Dawson's Creek is the beloved American teen drama that originally aired from 1998 to 2003. Set in the small coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts, the show follows the lives of a group of high school friends as they navigate the challenges of adolescence, relationships, and self-discovery.

At the centre of the series is Dawson Leery, played by James Van Der Beek, a dreamer with a passion for filmmaking. Dawson's best friend, Joey Potter, portrayed by Katie Holmes, is a strong-willed and independent woman who harbours a long-standing crush on Dawson. Pacey Witter, played by Joshua Jackson, is the charming and mischievous best friend of Dawson, known for his wit and knack for finding himself in complicated situations. Michelle Williams takes on the role of Jen Lindley, a newcomer to Capeside with a troubled past, who brings a sense of mystery and emotional depth to the group.

Dawson's Creek became popular with audiences for its relatable and authentic portrayal of teenage life. The characters are multidimensional and complex, each facing their own personal struggles and growth throughout the series. Viewers were drawn to the show's ability to tackle a wide range of themes, including love, friendship, family dynamics, identity, and the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

Dawson's Creek is also remembered for its groundbreaking approach to storytelling. The series fearlessly addressed topics such as sexuality, mental health, and social issues, breaking down barriers and paving the way for more inclusive and realistic representation in television. 

Our Dawson’s Creek facts include what audiences thought of the show’s explicit language, why there were props from the film Scream on set and how the show made waves with a $3Million marketing budget.

1. It Is Set In Massachusetts But Filmed In Wilmington, North Carolina

Dawson's Creek revolves around a tight-knit group of friends in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. The show follows their lives from high school through college and originally aired from January 20, 1998, to May 14, 2003. 

Created by Kevin Williamson, Dawson's Creek premiered on The WB network on January 20, 1998. The series, produced by Columbia TriStar Television (later renamed Sony Pictures Television), was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. It concluded on May 14, 2003, after a total of 128 episodes were produced.

Both Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill (2003) were filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.

2. It Was One Of The WB’s Flagship Series

Alongside shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 7th Heaven, Dawson's Creek became one of The WB's flagship series, propelling its main cast members to international fame. 

In 2007, Entertainment Weekly recognized the show's cultural impact by including it at No. 90 on their "New TV Classics" list. 

Additionally, the series is credited with initiating a wave of teen-focused shows in the late 1990s that carried into the 2000s.

3. Dawson’s Creek Wouldn’t Have Been Made Without Scream

After successfully selling his spec script for the film Scream (1996), Kevin Williamson, a film assistant, found himself in meetings with various film and television producers. During one of these meetings, he met executive Paul Stupin, who inquired about Williamson's ideas for a television production. 

4. Williamson Wrote A 20 Page Outline For Dawson’s Creek In One Night

Inspired by his own experiences growing up near a creek in North Carolina and his passion for filmmaking and Steven Spielberg, Williamson conceived the idea of a teen series. Intrigued by the concept, Paul Stupin invited Williamson to pitch the idea to Columbia TriStar Television studios the following day. That night, Williamson hastily wrote a 20-page outline for what would become Dawson's Creek.

5. Williamson Was Inspired By My So-Called Life, 90210 And Little House On The Prairie

Kevin Williamson described the show would work as a blend of films like Some Kind of Wonderful, Pump Up the Volume, James at 15, My So-Called Life, and the classic series Little House on the Prairie. 

He also aimed to capture the spirit of popular teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 to resonate with the contemporary teenage audience. 

6. Columbia Wanted Dawson’s Creek To Be Set In Boston

Columbia requested that the show be set in Boston, Massachusetts, but Williamson ultimately decided on the fictional town of Capeside. He then presented the idea to Fox, but despite their initial support for his scripts, they had concerns about launching another teen drama, particularly while struggling with their existing show, Party of Five.

After Fox rejected the series, Kevin Williamson adopted a dog and named him Dawson, thinking it would be his only memory of the script.

7. Buffy The Vampire Slayer Was The Reason The WB Greenlit Dawson’s Creek

Columbia TriStar sent Williamson's scripts to The WB network, which was seeking fresh ideas for their programming after the success of the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Williamson met with Garth Ancier, the chief programmer at the time, and Susanne Daniels, the entertainment president, who were both enamoured with his script. They picked up Dawson's Creek, slotting it into the network's new Tuesday night lineup. 

8. Procter & Gamble Productions Sold Their Stake In Dawson’s Creek

Procter & Gamble Productions joined as a co-producer of the series. However, they eventually sold their interest in the show three months before its premiere due to concerns over the explicit dialogue and provocative plotlines that were making headlines.

9. Dawson’s Creek Launched The Career Of Its Lead Actors

Dawson's Creek played a pivotal role in launching the acting careers of its young lead stars, namely James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson, each with varying levels of prior acting experience. 

10. Joshua Jackson Originally Auditioned For Dawson Leery

Joshua Jackson, known for his role in The Mighty Ducks series as a young and aspiring hockey player, was considered for the main role of Dawson Leery. However, creator Kevin Williamson, while pleased with Jackson's audition and versatile acting abilities, felt that his good looks didn't align with the underdog, nerd, and video geek character he envisioned for Dawson. As a result, Jackson was cast as Dawson's best friend, Pacey Witter, instead.

Other actors like Charlie Hunnam, Adrian Grenier, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Scott Speedman also auditioned for the role of Dawson, while Adam Brody read for Pacey.

11. James Van Der Beek Was Chosen Because Of His Nervousness

James Van Der Beek's audition video, sent in by the casting director, caught the attention of the team, leading to an invitation for him to audition in Los Angeles. With a background in off-Broadway performances, Van Der Beek impressed Williamson with his cerebral and introspective quality, displaying a nervousness and insecurity that embodied the character of Dawson. 

12. Selma Blair Was Nearly Chosen For Joey Potter

When it came to casting the role of Joey Potter, Dawson's best female friend, the team initially considered actress Selma Blair, who had auditioned with toughness and heart. 

However, an audition tape from Katie Holmes caught their attention. Holmes had filmed herself in her basement, delivering Dawson's lines with a genuine and lonely demeanour. 

Although a scheduling conflict initially prevented her from coming to California for an in-person audition, Holmes eventually secured the role upon her arrival in Los Angeles two weeks later. 

According to Williamson, Holmes possessed the perfect look for Joey, with her eyes reflecting a sense of deep loneliness.

13. Katherine Heigl Auditioned For Jen Lindley

Michelle Williams, who had previous acting experience in projects like Lassie, Species, and guest appearances on sitcoms, impressed Kevin Williamson with a heartfelt audition scene in which her character, Jen Lindley, confronts her grandfather's illness. 

Katherine Heigl also auditioned for the role of Jen, as she had a previous working relationship with director Steve Miner, who helmed the pilot episode and had directed Heigl in the film My Father the Hero (1994).

14. The Whole First Season Was Filmed Prior To Airing The First Episode

The entire first season of Dawson’s Creek (all thirteen episodes) were filmed prior to the airing of the show's first episode. 

15. Kevin Williamson Left Dawson’s Creek To Focus On Wasteland

Following the conclusion of the second season of Dawson’s Creek, creator Kevin Williamson departed from the series to focus on a new show called Wasteland for ABC. However, he later returned to pen the two-hour series finale. 

16. Production Of Dawson’s Creek Shutdown After Alex Gansa Joined

With Williamson's departure on Dawson’s Creek, Alex Gansa took over as the showrunner. However, a production shutdown and discontent among the actors regarding the storylines in the early stages of the third season led to Gansa being replaced by Greg Berlanti, who had been a part of the writing staff before Williamson's exit. 

17. Dawson’s Creek Had A Pretty Impressive Writers Room

Several members of the Dawson’s Creek writing staff, including Gina Fattore (Gilmore Girls), Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City), Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), Tom Kapinos (Californication), and Dana Baratta (Jessica Jones), went on to create or write for other highly regarded television shows.

18. Dawson’s Creek Was Also Filmed In Southport And Wrightsville Beach

For the first four seasons, Dawson's Creek primarily filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, utilising the EUE/Screen Gems studios and various locations around the city. Southport and Wrightsville Beach also served as substitutes for the fictional town of Capeside, located in mid-Cape Cod. 

19. Dawson’s Creek Increased Tourism In Wilmington

The presence of the show greatly benefited the Wilmington area. While the studios had previously hosted films, commercials, and music videos, Dawson's Creek was the first production to extensively utilise multiple soundstages for an extended period. Other shows, like One Tree Hill, later occupied these same sound stages and utilised similar locations in Wilmington. 

The show's impact extended beyond the film industry, attracting attention to the city as a filming destination and boosting tourism. The local visitors' bureau even provided a special guide highlighting the filming locations featured in the show.

20. Homes In New Hanover County Were Used For The Main Character’s Home

Private residences situated along the shores of Hewletts Creek in New Hanover County stood in for the Leery, Lindley, and Potter homes. 

21. The Icehouse Restaurant Was Removed From The Show Due To Real Life Changes

The interiors of the Potter family's Icehouse restaurant were filmed at The Icehouse bar in downtown Wilmington, while exteriors were shot at the Dockside Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Changes in the real Icehouse's surroundings later necessitated its removal from the storyline, symbolised by burning it down. 

Some scenic shots and scenes from the opening credits were captured in Martha's Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast, as well as Masonboro. Notable exterior shots included Alderman Hall on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus, which served as Capeside High School.

22. Duke University Was Used As Worthington University

As the Dawson’s Creek characters progressed to college in the fifth and sixth seasons, the university's architectural uniformity made it challenging to portray different campuses within the show. Consequently, scenes set at the fictional Worthington University in Boston were filmed at Duke University and various locations around Franklin Street at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In later seasons, filming expanded to include locations in Durham and Raleigh.

23. Dawson’s Creek Purchased The Site Of The College Bar In Wilmington

The Hell's Kitchen bar featured in the show was originally a natural food store located at 118 Princess Street in Wilmington. The producers acquired the property, transformed it into a gritty college bar for the final season, and upon the show's completion, a local restaurateur purchased the building. It was converted into an actual restaurant and bar that retained the same name, incorporating many of the original set and decorations.

24. The WB Gave Dawson’s Creek A $3Million Marketing Budget

The WB allocated an estimated $3 million for the marketing of Dawson's Creek several months before its series premiere on January 20, 1998. A preview clip of the show was also circulated to television critics and media outlets in the summer of 1997, creating buzz around its daring content, which featured frank discussions about sexuality among teenagers and a romantic storyline involving a teacher and a high school student.

The WB's marketing campaign was so extensive that Newsweek commented that Dawson's Creek was "as much a marketing event as a small-town serial about overheated hormones."

25. The WB Was The First Network To Use Movie Theatre Trailers

The promotional efforts for Dawson’s Creek included billboards and trailers shown in theatres before movies like Titanic, making The WB the first TV network to utilise movie theatre trailers.

26. J.Crew Was Dawson’s Creek Wardrobe Provider

J.Crew, Dawson’s Creek wardrobe provider, showcased the relatively unknown cast in its winter-spring catalogue. 

27. The Dawson’s Creek Theme Song Was Originally Alanis Morissette

In January 1998, promotional materials featuring the song "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole were displayed in Blockbuster video stores. This ended up becoming the theme song for Dawson’s Creek.

The show initially featured Alanis Morissette's song "Hand in My Pocket" as the theme song in the unaired pilot episode. However, when Dawson's Creek was picked up, Morissette decided not to have it used as the theme.

28. Dawson’s Creek Was Pioneering With It’s Own Fan Website

During Dawson’s Creek airing, the producers were pioneers in engaging fans through cross-platform interaction, primarily through the show's official website known as Dawson's Desktop. 

On this website, users could explore Dawson's multimedia journal and homework files, browse his bookmarked websites, and listen to his CDs. They could read characters' emails and chat transcripts and even sift through their virtual trash bins. 

According to show writer Jeffrey Stepakoff, dawsonscreek.com allowed fans not only to discuss the show but also to provide input on what they wanted to see next. The feedback from viewers had a significant impact on the direction of the series, and staff members were hired specifically to interact with fans online on a regular basis.

29. Dawson’s Creek Was Shown In 50 Countries

The show enjoyed a wide international broadcast, reaching over 50 countries. It achieved particular popularity in Australia, where it consistently ranked number one in its time slot on Network Ten for multiple episodes and garnered high ratings throughout seasons one to four. Reruns of the show are frequently aired on 9Go! in Australia. 

In the UK, the show initially aired on Channel 4 but later moved to Channel 5 for its final two seasons. Starting in 2007, reruns of the show began airing on weekdays on Channel 5's sister channel, 5Star. From April 2011, it was broadcast on Sony Channel on the Sky digital platform. In November 2017, the entire series became available on Channel 4's streaming service, All 4. The show was also broadcast on Yle in Finland.

30. Dawson’s Creek Was Highly Anticipated Due To Its Explicit Dialogue

Dawson's Creek gained significant attention and publicity even before its premiere, sparking discussions and concerns among television critics and consumer watchdog groups about its potentially provocative storylines and explicit dialogue. 

Columnist John Leo referred to the show as "While Parents Cringe," criticising its explicit content and stating, "The first episode contains a good deal of chatter about breasts, genitalia, masturbation, and penis size. Then the title and credits come on and the story begins."

31. Dawson’s Creek Was Called The “Crudest…Show Aimed At Kids”

The Parents Television Council declared Dawson's Creek as the worst program of the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons, citing it as "the crudest of the network shows aimed at kids." 

They expressed concerns about its focus on premarital sexual activity, references to pornography and condoms, and the show's acceptance of homosexuality. 

Former UPN President Lucie Salhany criticised The WB for airing Dawson's Creek, stating that it featured adolescent characters in adult situations during an early time slot when the network was supposed to be "the family network." However, the National Organization for Women offered an endorsement, considering it one of the least sexually exploitative shows on the air.

A significant point of criticism was the show's early decision to explore a romantic relationship between a high school student and a teacher, which garnered much attention and controversy.

32. Many Critics Felt Dawson’s Creek Was Pandering To Audiences

Initial reviews of the series were a mix of positive and negative. The season premiere attracted considerable commentary about its perceived explicit content and the teens' preoccupation with sex. 

Negative reviews criticised the show for its lack of realism, particularly the overly verbose dialogue spoken by the teenage characters, which People magazine found strained credibility. 

The Observer described the show as "simply misguided and misconceived," portraying hyper-articulate and self-conscious teenagers as if they were part of a catalogue. 

Tom Shales of The Washington Post labelled creator Kevin Williamson as the "most overrated wunderkind in Hollywood" and accused him of pandering.

33. Dawson’s Creek Was Award Winning

Dawson's Creek received numerous award nominations, including ALMA Awards, Casting Society of America Awards, Golden Satellite Awards, TV Guide Awards, and YoungStar Awards. 

In 2000, the show was honored with a SHINE Award for consistently addressing sexual health issues on television. 

Throughout its run, the series, its crew, and the young cast received multiple nominations, winning six awards. Joshua Jackson won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Actor three times, and the show itself won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Drama twice. It also received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Drama Series.

34. Dawson’s Creek Grew The WB’s Ad Revenue To Over Half A Billion Dollars

Although Dawson's Creek may not have achieved massive ratings compared to major networks like NBC, ABC, and CBS, it found success among its target audience of younger viewers and became a defining show for the WB Network.

Dawson’s Creek became the highest-rated program among female teenagers at the time and contributed significantly to the WB's ad revenue, which soared from $100 million in 1996 to over half a billion dollars in 1999. 

35. The Dawson’s Creek Pilot Attracted 6.8 Million Viewers

The pilot episode attracted 6.8 million viewers and achieved a 4.8 rating, quickly becoming the network's highest-ranked show within two months. The first season's highest-rated episode was the finale, ranking fifty-ninth overall, while the second highest-rated episode was the second one. This could be attributed, in part, to other major networks airing President Clinton's State of the Union address during the Lewinsky scandal instead of their regular programming. The series finale itself reached its largest audience ever, with 7.3 million U.S. viewers tuning in.

36. Dawson’s Creek Had A “Semi Spin Off”

According to Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, Dawson’s Creek had what they referred to as a "semi-spinoff" called Young Americans. The character Will Krudski (played by Rodney Scott) was introduced in three episodes towards the end of Dawson's Creek's third season. He was depicted as a friend of Dawson, Joey, and Pacey who had previously moved away and returned to Capeside for a visit. Will's character had never been mentioned before this storyline and did not appear in the series again after the season three episode "Show Me Love." 

Young Americans, consisting of eight episodes, was produced by the same company as Dawson's Creek, Columbia TriStar Television, and aired in Dawson's Creek's time slot during the show's summer break in 2000. 

It is considered a semi-spin-off because the character of Will was not originally created for Dawson's Creek but was introduced in the show to set up and establish the premise of Young Americans.

37. There Is A Criticised Argentine Remake Of Dawson’s Creek

Dawson's Creek served as inspiration for the Argentine soap opera Verano del '98, which received criticism for being perceived as a thinly veiled copy of Dawson's Creek. Additionally, the 2007 youth drama series Kavak Yelleri is a Turkish remake of the show.

A Turkish version of Dawson's Creek called Kavak Yelleri (2007) was produced.

38. There Are 15 Dawson’s Creek Novels

To complement Dawson’s Creek, Simon & Schuster published a series of fifteen mass-market paperback novelizations based on Dawson's Creek. Before joining the show's staff as episode writers, Liz Tigelaar and Anna Fricke had written a young adult suspense-themed series that served as a companion to the show.

39. Dawson’s Creek Showcased Breakthrough Artists

Dawson's Creek had a significant impact on shaping the television music culture of teen and other drama series in the late 1990s and early 2000s by curating popular music and breaking artists from the independent and alternative rock genres. The show's executive Paul Stupin, music supervisor John McCullough, and co-producer Drew Matich played pivotal roles in overseeing the musical elements of the episodes, making creative decisions, and helping artists rise to fame.

The trio approached music as a way to convey emotions and enhance the storytelling, seeking songs that would underplay whole sequences while allowing viewers to enjoy the music alongside dialogue. 

Paul Stupin would spend hours in the editing room with the editor, reviewing numerous song candidates sent over by McCullough, often comparing ten or fifteen songs against each scene. Recommendations for music inclusion came from various sources, including writers, editors, co-producers, and Sony Music executives.

40. There Is A Two Volume Dawson’s Creek Soundtrack

Dawson's Creek spawned two volumes of soundtrack albums. The first album, "Songs from Dawson's Creek," was released after the first season and became a worldwide success, reaching the top of charts in multiple countries and selling over 1.5 million copies within six months. It was certified triple platinum in Australia and gold in the United States. 

The second soundtrack, "Songs from Dawson's Creek – Volume 2," was released in conjunction with the show's fourth season and achieved more modest success, peaking in the top twenty on certain charts.

41. Critics State Dawson’s Creek Was More Accessible For Teens Than Other Shows

Sandi Rankaduwa, in an article for BuzzFeed News, discussed why Dawson’s Creek resonated with young people who were coming of age during turbulent times like Columbine and 9/11. She noted that the series provided comfort for viewers by portraying confused, outsider teens who were more self-aware than the adults around them. 

The characters' struggles and successes in a controlled space became therapeutic, offering a sense of stability and relatability. The accessible stories of the Creek teens stood in contrast to the glamorous lifestyles depicted in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and The O.C. 

42. Pacey And Joey’s Relationship Was Voted One Of The Best Of All Time

The romantic relationship between Pacey and Joey was recognized by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 100 Best TV Romances of All Time. 

The season three finale episode, "True Love," was ranked at number 50 on The Ringer's list of 100 Best TV Episodes of the Century. Jack McPhee's character was considered groundbreaking for its portrayal of a gay role on television, and his kiss with Ethan marked the first romantic kiss between two gay male characters on primetime TV.

43. Dawson’s Creek Is Cited As The Reason We Have Many Teen Dramas

Kristen Baldwin of EW argued that without Dawson's Creek and its contemporary Buffy the Vampire Slayer, we would not have had the hyper-verbal, pop culture-obsessed teens of shows like Riverdale, Felicity, Charmed, Popular, Freaks and Geeks, Roswell, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, One Tree Hill, and The O.C. 

44. Entertainment Weekly Released 5 Collectible Dawson’s Creek Covers

In 2018, the cast reunited for the series' 20th anniversary, with Entertainment Weekly featuring five different collectible covers for their print issue. The reunion led to a quadruple increase in streaming traffic for the series on Hulu.

45. Kevin Williamson Wouldn’t Come Back For A Reboot

Regarding the possibility of a reboot, Katie Holmes expressed her love for the show's nostalgic pre-social media and pre-internet era, stating she likes where it currently stands. Kevin Williamson, the show's creator, shared that Dawson's Creek was an expression of himself at that specific point in time and that he would be happy to watch someone else take on a reboot, but he personally does not feel emotionally connected to bring it back himself.

46. Dawson’s Creek Has Been Parodied Across Other Shows

Dawson's Creek became a frequent subject of references in other media during its peak popularity. It was parodied in various forms, such as the animated series South Park and the children's sketch comedy show The Amanda Show, which featured a recurring soap opera parody segment called "Moody's Point." The series was also spoofed at the 1998 MTV Movie Awards and in the film Scary Movie, where James Van Der Beek made a cameo appearance.

47. James Van Der Beek’s Crying Face Became A Meme

One particular scene from Dawson's Creek, featuring Dawson's crying face, became a meme that James Van Der Beek has acknowledged. The emotional expression captured in that moment resonated with internet users and became a widely used image in online culture.

48. Katie Holmes And Joshua Jackson Dated In Real Life

Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were in a real-life relationship during the early stages of the show.

49. Dawson’s Necklace Was Made By Van Der Beek’s Mother

The necklace worn by Dawson in every episode was created by James Van Der Beek's Mother. The wardrobe team designed each outfit around this necklace, making it a central element of Dawson's wardrobe.

50. Did You Notice Pacey’s The Mighty Ducks Reference?

In Season 1, Episode 7, titled "Detention," Dawson references The Breakfast Club (1985) and mentions the cast's supposed obscurity in television. Joshua Jackson's character, Pacey, adds a comment about Emilio Estevez and his role in the "duck movies," referring to Jackson's own involvement in the Mighty Ducks film series with Estevez.

51. Smith And Jackson Directed Dawson’s Creek Episodes

Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee) and Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter) are the only two series regulars who directed an episode during the show's six-season run.

52. Dawson’s Bedroom Included Props From Scream

Props from Kevin Williamson's films Scream (1996) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) were frequently used on Dawson's Creek, particularly in Dawson's bedroom.

53. Every Season 1 Episode Begins In Dawson’s Room

Every episode in Season 1 begins in Dawson's room and it took seven days to shoot each episode.

54. Joey Was Inspired By Fannie Norwood

The character of Joey was inspired by Fannie Norwood, a close friend of Kevin Williamson. Williamson incorporated elements from their friendship into Joey's character, creating a personal connection.

55. Van Der Beek Is A Fitting Name!

Coincidentally, James Van Der Beek's surname, "Van Der Beek," means "from the creek" in Dutch. It is a common name in the Netherlands, although the "Van Der" affix is typically written in lowercase letters, resulting in alphabetical sorting under "B" for "Beek."

56. Hilariously Dawson’s Creek Is One Of Three WB Shows That Swear

Dawson's Creek is one of three The WB television shows to say the word "shit." The other two are Everwood (2002) (with the sound muted) and One Tree Hill (2003).

57. Did You Notice The Sweet Valley High Connection?

Brittany Daniel, who played Eve Whitman, previously starred in the Saturday morning sitcom Sweet Valley High (1994). In the Dawson's Creek episode "Indian Summer," she refers to Dawson's friends as "Sweet Valley High extras."

58. There Is A Halloween H2O: 20 Years Later Connection

In Season 6, Episode 6, titled "Living Dead Girl," Jensen Ackles' character, C.J., mentions watching Halloween H2O: 20 Years Later (1998). This is a reference to Michelle Williams, who starred in that film as Molly.

59. There Is A One Tree Hill Crossover

Chad Michael Murray appeared in this show, Gilmore Girls (2000), and One Tree Hill (2003). All around the same time. James Van Der Beek even appeared on One Tree Hill (2003) during the 6th season.

60. There Are Several Tom Cruise References In Dawson’s Creek

There are several references to Tom Cruise in the early seasons of Dawson’s Creek. Joey and Dawson are seen watching a scene from Jerry Maguire (1996). Later, Pacey is seen watching the same film during his school suspension. Pacey and Eve, Jen's half-sister, convince Dawson to let them use his house for a Risky Business (1983)-inspired fundraiser to cover the costs of a boat mishap caused by Eve. 

Katie Holmes, who had a relationship with Joshua Jackson during the series, later became the third Mrs.Tom Cruise.

61. It’s Mrs. Tingle For A Reason

In a scene where Joey and Jen discuss their plan to get back at Warren Goering, Joey mentions her teacher, Mrs. Tringle, wanting her to take a class on baby care. This is a reference to the film Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999).

62. Bodie Was Originally George Gaffney

The character of Bodie was played by George Gaffney in the pilot episode but was portrayed by Obi Ndefo for the rest of the series.

63. Dawson’s Creek Was The Last TV Show To Be Dubbed In Portuguese

Dawson's Creek was the last television series to be dubbed in Portuguese in Portugal. Subtitles became the standard for foreign television series thereafter.

64. Dawson’s Watch Has A Theodore Herzl Inscription

The inscription on the back of Dawson's watch reads "If you will, it is no dream," a quote by Theodore Herzl, a visionary of Israel.

65. There Is A Rules Of Engagement Connection

Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kajlich, who appeared as Eddie Doling and Natasha Kelly, on Dawson's Creek, later played an engaged couple on the show Rules of Engagement (2007).

66. Kevin Williamson Has Used The Nickname “Grams” Twice

The nickname "Grams" was used for both Jen Lindley's grandmother in Dawson's Creek and Bonnie Bennett's grandmother in The Vampire Diaries (2009), both of which were series created by Kevin Williamson. The nickname was also used for a grandmother character in Charmed (1998).

Rosemary Forsyth auditioned for the role of Evelyn "Grams" Ryan.

67. Ken Marino Has Played Two David Wilders

Ken Marino, who was David Wilder on Dawson's Creek, also played a character with the same name on Californication (2007).

68. Meredith Monroe And Busy Philipps Never Had A Scene Together

Although Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps had important roles in the series, they never appeared in an episode together.

69. Kevin Williamson Never Consulted Katie Couric For The Masturbation Joke

In a January 2023 interview, Kevin Williamson revealed that he came up with the phrase "walks the dog" in the pilot episode as a substitute for "masturbates," which couldn't be said on TV. He chose to have Dawson admit to masturbating every morning while watching the Today show host Katie Couric because he was a fan of the show and a fan of Couric. 

Williamson admitted he didn't seek Couric's permission for the reference and wasn't aware if she saw it or commented on it.

70. Katie Holmes and Dawson Share The Same Birthday

Interestingly, Dawson and Katie Holmes share the same birthday, December 18th. Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) is the only character who appears in all 128 episodes.

71. There Is A Baywatch Connection

Michelle Williams (Jennifer Lindley) and Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee) both appeared in an episode of Baywatch (1989).

72. 4 Twin Peaks Actors Appeared In Dawson’s Creek

Four actors from Twin Peaks made guest appearances on Dawson's Creek: Dana Ashbrook as Rich Rinaldi (9 episodes), Mädchen Amick as Nicole Kennedy (3 episodes), Sherilyn Fenn as Alex Pearl (3 episodes), and Ray Wise as Roger Stepavich (1 episode). However, except for Ray Wise's appearance alongside Dana Ashbrook, the characters never appeared together in the same episodes and were not related to each other.

73. There Is A NCIS Connection

Sasha Alexander, who played Gretchen Witter, Pacey's sister, and Pauley Perrette, who portrayed Dr. Rachel Weir Ph.D. (two episodes, 2001), Dawson's therapist, went on to appear in NCIS (2003) as Caitlin Todd (fifty-two episodes, 2003-2005) and Abby Scuito (2003-2018), respectively.

74. There Is A Teen Wolf Connection

Ian Bohen (Anderson Crawford, one episode, 1998) and Melissa Ponzio (female student, three episodes, 2001-2002) both appeared in Teen Wolf (2011).

75. There Is A House Connection

Meredith Monroe (Andie McPhee), Scott Foley (Cliff Elliot), and Jennifer Morrison (Melanie Shea Thompson) all had roles in House (2004).

76. Monica Keena Asked To Be Removed From The Show

Monica Keena requested her character Abby Morgan to be written out of the series due to personal reasons. Her boyfriend was living in New York City, and she didn't enjoy being in Wilmington, North Carolina, where the show was filmed. As a result, Abby's death was incorporated into the storyline.

77. Kevin Williamson Disliked Some Of The Storylines In Season 3 & 4

According to interviews, Kevin Williamson, the creator of Dawson’s Creek, disliked Eve's storyline in Season 3 and Andie's departure in Season 4. He expressed that he felt the audience turned against Andie, and he didn't believe it was necessary for them to feel that way.

78. Dylan Neal Praised Dawson’s Creek For It’s Gay Rights Stance

In 2018, Dylan Neal, who played Doug Witter, shared his thoughts on Dawson’s Creek and his character. He expressed his happiness with how things unfolded between Jack and Doug, highlighting the significance of their final moments together and how it symbolised their love. He also praised the show for tackling gay rights and themes with care and honesty, especially at a time when other networks were hesitant to do so.

Dylan Neal briefly left the show during Season 2 to work on another series called "Hyperion Bay" on The WB. The producers had plans to further explore Doug's character and his closeted homosexuality in Season 2, but Neal's sudden departure made it impossible. However, Doug's homosexuality was eventually revealed in the final season of the show.

79. Melissa McBride Plays Two Characters

In Season 1, Episode 9, titled "Road Trip," Dawson and Pacey visit a bar with their friend Billy, where Dawson decides to strike up a conversation with a girl named "Nina," portrayed by Melissa McBride. Interestingly, in the series finale, titled "...Must Come to an End," Joey's boss is named Melanie (credited only) and is also played by Melissa McBride.

80. There Is A Really Eerie Fan Theory Surrounding Dawson

There was an online theory surrounding the show's title, "Dawson's Creek." The theory suggested that in the finale, Dawson would commit suicide, and his body would fall into a creek, thus connecting to the title. However, this theory was proven false, and Dawson did not commit suicide at the end of the series.

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