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

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.

The 47-year-old has most recently been seen on reality TV. In 2019, he was a favorite to win "Dancing with the Stars," but sadly, he was eliminated after his wife had a miscarriage, and the judges thought it was best for him to be with his family. Since then, he appeared on an episode of the competition show "We Are Family" alongside his daughter and the game show "25 Words or Less."

Before that, he was 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 then starred in FX's groundbreaking series "Pose" and appeared in the 2020 horror film "Bad Hair."

Van Der Beek 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 had been "grabbed by older, powerful men" on Twitter (now X) in 2017.

In 2024, the actor said he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was forced to reveal the news earlier than intended since he was "informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news," according to an Instagram post.

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

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 more than a decade since Holmes and Cruise called it quits, the world is still fascinated by their relationship.

Although most people know Holmes' relationship with Cruise, she was previously engaged to "American Pie" actor Chris Klein.

The 45-year-old reprised her role as Jackie Kennedy in the 2017 miniseries "The Kennedys: After Camelot," after first appearing as Kennedy in 2011's "The Kennedys." In 2020, she starred in "Brahms: The Boy II" and "The Secret: Dare to Dream."

Holmes has also become a director. In 2016, she starred in, directed, and produced "All We Had," a drama based on Annie Weatherwax's book. In 2022 and 2023, she directed, wrote, and produced two more movies: "Alone Together" and "Rare Objects," respectively.

In 2024, she began starring in the Broadway revival of "Our Town" alongside Jim Parsons and Zoey Deutch. Next year, she's set to appear in an episode of the Peacock series "Poker Face."

In 2019, she ended her six-year relationship with Jamie Foxx, per Us Weekly.

And Suri, whose birth was national news, is 18 years old and graduated from high school in 2024 — she's almost her mother's age when "Dawson's Creek" premiered.

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.

After "Dawson's Creek" ended in 2003, Jackson, now 46, 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" and the Paramount+ remake of "Fatal Attraction."

In 2024, Jackson began starring in the ABC medical series "Doctor Odyssey" alongside Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson.

He split from longtime girlfriend Diane Kruger in 2016, per People. 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, but they divorced in 2023.

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 told series creator Kevin Williamson that she was "scared and nervous" about it, per a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly. 

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 costar, Heath Ledger, and they had a daughter, Matilda. The two dated for three years, breaking up shortly before he died in 2008.

Williams, now 44, has become a critically acclaimed actor, and perhaps the most serious actor after "Creek." She's received Oscar nominations for her roles in "My Week With Marilyn," "Manchester by the Sea," "Blue Valentine," "Brokeback Mountain," and most recently, "The Fabelmans."

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

Williams was chosen to be the narrator of Britney Spears' memoir, "Pieces of Me," in 2023. She went viral for her impression of Spears' ex, Justin Timberlake's attempts at a "blaccent."

Williams married musician Phil Elverum in 2018, but they divorced a year later, according to The Hollywood Reporter. At the beginning of 2020, Williams married "Fosse/Verdon" director Thomas Kail, and she gave birth to their child that June. In 2022, she gave birth to their second child together.

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 TV.

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

Smith, 52, is now best known for his recurring role on "The Fosters" as Callie's biological father, and his role as 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, who was 28 when she played 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. Instead these scenes are available on the show's DVDs.

Monroe, 54, 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."

Before his role as Mitch Leery, Shipp, who was 42 when the show premiered, was known for his role as the Flash on "The Flash " and for his 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, he told a fan blog in 2009.

Shipp, 69, rejoined "The Flash" universe with a new role: Barry Allen's father. Continuing his tradition of tragic deaths from "Dawson's Creek," his character Henry Allen was killed in 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. He recurred through the series' final season in 2023.

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.

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

Humes, 70, is on the record saying she would support a revival of the show, specifically a four-episode miniseries a la "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," she told Digital Spy in 2017.

Grams starts the series closed-minded and unwilling to try to 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.

Since the show's end in 2003, Peil, 84, has kept busy. She reunited with costar Joshua Jackson on a 2009 episode of "Fringe" and appeared in the 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."

In 2024, she was at the premiere of "Our Town" to support her "Dawson" costar Katie Holmes.

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

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 the comedy blockbuster "White Chicks," a raunchy departure from her time on the show. 

Philipps, 45, and Williams are the definition of friendship goals. They go to awards shows together, post selfies together, and talk about each other in the most adorable way. In a 2013 interview in The Advocate, Philipps said of Williams, "I love her as deeply as I love almost anyone."

Philipps also starred in "Cougar Town" and appeared on an episode of "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" with her former costar 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."

Since 2021, she's been starring in the comedy series "Girls5eva." She also played Mrs. George in the 2024 musical remake of "Mean Girls."

Philipps is married to screenwriter Marc Silverstein, though they separated in 2021. They have two daughters.

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 in 12 episodes. His character, Charlie Todd, dated both Joey and Jen in season five.

After leaving "One Tree Hill" at the end of its sixth season, Murray, now 43, appeared in multiple TV movies. He also had a small part in 2013's critically acclaimed "Fruitvale Station."

In 2017, 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, playing the charismatic cult leader Edgar Evernever during season three.

More recently, Murray starred in the 2024 Netflix rom-com "Mother of the Bride," and has had a main role in The CW series "Sullivan's Crossing" since 2021. Next year, he'll reprise his role as Jake in the "Freaky Friday" sequel, "Freakier Friday," alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.

Murray was previously married to "One Tree Hill" costar Sophia Bush. Now, he's married to Sarah Roemer, and they have three kids.

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 on-screen death, she appeared in a couple of TV movies.

Keena, 45, 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 crash. She appeared on the show's second and third seasons.

Her most recent role was in the 2020 short film "Klaus Eats Butterflies."

Repeta's character, Bessie, was Joey's legal guardian (after their dad was arrested for trafficking cocaine and their mother died of cancer). Repeta, who is 11 years older than her on-screen sister Holmes, was 30 when the show premiered.

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

In addition to acting, Repeta, 57, 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.

Her son, Banks, is now an actor. He starred in the films "Armageddon Time" and "The Black Phone," and appeared in eight episodes of the sitcom "Welcome to Flatch."

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.

That's why it was a, shall we say, interesting choice to reveal on the finale that Doug actually was gay, and in a committed relationship with Jack.

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

Neal, 55, appeared in the final "Fifty Shades of Grey" film, reprising his role as Bob Adams, Anastasia's stepfather.

He also stars in the Hallmark movie series "Gourmet Detective" as Henry Ross, the gourmet detective himself. Neal additionally regularly stars in Hallmark movies, and starred in the Hallmark Channel series "Cedar Cove" from 2013 to 2015.