How the 'Dawson’s Creek' Cast Looks Today – 35 Photos of the Actors Then and Now

James Van Der Beek's death has stunned "Dawson's Creek" fans. As one of the show's defining stars, his passing has turned attention back to where the cast is now.

The creek that launched a generation of teen dreams now carries a wave of heartbreak few saw coming. With Van Der Beek's passing at 48, attention has turned back to the ensemble that helped define late ’90s television.

In the years since Capeside High, their paths have diverged in remarkable ways — from award-season spotlights to deeply private chapters shaped by resilience, reinvention, and family.

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery

For six seasons, Van Der Beek portrayed earnest aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery, the emotional center of "Dawson's Creek" and one of the most recognizable faces of late '90s teen television.

On February 11, 2026, his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed his death in a heartbreaking Instagram statement:

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace."

She added that more would be shared in time about his final wishes and the compassion that defined him, but asked for privacy as the family mourns the loss of a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

In November 2024, Van Der Beek revealed he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. "I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said.

He and his wife were raising six children — Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah — who became the center of his world in recent years.

Before his current wife, Van Der Beek was previously married to actress Heather Ann McComb. The pair finalized their divorce in 2010 after nearly seven years of marriage.

From the wide-eyed dreamer of Capeside to a father of six facing illness with quiet resolve, Van Der Beek's journey extended far beyond the screen — but for millions of fans, he will always be Dawson.

Katie Holmes as Joey Potter

If Dawson was the dreamer, Joey Potter was the driven overachiever — and Katie Holmes carried that same ambition into her own life.

Like her Capeside High valedictorian character, Holmes continued prioritizing education after "Dawson's Creek."

She enrolled in Harvard University's entertainment, media, and sports program to strengthen her production company, Noelle Productions Inc.

Away from the spotlight, she has focused on raising Suri, her daughter with ex-husband Tom Cruise, while continuing to build a steady career in film and television.

Over the years, Holmes has portrayed Jackie Kennedy multiple times and stepped behind the camera to direct and co-write the 2023 film "Rare Objects," underscoring her evolution from teen star to established creative force.

Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter

Pacey Witter may have been Capeside's charming underdog, but Joshua Jackson built one of the most expansive careers of the original cast.

Following the 2003 finale of "Dawson's Creek," he moved steadily between film and television, appearing in "Shadows in the Sun" (2005), "Battle in Seattle" (2007), "Shutter" (2008), and "One Week" (2008) before returning to the small screen as Peter Bishop on "Fringe" in 2008.

He later became widely known for playing Cole Lockhart on "The Affair" from 2014 to 2019, further cementing his dramatic range. His résumé continued to grow with appearances in "When They See Us" and "Little Fires Everywhere."

In recent years, he has taken on high-profile roles in "The Affair," "Dr. Death," "Fatal Attraction," and "Doctor Odyssey," proving his staying power well beyond teen drama.

In early 2023, Jackson returned to Wilmington, North Carolina — where "Dawson's Creek" was filmed — to shoot a new series from Ava DuVernay, a full-circle moment for the actor.

He also appeared in "Karate Kid: Legends" in May 2025.

Off-screen, Jackson married actress Jodie Turner-Smith in 2019, though the pair split in 2023. Together, they share one child.

Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley

Michelle Williams, who played Jen Lindley, transformed her post-Capeside years into one of Hollywood's most respected careers.

She earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including a Best Actress nod in 2023 for "The Fabelmans."

Williams' extensive filmography includes "Brokeback Mountain," "Blue Valentine," "Shutter Island," "My Week With Marilyn," "Manchester by the Sea," "All the Money in the World," "After the Wedding," and "The Greatest Showman."

Away from the spotlight, she is a mother of four — daughter Matilda Rose, whom she shared with the late actor Heath Ledger, and three children with husband Thomas Kail.

Meredith Monroe as Andie McPhee

Meredith Monroe landed her breakout role as Andie McPhee on "Dawson's Creek," portraying the complex teen over multiple seasons.

After the series wrapped, she focused primarily on television throughout the 2000s, appearing in TV movies as well as episodes of "Joan of Arcadia," "CSI: Miami," "Fathers and Sons," "Bones," and "Crossing Jordan."

She later expanded her résumé with roles in "Psych," "Criminal Minds," and "Hart of Dixie," while also appearing in films such as "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011) and "The Edge of Seventeen."

In more recent years, she reached a new generation of viewers with her role on "13 Reasons Why."

She married Steven Kavovit in 1999, and the couple has at least two children.

Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee

As Jack McPhee, Kerr Smith helped break ground as one of teen television's first openly gay characters.

Following "Dawson's Creek," he appeared in several television series, including "Charmed," "CSI: NY," "Eli Stone," "Life Unexpected," "NCIS," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "The Fosters," "Riverdale," and "The Resident."

Looking back on his time filming, he once told People that one of his favorite memories from the TV show was the cast's 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 shared.

Mary-Margaret Humes as Gail Leery

Mary-Margaret Humes portrayed Dawson's mother, Gail Leery, throughout the series' run.

Afterward, she continued her television career with appearances in "Grey's Anatomy," "Criminal Minds," "Ghost Whisperer," and "The Rookie," as detailed by Entertainment Weekly.

When she learned about her co-star's death, Humes shared an emotional tribute on Instagram:

"Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. 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 also reflected on their final conversations just days before his death and asked fans to honor the family's request for privacy.

Seeing the cast today highlights the passage of time since those Capeside days. Through success, setbacks, and deeply personal loss, they've continued to grow — on screen and far beyond it.