WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The cast of 'Dawson's Creek' 22 years later

When "Dawson's Creek" premiered on the WB in 1998, it quickly became one of the most-talked-about TV shows of the year, and later became one of the WB's most successful shows during its six-season run. Now that it's on Netflix, the kids of Capeside are sure to captivate another generation of teens.

The show, which was added to the streaming service on November 1, turned James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson into household names, and the Dawson-Pacey-Joey love triangle is still inspiring debates to this day.

Keep reading to find out what your favorite residents of Capeside are up to now.

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James Van Der Beek was the titular character of "Dawson's Creek," Dawson Leery.

Let's face it: Dawson Leery was kind of a jerk. But without him, there would be no "Dawson's Creek." 

During his time on the show, James Van Der Beek, who was 20 years old when the show began, shot to stardom. He used his exposure to score starring roles in "Varsity Blues" and "Rules of Attraction."

His crying face will also live forever on the internet.

In the years since, he's had a steady career, with roles on "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" and "Pose."

The 43-year-old is focusing more on comedy now. His role on "Don't Trust The B---- in Apt. 23" as a fictionalized version of himself solidified his comedic talent. He also starred in Viceland's mockumentary series "What Would Diplo Do?" as a fictionalized version of EDM DJ/producer Diplo. He even created an entire Twitter dedicated to his version of "Diplo."

Now, Van Der Beek can be seen on FX's groundbreaking series "Pose," and he appeared in the 2020 horror film "Bad Hair." In 2019, Van Der Beek was a favorite to win "Dancing with the Stars," but sadly was eliminated after his wife had a miscarriage, and the judges thought it was best for him to be with his family.

He also added his voice to the movement against sexual assault in Hollywood, showing his support for all of the actresses speaking up and admitting that he has "had my a-- grabbed by older, powerful men" on Twitter.

Van Der Beek has been married to Kimberly Brook since 2010, and they have five children.

Katie Holmes stole both the audience and characters' hearts in her role as Joey Potter.

Who Joey should have ended up with is still a sensitive subject for a lot of "Dawson's Creek" fans.

Holmes, only 19 when the show premiered, became very famous very quickly — her marriage and divorce to Tom Cruise, and their daughter Suri, were the subject of every tabloid cover for years. Though it's been eight years since Holmes and Cruise called it quits, the world is still fascinated by their relationship.

Even though most people know Holmes' relationship with Cruise, before that she was engaged to "American Pie" actor Chris Klein.

Today, Holmes is still acting. She has also directed.

The 41-year-old reprised her role as Jackie Kennedy on 2017's miniseries "The Kennedys: After Camelot," after first appearing as Kennedy on 2011's "The Kennedys." This year, she starred in "Brahms: The Boy II" and "The Secret: Dare to Dream."

In 2016, she starred in, directed, and produced "All We Had," a drama based on the book by Annie Weatherwax.

In 2019, she ended her six-year relationship with Jamie Foxx. Holmes is now dating Emilio Vitolo, Jr., a chef.

Joshua Jackson's performance as Pacey Witter turned him into a heartthrob.

Pacey Witter has been creating unrealistic expectations for boyfriends around the world since he first appeared on our screens. Jackson, 19 at the time of shooting the first season, turned Pacey into a viable romantic option for Joey, even though Dawson and Joey seemed destined for each other.

Before "Dawson's Creek," Jackson was already known for his role in the "Mighty Ducks" movie franchise.

Jackson is still turning out great performances, such as his role on the Hulu miniseries "Little Fires Everywhere."

After "Dawson's Creek" ended in 2003, Jackson, now 42, went on to star in another cult-favorite show, "Fringe."

Now, his roles on hit shows like "The Affair" and "Little Fires Everywhere" are again proving why Jackson is so popular — he's incredibly charming. He also appeared in the Netflix miniseries "When They See Us."

He split from longtime girlfriend Diane Kruger in 2016. In 2018, he began dating "Queen and Slim" star Jodie Turner-Smith. They tied the knot in 2019, and welcomed their first child in April 2020.

Michelle Williams played an outsider to Capeside named Jen Lindley.

Williams, only 17 when the show premiered, played NYC transplant Jen. Her death at the end of the series was one of the most controversial decisions in the show's history. In fact, Williams herself was upset about it. If you ever need proof that Michelle Williams was the best actor on the show, look no further than the video she recorded for her daughter.

In 2005, Williams received critical acclaim for her role in "Brokeback Mountain" and was nominated for an Oscar. She also began a relationship with her co-star Heath Ledger and they had a daughter, Matilda. The two dated for three years, breaking up shortly before his untimely death.

Williams won a Golden Globe for her role in "Fosse/Verdon," and she has received four Oscar nominations.

Williams, now 40, has become a critically acclaimed actress — and perhaps the most serious actress after "Creek." She's received Oscar nominations for her roles in "My Week With Marilyn," "Manchester by the Sea," "Blue Valentine," and "Brokeback Mountain."

In 2020, Williams won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her performance as Gwen Verdon in "Fosse/Verdon."

Williams married musician Phil Elverum in 2018, but they divorced a year later. In the beginning of 2020, Williams married "Fosse/Verdon" director Thomas Kail, and she gave birth to their child in June.

Kerr Smith's role of Jack McPhee was groundbreaking — his character participated in the first male-on-male kiss on network TV.

Smith was 25 when the show premiered, making him one of the older cast members. But you would never know it from his extremely convincing portrayal of teenage angst as closeted high schooler Jack. Jack's kiss with his boyfriend Ethan changed the game.

He was also known for his role in the horror film "Final Destination" in 2000.

Smith has had multiple recurring roles on shows like "The Fosters" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.LD."

Smith, 48, is now best known for his recurring role on "The Fosters" as Callie's biological father, and his role as the current principal, Principal Honey, on "Riverdale."

Smith also continued to appear in slasher films — he had a role in the 2009 remake of "My Bloody Valentine."

Meredith Monroe's performance is what made fans OK with Andie McPhee and Pacey being together — and keeping Pacey and Joey apart.

Meredith Monroe, who was 28 while she was playing a 16-year-old, was on the show for four seasons, but she certainly made an impression. Andie had some difficult storylines, including the death of her brother and mental illness.

Her character did make an appearance during the series finale, but it was unfortunately deleted — these scenes are available on the DVDs.

Monroe went on to have recurring roles on "Criminal Minds" and "Hart of Dixie."

Monroe, 50, is also known for her role on "Criminal Minds" as Haley Hotchner — her character was killed off in the series' 100th episode.

Her most recent credits include a guest spot on "Castle" in 2015, a recurring role on "Hart of Dixie" from 2011 to 2015, and a small role in 2016's "The Edge of Seventeen." She also played Alex's mother in "13 Reasons Why."

John Wesley Shipp was one half of Capeside's best power couple as Dawson's father, Mitch Leery.

Before his role as Mitch Leery, Shipp, 42 when the show premiered, was known for his role as the Flash on "The Flash," as well as roles on daytime soaps such as "As the World Turns" and "One Life to Live."

Shipp appeared on 83 episodes of "Dawson's Creek" before he asked to be written off the show, and his character was tragically killed in a car accident.

Shipp is still playing dad to iconic characters, including Barry Allen's father, Henry Allen, on "The Flash."

Shipp, 65, rejoined "The Flash" universe with a new role — Barry Allen's father. Continuing his tradition of tragic deaths, his character Henry Allen was killed on season two. However, he was able to stay on the show as a different iteration of the Flash, Jay Garrick, through season four — then he was again re-cast as a parallel universe's version of Barry, through season six.

Mary-Margaret Humes played Dawson's mother, Gail Leery.

Humes, 43 during the first season, was the third runner-up to Miss USA in 1975. She had roles on iconic TV shows throughout the '80 and '90s, and guest-starred on famous shows like "Dukes of Hazzard," "Knight Rider," and "Matlock." But she will always be best known as Dawson's mom, Gail.

Humes is keeping busy. She's been credited with almost 20 roles since "Creek" ended.

The show ended on a positive note for Gail. After the death of her husband in season four, she remarried on the series finale.

Humes, 66, is on the record saying that she would support a revival of the show, specifically a four-episode miniseries a la "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life."

Mary Beth Peil played the always-quotable grandmother to Jen, affectionately known as Grams.

Grams started the series as closed-minded and unwilling to try and understand her granddaughter. Throughout the series, she becomes more open-minded and understanding of those around her.

Grams was so important that Peil, 57 at the start of the show, was the only "adult" cast member who was credited as a series regular throughout the show's six seasons.

Peil gravitated towards theater after the show ended, with parts in "Follies" and "Anastasia."

Since the show's end in 2003, Peil, 80, has kept busy. She reunited with co-star Joshua Jackson on a 2009 episode of "Fringe," as well as appearing in scary movie "Mirrors" in 2008.

Peil also had a part in a 2018 romance film "Best Day of My Life," starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Simon Baker. She returned to The CW (formerly the WB) for a recurring role on "Katy Keene."

Before her role as Audrey, Busy Philipps was known for "Freaks and Geeks."

Philipps joined the cast in season five as Audrey Liddell, Joey's roommate at college and love interest to Pacey. 

Philipps, 22 when she joined the cast, had also appeared in another cult classic show: "Freaks and Geeks." Right after "Dawson's Creek" ended, she filmed comedy blockbuster "White Chicks," a raunchy departure from her time on the show. 

Philipps is famous for her amazing Instagram stories and her friendship with Michelle Williams.

Philipps, 41, and Williams are the definition of #friendshipgoals. They go to awards shows together, post selfies together, and talk about each other in the most adorable way. Philipps said of Williams in an interview in The Advocate, "I love her as deeply as I love almost anyone."

Philipps also had a starring role on "Cougar Town" and appeared on an episode of "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" with her former co-star James Van Der Beek.

From October 2018 to May 2019, Philipps hosted her own talk show on E!, "Busy Tonight." Now, she hosts a podcast called "Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best."

Philipps is married to screenwriter Marc Silverstein. They have two daughters.

Chad Michael Murray left his role on "Gilmore Girls" to join "Dawson's Creek."

Chad Michael Murray appeared on three of the most iconic TV shows of the early 2000s: "Gilmore Girls," "One Tree Hill," and "Dawson's Creek." He also appeared in two classic films from the era as well: "Freaky Friday" and "A Cinderella Story."

His role on "Dawson's Creek" might be his least well-known — he only appeared on 12 episodes. His character, Charlie Todd, dated both Joey and Jen on season five.

Chad Michael Murray was one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 2000s, but he has since become an author.

After leaving "One Tree Hill" at the end of its sixth season, Murray, 39, appeared in multiple TV movies. He also had a small part in 2013's critically acclaimed "Fruitvale Station."

Recently, he wrote a book called "American Drifter: A Thriller" with Heather Graham. He also starred in the canceled Marvel prequel "Agent Carter." He is yet another "Dawson's Creek" alum to join the "Riverdale" universe — he played the charismatic cult leader Edgar Evernever during season three.

Murray was previously married to "One Tree Hill" co-star Sophia Bush. Now, he's married to actress Sarah Roemer, and they have two kids.

While Abby's time on the show was short, Monica Keena definitely made an impression.

Keena was 19 when "Dawson's Creek" began. She played Jen's frenemy Abby, who appeared on 14 episodes across the first two seasons, until she was unexpectedly killed off.

Right after her death, she appeared in a couple of TV movies.

Keena hasn't had any acting roles since 2015, though she is set to appear in films, according to IMDb.

Keena, 41, is another "Dawson's Creek" alum who has a career in horror films. She appeared in 2003's "Freddy vs Jason" and 2009's "Night of the Demons."

But she's probably best known as Bonnie, a particularly heart-breaking patient on "Grey's Anatomy" who was impaled on a pole during a train accident. She appeared on the show's second and third seasons.

Nina Repeta played Joey's older sister, Bessie.

Repeta's character Bessie was Joey's legal guardian (after their dad was arrested for trafficking cocaine and their mother died of cancer). Thirty years old when the show premiered, Repeta was 11 years older than Holmes.

Before her role on "Dawson's Creek," she had a small part in "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and multiple roles on "Matlock."

Repeta is now more focused on her music career.

In addition to acting, Repeta, 53, is a talented singer. Her last album was released in 2014, and she performed at the 2015 Pleasure Island Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival.

She also appeared on an episode of "The Originals" in 2015.

Pacey's older brother, Doug, was played by Dylan Neal.

Pacey's brother Doug wasn't exactly the nicest guy — he was mean to Pacey constantly — but he was also the subject of his younger brother's homophobic remarks.

Which is why it was an extremely interesting choice to reveal on the finale that Doug actually was gay, and in a committed relationship with Jack. Though, without Doug, we never would have seen the cuteness that was Jack, Doug, and Jen's daughter Amy.

Before the show, Neal, who was 27 at time of the "Dawson's Creek" premiere, had a role on "The Bold and the Beautiful" for two years.

He looks the same 20 years later.

Neal, 51, can be seen in the final "Fifty Shades Freed," where he reprised his role of Bob Adams, Anastasia's stepfather.

He also stars in the Hallmark movie series "Gourmet Detective" as Henry Ross, the gourmet detective himself.

If you're feeling nostalgic, every episode of "Dawson's Creek" is officially streaming on Netflix as of November 1.

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