See Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson's Cutest Throwback Photos from Their “Dawson's Creek” Days
See Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson's Cutest Throwback Photos from Their “Dawson's Creek” Days
Jordana ComiterWed, April 22, 2026 at 5:02 PM UTC
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Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson for 'Dawson's Creek.'Credit: Columbia TriStar International Television/Courtesy of Getty -
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson starred on Dawson's Creek together as friends-to-lovers Joey Potter and Pacey Witter
The pair had an off-screen romance from 1998 until 1999
Now, they are reuniting to star in Happy Hours, a film that Jackson said Holmes wrote for "the two of us"
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, few on-screen romances gained as much attention as Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson's Dawson's Creek characters.
The WB teen drama premiered in 1998, introducing viewers to Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) and his core group of friends, including Joey Potter (Holmes) and Pacey Witter (Jackson). By the time the series wrapped in 2003, Joey and Pacey's friends-to-lovers story line cemented its spot in iconic television romances.
But, before Joey and Pacey became an item in the series, Holmes and Jackson had a quiet, real-life romance of their own, dating from 1998 until 1999 and continuing to work together after their split.
Now, the pair — who are both divorced — have reunited in recent months for Holmes' new project, Happy Hours, a trilogy of films she wrote, directed and starred in (alongside Jackson) that follows past loves who cross paths and rekindle their connection years later. During a March 2026 appearance on Today, Jackson said that Holmes "wrote this beautiful story for the two of us."
Off-screen, Holmes has subtly liked comments on Instagram in April 2026 that suggested she and Jackson should "be a couple," teasing that art might be intimidating life.
Below, here's a look back at Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson's cutest throwback photos.
01 of 09
The beginning of Dawson's Creek
Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.Credit: Getty
The teen drama aired in January 1998, starring the late Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery, Holmes as Joey Potter, Jackson as Pacey Witter and Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley. The series followed the teenagers as they experienced the ups and downs of friendship and romance in high school and college.
02 of 09
Pacey and Joey's first kiss
Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes in 'Dawson's Creek' "Cinderella Story" episode.Credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
Many Dawson's Creek episodes go down in history, but season 3's "Cinderella Story" marked a pivotal one for Pacey and Joey shippers as the friends faced their feelings and shared their first kiss.
03 of 09
A real-life romance
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson publicity still for 'Dawson's Creek'Credit: Fred Norris/PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
Holmes and Jackson dated from 1998 until 1999, before their Dawson's Creek characters got together on-screen.
04 of 09
Sailing into the sunset
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson for 'Dawson's Creek'Credit: Fred Norris/PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
Their on-screen love story changed forever in 2000, when the season 3 finale saw Pacey set sail on his boat — with Joey joining him.
05 of 09
Team Pacey
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson for 'Dawson's Creek'Credit: Globe Photos/ZUMA Wire
In March 2025, Jackson spoke to PEOPLE about the longtime Dawson's Creek debate over who Joey's endgame should have been, saying, "I'll go to my grave Team Pacey."
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The actor previously told Entertainment Weekly in May 2022 that he spoke to creator Kevin Williamson about making Joey and Pacey end up together, despite his initial plans to have her and Dawson get a happily ever after.
"I am the advocate! I was like 'Hell no! No. No. No. That's not gonna work for me," Jackson said, going on to share his conversation with Williamson.
"Like 'Look, I get it. This is the idea that you had in your head, but I'm just gonna ask you to watch the tale of the tape and this is the more interesting end for these characters,' " Jackson recalled.
06 of 09
Off-screen moments
Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes at "Concert on the Creek' in North Carolina on Nov. 13, 1999.Credit: Bei/Shutterstock
In November 1999, the Dawson's Creek cast gathered at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington for what was called the "Concert on the Creek."
07 of 09
Behind the scenes
Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes.Credit: Lisa Rose/Globe Photos/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Williams, Jackson, Van Der Beek and Holmes attended several press events together through the early 2000s — and maintained a strong bond years later.
"Everyone's grown up and is busy, but the bond will forever be there," Holmes told U.K. outlet The Times in June 2004.
08 of 09
Anti-prom
Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes in 'Dawson's Creek.'Credit: Fred Norris/PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
Season 3's "Anti-Prom" episode marked another turning point for Pacey and Joey as they share an intimate dance together, on a night in which Dawson was hoping for a romantic reunion of his own with the leading lady.
09 of 09
Honoring their friend
Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua JacksonCredit: Collection Christophel / Alamy Stock Photo
In February 2026, Holmes and Jackson's costar Van Der Beek died at 48 years old following a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Shortly after, Holmes shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute to Van Der Beek, writing, "I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved."
Jackson reflected on his former costar's death in his March 2026 Today appearance, saying that he has spent the past few weeks thinking about Van Der Beek's life and legacy "quite a bit."
"It was formative for us," he said of their shared Dawson's Creek experience. "And I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness. But I will also say is [that] I know that I’m just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
