‘Dawson’s Creek’ Cast: Behind-the-Scenes Real-Life Romances

Getting to see our favorite on-screen romances bleed into real life is everything we want and more, and that’s exactly what happened behind-the-scenes of Dawson’s Creek. Check in with the show’s stars and see who they ended up with after the series came to an end in 2003.

1. Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson

If you were a fan of Joey and Pacey, you'd love to know that the two actors dated for a while in real life. Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson met when Dawson’s Creek began filming in 1997 and soon began dating. And while their relationship on-screen didn’t begin until season 3, Holmes and Jackson’s real-life relationship lasted from 1997 to 1998.

Holmes addressed the rumored relationship and told Rolling Stone in 1998, “I'm just going to say that I met somebody last year. I fell in love, I had my first love, and it was something so incredible and indescribable that I will treasure it always.” However, she confirmed at the time that the relationship had ended. “I feel so fortunate, because he's now one of my best friends. He's been in the business so long, and he's really helped me. I respect him as a friend and as a professional.”

The on-screen couple, as noted, began dating in season 3 of the series and had an on and off relationship until the end of the show, when they finally ended up together.

2. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise

In 2005, Holmes began dating famed actor Tom Cruise. The two took part in a whirlwind romance and tied the knot in November 2006 after welcoming their daughter, Suri Cruise.

“When I met Tom, I was completely in love, and, yes, I admired him growing up — he's Tom Cruise!” Holmes said in an interview. Cruise also declared his love for the actress while on The Oprah Winfrey Show, by jumping on the couch and professing his feelings. The two remained married until they split in 2012 and Holmes filed for divorce.

3. Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith

Joshua Jackson met his former wife, Jodie Turner-Smith, in 2018 at a birthday party. “I saw him before he saw me and when I saw him, I was like, ‘I want that,’” Turner-Smith said. “And then when he saw me, I just pretended like I didn't see him.”

In August 2019, the couple sparked marriage rumors, which they confirmed in December of that year. Jackson and Turner-Smith welcomed a baby girl in April 2020. However, their seemingly idyllic marriage came to an end in 2023, but it seems they remain peaceful co-parents.

4. Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger

Michelle Williams, who portrayed Jen Lindley on the series, met Heath Ledger in 2004 while on set of their movie Brokeback Mountain. Their co-stars Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal explained there was a connection from the start. “I remember being in rehearsal, and the two of them had googly eyes with each other,” Gyllenhaal explained. Hathaway continued, “There were sparks immediately. It was adorable.”

The couple eventually welcomed daughter Matilda Rose in 2005, and continued to date until 2007. Ledger passed just a few months later in January 2008.

5. James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek

Although Dawson and Joey didn’t end up together, James Van Der Beek, who portrayed Dawson Leery, had his own love at first sight story. He met his now-wife, Kimberly, in 2009 in Israel. Van Der Beek recalled meeting his wife in an Instagram post, writing, “I was in Israel, on a trip with an organized group, when it hit me: I was done being single. I wanted a real relationship … a voice interrupted us, wanting to ask him a question. I was annoyed. Who the hell was stepping all over my moment? I turned around... it was [Kimberly].”

The couple wed in 2010, eventually welcomed six children together and are still happily married today.

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