dawson’s Creek reunion, no less. This is what our teen dreams were made of.
Holmes and Jackson spent last night, September 22, at “The Dawson’s Creek Class Reunion,” a live reading of the show’s beloved pilot episode. The pair were joined by other Dawson’s cast members including Michelle Williams, Kerr Smith, John Wesley Shipp, Mary Margaret Humes, Meredith Monroe, Busy Philipps, Mary Beth Piel, and Nina Repeta. Lin-Manuel Miranda took over for Dawson Leery on behalf of James Van Der Beek who is currently battling colon cancer.
During the reunion, Holmes and Jackson were spotted holding hands and leaning on each other affectionately during the bows at the end of the performance.
Holmes and Jackson dated very briefly while co-starring in Dawson’s Creek back in the ’90s. Their short-lived romance ended sometime during the first season of the show in 1998.
“I fell in love, I had my first love, and it was something so incredible and indescribable that I will treasure it always,” Holmes later told Rolling Stone in response to a question about Jackson. “And that I feel so fortunate because he’s now one of my best friends. He’s been in the business so long, and he’s really helped me. I respect him as a friend and as a professional.”
Holmes and Jackson are also working on a new project together—Happy Hours, a romance about former sweethearts who reconnect years later. Yes, Joey and Pacey fans, I know what you’re thinking. But it’s worth noting that earlier this year, Holmes seemingly reminded fans that she and Jackson were in fact reuniting as friends and nothing more. “I am so very grateful to be working again with so many of my wonderful friends on this film Happy Hours. And working with Josh after so many years is a testament to friendship,” Holmes shared in July on Instagram alongside a cute snap of the pair.
I love, love, love that Katie and Joshua are still good friends after all of these years. I know that they’re never going to get together in real life, but in an otherwise tumultuous world, there is just something so comforting to know that Joey and Pacey are still serving sex appeal. Their chemistry really does come across even in the overall pictures from the performance. It’s been a tough year. Can we maybe have a nice thing, just this one time? A girl can dream.
I remember when the first season of Dawson’s Creek aired. I was in 8th grade and it was the era of slam books. I frequently listed Jackson’s Pacey as my number one crush (he alternated with my forever #1 hall pass, David Duchovny). As a Dawson’s fan in general, I love that all four of the original cast are still friendly and keep in touch. I also cannot wait for the Happy Hour premiere. I hope we get more Katie + Josh pictures, as well as another D’sC reunion.
The cast of “Dawson’s Creek” came together on Sept. 22 for an emotional, powerful reunion in New York City.
Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps took… pic.twitter.com/W2U0Fl1ffU
— Variety (@Variety) September 23, 2025
The way I read Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes relationship is kind of like they live their lives separately and happily but when they’re together, they ARE together. It’s all very healthy and mature and my personal head canon so shhh let me have this
pic.twitter.com/qygZSkBojG— Paige (@_samepaige_) September 23, 2025
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson are shown filming Happy Hours in late July and early August in New York City. Credit: Jose Perez/MediaPunch/Diamond/Backgrid, Roger Wong/INSTARimages, Jason Howard/BauerGriffin/INSTARimages and Getty
I know this is a little off topic but the screenshots of James Van Der Beek’s video appearance are so heartbreaking. It must have been so difficult for his wife and family to come to the event without him knowing his condition.
Oh man, I almost cried. Watching anyone in the throes of cancer is heartbreaking, and my teenage self is devasted for him and his family. I really, really hope he pulls through. That video was just so shocking and devasting.
This all reminds me of my going to a very small high school where on Monday morning everyone knew who everyone else went out with, where they went, and what they did!!! That caused me to go to one of the largest universities I could find so that I could get some privacy.
So, everyone, just LEAVE THESE POOR PEOPLE ALONE!! : )
I ship this!
They’re friends and if that is as far as it goes, they’re still two very attractive people enjoying this chapter of their lives.
Pacey 4eva!