Where Is the “Dawson's Creek” Cast Now? Here's What Happened to the Stars After the Teen Drama Ended
- - Where Is the “Dawson's Creek” Cast Now? Here's What Happened to the Stars After the Teen Drama Ended
Benjamin VanHoose, Nicole PomaricoFebruary 13, 2026 at 4:10 AM
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The cast of 'Dawson's Creek' in 1997
Warner Bros./Getty
'Dawson's Creek' ended over 20 years ago on March 13, 2003
The show starred an ensemble cast including James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson
Van Der Beek died in February 2026 after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023
More than two decades after Dawson's Creek came to an end, the cast is saying goodbye to James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek died in February 2026, nearly three years after he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
The popular WB teen drama aired its season finale on May 13, 2003, concluding the journeys of a core group of friends as they experienced the ups and downs of friendship and romance in high school and college. Dawson's Creek was also known for covering heavy issues like mental health, death and homophobia among typical teenage fare like prom dates, new friends and first loves.
Van Der Beek led the ensemble cast as Dawson Leery, a wannabe filmmaker who has his heart set on his own happily ever after with one of his best friends, Joey Potter (Katie Holmes). Dawson's other best friend, Pacey Whitter (Joshua Jackson), and Capeside newbie Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) put a wrinkle in Dawson's carefully plotted-out future.
Following Van Der Beek's death, Holmes shared a handwritten tribute to her former costar on Instagram, writing, "James, thank you. To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression."
Here's everything to know about where the Dawson's Creek cast is now.
01 of 11
James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery
James Van Der Beek on 'Dawson's Creek' in 1998 and now Warner Bros Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock, Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Van Der Beek, who played the titular role of Dawson Leery, filled most of his time with TV pursuits, including ABC's comedy Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23, on which he played a version of himself — and scored a Teen Choice Award nomination, hearkening back to his Dawson's days.
As an adult, the Pose actor lived in Texas with his wife Kimberly and their six kids: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah. In November 2024, he announced that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer the year prior.
Van Der Beek's costar Jackson said on The Jennifer Hudson Show in April 2025 that his friend's diagnosis "brought the whole gang back together."
On Feb. 11, 2026, Van Der Beek died three years after his cancer diagnosis, his wife shared in a post on Instagram.
"He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," she wrote. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
02 of 11
Katie Holmes as Joey Potter
Katie Holmes on 'Dawson's Creek' in 1998 and now Frank Ockenfels/Warner Bros/REX/Shutterstock; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for AHA
Fittingly for the woman who portrayed Capeside High valedictorian Joey Potter, Holmes went back to school for a time after Dawson's Creek, even attending the entertainment, media and sports program at Harvard University to further her skills for her production company, Noelle Productions Inc.
Aside from raising Suri (her daughter with ex-husband Tom Cruise), Holmes has devoted much of her time to film and TV, including multiple stints portraying Jackie Kennedy and directing and co-writing the 2023 film Rare Objects.
Holmes has harbored fond Dawson's memories, previously saying it was a "special show, and I loved every minute of it."
03 of 11
Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter
Joshua Jackson on 'Dawson's Creek' in 1998 and now Getty Images; Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Showtime
Since Dawson's Creek, Jackson has starred in projects like Fatal Attraction and Doctor Odyssey.
In early 2023, he returned to Wilmington, N.C. — where Dawson's Creek was filmed — to shoot a new series from Ava DuVernay. He also appeared in Karate Kid: Legends in May 2025.
Jackson, who played Pacey Witter in the series, wed Jodie Turner-Smith in 2019, though the pair split in 2023. Together, they have one child.
04 of 11
Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley
Michelle Williams on 'Dawson's Creek' in 1998 and now Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Once Capeside's resident occasional bad girl, Williams has "made good" with a serious career on the big screen, earning several Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nod in 2023 for Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans.
Williams is mom to daughter Matilda Rose with late actor Heath Ledger, as well as three children with husband Thomas Kail.
05 of 11
Meredith Monroe as Andie McPhee
DAWSON'S CREEK, Meredith Monroe, Season 2, 1998-2003. Meredith Monroe attends the WE ALL PLAY FUNdraiser hosted by the Zimmer Children's Museum at the Zimmer Children's Museum on April 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Columbia TriStar Television/courtesy Everett Collection; David Livingston/Getty
Since her days playing high-strung Andie McPhee, Meredith Monroe has built her TV-acting résumé with recurring roles on Criminal Minds, Hart of Dixie and 13 Reasons Why, and guest spots on a crop of other popular series.
During a cast reunion interview, she told Entertainment Weekly in March 2018 that shooting the series in Wilmington "was like growing up together."
"I felt like I was so grateful that it was shooting in Wilmington," she continued. "We all got to really connect in a way that I don't think we would have had we been in New York or L.A."
Monroe married Steven Kavovit in 1999, and the pair have at least two kids.
06 of 11
Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee
Kerr Smith on 'Dawson's Creek' in 2000 and now Getty Images; Tiffany Rose/WireImage
After playing Jack McPhee, Andie's older brother who comes to terms with his homosexuality throughout the series, Kerr Smith landed roles on The Fosters, Life Unexpected, Charmed and Riverdale.
Smith's favorite memory from Dawson's comes from the actors' group trips to the beach.
"In the summer, we as a cast would go to Masonboro Island [North Carolina]. We'd get out the grill and go Jet Skiing and swimming. It was the most fun I ever had in my life," he previously told PEOPLE.
Off-screen, Smith was married to actress Harmoni Everett from 2003 to 2009.
07 of 11
Busy Philipps as Audrey Liddell
DAWSON'S CREEK, (Season 5), Busy Philipps, 1998-2003. Actress Busy Philipps attends the Uplift Family Services at Hollygrove Gala at W Hollywood on May 18, 2017 in Hollywood, California
Courtesy Everett Collection; Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic
Busy Philipps, who played Joey Potter's college roommate, has stayed booked and busy on series like Cougar Town and Girls5eva. She also played Regina George's mom in the 2024 musical remake of Mean Girls.
Off-screen, she has remained close to Williams. The pair have frequented red carpets together and reunited for girls' hangouts.
The actress has two children, Cricket and Birdie, with ex-husband Marc Silverstein.
Philipps was among those to post a tribute to Van Der Beek on Instagram after his death, sharing throwback photos of the two in their younger years.
08 of 11
John Wesley Shipp as Mitch Leery
DAWSON'S CREEK, John Wesley Shipp, 1998-2003. John Wesley Shipp attends 2016 Chiller Theatre Expo Day 1 at Parsippany Hilton on October 28, 2016 in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Columbia TriStar Television/courtesy Everett Collection; Bobby Bank/WireImage
John Wesley Shipp played Mitch Leery on Dawson's Creek.
During the cast's 2018 reunion, he recalled how the series' dialogue was groundbreaking for the times. "I remember a big star who shall remain nameless said to Kevin [Williamson, the show's creator], 'Young people don't talk like that,' " Shipp told Entertainment Weekly. "Kevin said, 'Well, maybe not, but they'd like to.' We had a feeling that we were pioneering a different way of telling stories about young people."
The actor, who was known for playing The Flash in the '90s, came back to the story for The CW series by the same name from 2014 to 2023.
09 of 11
Mary-Margaret Humes as Gail Leery
DAWSON'S CREEK, Mary-Margaret Humes, 1998. Mary-Margaret Humes attends the "Dancing For NED" benefit for the Cedars Sinai Women's Cancer Program on May 4, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Courtesy Everett Collection; Araya Diaz/Getty
Following her days playing Dawson's anchorwoman mom, Mary-Margaret Humes has acted in several Hallmark and Lifetime TV movies.
She told Entertainment Weekly she happened to be with Van Der Beek the first time he was ever asked for an autograph after Dawson's Creek premiered.
"He signed it and said, 'Oh my God, Mary-Margaret, that was my first!' And, of course, my thought was, 'Oh, honey, hang on,' " she said.
Off-screen, Humes married Raul A. Bruce in 1992.
After Van Der Beek died in February 2026, Humes shared a message to him on Instagram, referencing their final conversations.
"James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that," she wrote. "Our last conversations ... merely a few days ago ... are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping."
10 of 11
Nina Repeta as Bessie Potter
DAWSON'S CREEK, Nina Repeta, (2000). Nina Repeta 'Armageddon Time' premiere, 60th New York Film Festival, New York, USA - 12 Oct 2022
Columbia TriStar Television/courtesy Everett Collection; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Since playing big sis to Holmes' Joey, Nina Repeta has continued to act in various films and has sparked a music career, singing everything from the blues to jazz. She is also involved in music therapy, singing jazz in local memory care units.
Repeta's son Banks Repeta, whom she shares with husband Mike Repeta, has also followed in her footsteps by forging his own acting career. He has earned roles in 2021's The Black Phone and 2022's Armageddon Time, the latter of which earned him a Critics' Choice Awards nomination in 2023.
11 of 11
Mary Beth Peil as Evelyn "Grams" Ryan
DAWSON'S CREEK, (Season 5), Mary Beth Peil, 1998-2003. Mary Beth Peil attends the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.
Courtesy Everett Collection; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty I
Jen's "Grams" has worked steadily in post-Dawson's years: Mary Beth Peil had recurring roles on The Good Wife and Katy Keene and many turns on Broadway, including the Dowager Empress in Anastasia.
When Williams was honored at the 2022 Gotham Awards, she used her time to thank Peil for influencing her and taking her under her wing.
"Mary Beth Peil was the first artist that I had ever met in my life. She didn't call herself that, but there was something different about her," Williams said. "It was the way she asked questions, the way that she leaned into conversations, and how excited she seemed for every moment of every day on our TV set. And I didn't know what this ineffable quality was, but I knew I wanted to pull my chair closer to hers."
In her personal life, Peil was married to Jerry Kirkbride, with whom she raised two children. The pair divorced in 1993, per The New York Times.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
